aspen question

So I waned to try aspen with one of my bps and did some research on aspen and found that some of the mall pieces can get shoved in between the scales. My question is have any of u that use aspen had that happen before?

All I have used so far is aspen and have not had a problem as of yet

I was using aspen, but switched to cypress mulch. It holds the humidity much better and it's cheaper!

I also haven't had any issues using it

I really have a hard time seeing that happen

That does sound weird. I guess that could happen, but it would be super uncommon. Getting a needle between their scales and through their skin is pretty hard. They have very tough skin. My hatchlings get aspen and sometimes my adult females get aspen and I haven't had any issues with it.

Cool. Thanks guys. I use repti bark for them right now but one of my bps. Doesn't seem to like it so I wanted to try something new for him. Lol

I see that frequently. I use sani chips they are quite sharp little squares. In the last 4 months I have had to remove a handful of chips under scales keel scales in every case I thought to give sani chips a try over coco coir when after many years I had a fleck under a scale. The aspen sani chips proved to be far worse. I am switching back as soon as the last bag is gone.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I just checked my big girl to see if there was one. There sort of was, this is just under a scale but mine sometimes get chips fully under a scale. I usually hold the snake under tepid water stream and pinch the scale so it opens a bit and allow water to wash it free.

http://images16.fotki.com/v368/photo...MG_3100-vi.jpgHosted on Fotki

Wow good to know. Might as well use the bag I got then back to repti bark or coconut husk. Thanks for all the info guys.

That said I have only seen it on my adults, never on the smaller snakes Juno in the photo is quite large around 4000 gm.

I've only had that happen with Exo Terra Forrest Floor. That stuff gave me splinters as well on an almost daily basis. Only lasted a week.

What u guys recamend I have tried eco earth and repti bark. Both are good and would use again but what else is really good for bps besides paper towls and newspaper.

I've used:

Aspen
Cypress Mulch
Eco-Earth
Paper towels
Butchers paper
Newspaper
& Corrugated wrap

With my BP's all have their advantages and disadvantages.

Cypress and eco earth are great for boosting humidity, Aspen looks good and smells good, but all three of these can be a mess and a pain to deal with in larger cages (in my opinion) Personally I prefer paper as it provides the cleanest/most sterile environment for my BP's. If I wasn't using paper based substrates I would use eco-earth.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Personally I prefer paper as it provides the cleanest/most sterile environment for my BP's. If I wasn't using paper based substrates I would use eco-earth.

---

x2

Paper towels are the only substrate documented to cause death if ingested. I'd not suggest it.

Personally coco coir it my fav I keep trying other things and keep going back the super low cost the resistance to mold and such and huge absorbency, water holding ability. Keep bringing me back.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jasonmcgilvrey83

What u guys recamend I have tried eco earth and repti bark. Both are good and would use again but what else is really good for bps besides paper towls and newspaper.

---

CoCo Husk or Aspen. I've never had that issue with the chip between the scale and like kite said, it's a 4000 gram snake.

CoCo Husk holds humidity pretty decently and I wouldn't keep a snake on Eco Earth, but that's just me. Cypress Mulch or Forest Floor is good as well though I recall somebody saying Cypress Mulch is facing some environmental issues with the demand for all the mulch and what not, so I'd be concerned at how long until they take actions against it.

I have said cyprus is not a 'green' choice. Cyprus lumber is uncommon but mulch is. Grinding whole trees for wood chips is hardly a great option especially given the slow growth of cyprus trees. Coco coir (aka, eco earth, coco husk, coconut husk) is a by product of coconut harvest. Years ago the husk was just discarded.

I'm pretty new to BP's but I use EcoEarth(the condensed bricks) and my girl seems to like it a lot. She doesn't really "burrow" in it, but in her hide she makes a nice little circular depression.

It's easy to clean to because all the waste sits on top and I just skim the top clean and add more if necessary.

I also feed in a separate cardboard box so I don't have to worry about her accidentally ingesting it or her thinking its strike time when I get her out to handle or clean...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Expensive hobby

I also feed in a separate cardboard box so I don't have to worry about her accidentally ingesting it or her thinking its strike time when I get her out to handle or clean...

---

This is a myth, but its on of those thing you are going to have to try for your self. When I started out with BPs over 2 years ago I did the same thing took the snake out put in tote fed it in there thinking it would make it less agressive. If a BP is going to bite you its going to bit you regardless of what you do, or where you feed it.

I also use Aspen, never had a problem with it yet. I do plan to switch over to news paper here soon because it is cheaper.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BTennant

This is a myth, but its on of those thing you are going to have to try for your self. When I started out with BPs over 2 years ago I did the same thing took the snake out put in tote fed it in there thinking it would make it less agressive. If a BP is going to bite you its going to bit you regardless of what you do, or where you feed it.

I also use Aspen, never had a problem with it yet. I do plan to switch over to news paper here soon because it is cheaper.

---

I don't think it has an overall influence on the snakes aggression, but I do believe 100% that they know where their food comes from and where they are supposed to eat.

She has never even coiled back in her tank, but in the box you can tell she means business...