Is it ok to use plantation soil for a green tree python?
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08-21-2011, 12:02 AM
wwmjkd
soil is never a good idea for GTPs or any other python in my opinion. in fact, i believe it's on the list of substrates to be avoided, after pine and cedar. it may be 'safer' in the sense that it's non-toxic, but soil doesn't really hold moisture and will allow mold or bacteria to grow easily. it's also possible to get particulate stuck in the mouth or gums of your GTP and therefore poses a risk of infection. I'm certainly no authority and may be corrected, but I would not use it.
I use paper towels for my neonate and cypress for my adult GTP. cypress is cheap and almost as available as any kind of soil. and newspaper is the old standby for any snake if you're on a budget or out of options.
08-21-2011, 12:45 AM
kitedemon
plantation soil is basically coco coir with a mix of sizes I believe. I have not had a green tree but want one. With out checking I see no reason why a coco based product would be a problem less so as they typically do not spend time on the bottom of the enclosure but are in a perch most of the time.
Coco products have issues snakes sometimes get a mouth full but I have not seen any problems with them ridding it and passing it with out issue.
I don't think there is any substrate with out problems wood products have the same eating it issues worse as it is sharp splinters some times, I have had to pull seriously stuck bits out of one of mine. She went on to have a bowel obstruction requiring a vet to help with and that also was while on wood chip substrate I'll never use wood chips again.
My vet has operated on 3 snakes to remove paper towels that were eaten with a rat and that is absolutely impassable. care fresh seems good but is costly and I can't imagine eating a bunch of it is any better than anything else. newspaper has inks that are questionable and spot cleaning is impossible. You need to use something and everything has its pros and cons nothing is perfect. It is as always a matter of weighing the options against your situation and what is important to you and making the best choice you can.
08-21-2011, 01:34 AM
Francesco
I went and bought the soil. Hopefully it will be ok
There is a member here that has a friend in Germany that keeps his his snakes in eco balanced terrarium type set ups.
08-21-2011, 05:14 AM
wwmjkd
that's my fault. I thought it was dirt and didn't realize plantation soil was made of coconut husks. why on earth would they call it soil? I've heard mixed reviews about such products, but actually I know a few people who use it exclusively and mix it with sani-chips. at least holding moisture isn't an issue, and it might do well for arboreals. best of luck.
08-21-2011, 11:01 AM
Francesco
Thank you, I am sure it will do fine since he seats on a tree all day, but if it's a problem I will change it back to cypress mulch
08-21-2011, 02:14 PM
babyknees
I have been using Eco Earth with my GTP which is a coconut based substrate. I like it okay but I'm probably switching back to newspaper. I've given up on a naturalistic terrarium with him because he's destructive at night. Also he sort of fell with a rat one time and ended up ingesting some of the Eco Earth which I think may have led to some constipation issues. Also you can run the risk of molds building up in the substrate but you can disturb it on a regular basis to fight that.
08-21-2011, 03:26 PM
Francesco
Quote:
Originally Posted by babyknees
I have been using Eco Earth with my GTP which is a coconut based substrate. I like it okay but I'm probably switching back to newspaper. I've given up on a naturalistic terrarium with him because he's destructive at night. Also he sort of fell with a rat one time and ended up ingesting some of the Eco Earth which I think may have led to some constipation issues. Also you can run the risk of molds building up in the substrate but you can disturb it on a regular basis to fight that.
How do I disturb the mold?
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08-21-2011, 03:44 PM
babyknees
Play in the substrate lol. Just mix it up from time to time so it doesn't stay settled for too long. If you have good ventilation and not ridiculously high humidity it shouldn't be that much of a concern. It was something my vet warned me about when I told him that's the substrate I was using.
