best substrate?

What is the best substrate for ball-pythons?

I have been using an astroturf sort of thing and it works great but i was wondering if that is the best

I've tried all kinds. But so far astro is my favorite.

i use this stuff called lizzard liner: Terrarium carpet.
it ran for about 9.00$ at petco but u can use newspaper bc its cheap and ez to get. i just used that bc i wanted sumthin to look real but ez to clean

I guess it depends on what your priorities are. There are cheaper and easier to clean substrates, like newspaper and astroturf, but I like repti-bark because it holds humidity relatively well; air can circulate through (or around) it, and it looks nice (that's the girly side of me talking).

newspaper rules.

How do they do with the ink from the newsprint? I HAVE to assume it's safe and all - but does it ever rub off on thier bellies or give em a hard time getting traction? Sounds like a hands-down winner on ease-of-use and from a cost perspective to be sure.

I've never heard of the ink coming off. I think it's the oils on our fingers that makes it come off on our hands if we handle a lot of it. Snakes wouldn't have that problem.

Astro turf is the best! I've tried newspaper, cypress mulch, and forest bed as well, but nothing beats Astro turf as far as clean asthetics go.

i can keep the substrate squeaky clean in 5 tanks for 50 cents every month or so using newspaper.

I like titanium. Easy to clean, looks great, no problem spotting mites, non-toxic, never causes an impaction.

:lol:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marla

I like titanium. Easy to clean, looks great, no problem spotting mites, non-toxic, never causes an impaction.

:lol:

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LOL...and when you're done with it, you can put it in the titanium recycle bin where it gets made into a nuclear submarine! Very economical stuff!

That is correct. There is no need to ever throw away your titanium substrate because even used it has many potential uses. It's environmentally friendly!

:lol:

Lizard Liner gets my vote!

lizard liner is bomb for baby kingsnakes, i know that much. i almost named mine digger because of it, they burrow like it's their job.

I'm gonna use repti-bark does that sound okay?

I know there are some who use it, but I've also heard not to use it. Here's a link to a discussion on why not to from a well known cornsnake breeder:

http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=356076,356336

Not sure what to believe...

WOW! never heard that before thanks a lot!!

I currently use Cypress mulch for my BP, and have Repti-bark for my corn snake. Either one is a really good substrate, they both hold humidity really well. But I do have one complaint about the Repti-bark though. It can have a little dust with it when you pour it into the tank. I have seen some dust remains in my Corn's drinking water from where he has it on him, and has goes to soak or gets a drink. But I have not had any problems with it.

I was using astro turf (still do in the feed box), but am currently trying out this substrate made of crushed walnuts. Looks kinda like sand, but holds humidity pretty well and is SUPPOSED to be not a problem with accidental ingenstion. Apparently they get broken down to nothin in the tummy or simply pass right through. I DO NOT feed on it, tho. My pb seems to groove on it quite a bit. Although astroturf is a great shed tool being rough enough to get the face started.

We use repti-bark no probs. Def scoop it out by hand though instead of upending the bag to avoid that corner of particulate stuff. I agree it does a nice job of holding humidity and provides a surface for groovage. THis will not be an option as Neph gets bigger so we'll be trying a few different things.

I use the crushed walnut shells for my Kenyan Sand Boa ( i don't feed on it either). I love the look and smell of the stuff. Very easy to clean - just sift through it. I've been thinking of using it for my kingsnake and future hognose, but I've been unable to find out if anyone who keeps kings and hogs thinks it's a good idea. I suppose if I don't feed on it that it should still be okay. I figure since they are all burrowers they'd like it. Still can't decide between it and sanichips (aspen chips).....but I digress.

I have found that the best substrate is Jungle Mix Lizard litter.. It holds the humidity like nothing else...

What's it made of?