Reptile Carpet

Is it possible to use something like the reptile carpet for your ball pythons? I bought some new PVC enclosures and the coconut substrate sticks to the sides in the back. In my bearded dragon cage I have them precut and I just tried them out every week when I clean the cage. The only thing that I could think of that wouldn’t be good is maybe it won’t hold humidity well. Any thoughts?


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As long as you can keep humidity where it needs to be it is fine to use.

I tried just the carpet and my snake didn't like it so I added a small amount of substrate over it and he is ok now. You will most likely get a lot of people telling you not to do it, but as long as you keep it clean and sanitary there should be no issues. I know people that have only used the carpet for many years and had no issues.

I would recommend paper towels over reptile carpet. Do you really want to deal with cleaning an item like that? But that’s just my 2 cents, ✌️.

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Originally Posted by Jaguar63122

Is it possible to use something like the reptile carpet for your ball pythons? I bought some new PVC enclosures and the coconut substrate sticks to the sides in the back. In my bearded dragon cage I have them precut and I just tried them out every week when I clean the cage. The only thing that I could think of that wouldn’t be good is maybe it won’t hold humidity well. Any thoughts?


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When I had a large BCI, I preferred actual indoor-outdoor carpet for her enclosure, the backless polyester kind you buy @ Home Depot or Lowes from huge rolls
by the foot...comes in nice colors, some with texture. Cut a couple to fit so always one ready for quick change. UTH heat rises nicely thru it & while it doesn't "hold"
extra humidity, you can put in a humid hide that will. It can be washed & sanitized (even a little bleach to kill germs won't change the color) for years, it holds up that
well. Hand washing it is of course the downside, but it's a "green option" & money-saver for sure, and gives heavy-bodied snakes good traction that doesn't slide out
of the way. I've never used "reptile carpet" from pet stores...even if similar, you'll pay a lot more money for something like that from a pet store than from home
improvement place, with fewer options (color & texture). Indoor-outdoor carpeting is fairly stiff but you can cut it easily with good scissors...best way is to cut bigger
than cage floor by about 6"...cut squares out of each corner so you are left with exact size of cage floor & can fold up "the flaps" created...that keeps feces from over-
flowing. (if/when you use bleach to disinfect it, don't use much & make sure NO trace of odor remains, or better yet, use other things to disinfect)

I personally don't like reptile carpet I think it's just nasty once it starts getting pooped and peed on... and who wants to be washing that all the time?

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I'm using Zoo med eco carpet with my new BP. I won't be using it for too long though, I just wanted something so that I can easily make sure the snake is doing ok. I actually like it so far, I just keep two of them and swap it out when needed.

For my dragon I have about 10 pieces precut and I change out when he goes to the restroom. Twice a week max. I know my snakes usually go once a week, but is the urate the only urine they produce?


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No, snakes pee.

I personally can't stand reptile carpet, especially for snakes.
If you did want to go that route, I'd follow the advice given by @Bogertophis. Years ago when I first got into keeping snakes I used the same stuff. We called it astroturf back then. But it's much more durable and easier to clean.

For certain species that require lower humidity, it might be ok. But for a BP and any species that requires higher humidity it'll be challenging.

Like I said, I tried it years ago and moved on from it. There are just better options in my opinion.

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Originally Posted by SquirmyPug

I'm using Zoo med eco carpet with my new BP. I won't be using it for too long though, I just wanted something so that I can easily make sure the snake is doing ok. I actually like it so far, I just keep two of them and swap it out when needed.

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I started using it on my vet's recommendation, and I like it so far. We bought several so it's just a matter of swapping them out and washing the dirty ones.

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Originally Posted by Jaguar63122

For my dragon I have about 10 pieces precut and I change out when he goes to the restroom. Twice a week max. I know my snakes usually go once a week, but is the urate the only urine they produce?


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Actually it's amazing the quantity of urine that can come out of them I was shocked

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Originally Posted by mandymg86

I started using it on my vet's recommendation, and I like it so far. We bought several so it's just a matter of swapping them out and washing the dirty ones.

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Every option (for substrate) has a down-side. You wouldn't enjoy the carpet with a room full of snakes to wash up after, but if you only have one or two snakes, I think
it's a great option too. I don't care for the "astro-turf" though, it tends to shed little pieces all the time...I like the actual indoor-outdoor carpet. But we don't all like the
same things...:D

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Originally Posted by SquirmyPug

I'm using Zoo med eco carpet with my new BP. I won't be using it for too long though, I just wanted something so that I can easily make sure the snake is doing ok. I actually like it so far, I just keep two of them and swap it out when needed.

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Hi guys, first post here... really helpful forum, thanks!


I used Zoo Med eco carpet for my beardie for months but I found that it always eventually curled up somewhere - it was too thin/light. I found and switched to Coco CrashPad which is AMAZING - he loves it. I just got a ball python and am thinking of getting another one for her. It's hard to describe but it's almost like a thick, soft cushy forest floor. I bet it would hold humidity well, but I worry that it's too thick for the heat mat to penetrate. hmmmm

http://www.dbdpet.com/coco-crashpad-...m-liner-18x36/


In terms of your reptiles having bowel movements on the carpet, I give my beardie a short bath every morning and he poops in the water. I've had him almost a year now and he has never pooped in his cage, he's on a great routine. I'm hoping I can figure out my BP's bowel habits and do the same. I don't know why reptiles love pooping in water but I'm sure it has to do with not leaving as much of a smell for predators to find them.

If you do the carpet I would at least do a good bit of sphagnum moss. My guy loves to burrow under it.


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Thanks for the advice. I didn’t realize they urinate, I guess I thought they were like my bearded dragon. I think I might try with my 2 new baby balls since the amounts would be small, but for my adult I might look for something else. I don’t want to change more than once a week.


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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Every option (for substrate) has a down-side. You wouldn't enjoy the carpet with a room full of snakes to wash up after, but if you only have one or two snakes, I think
it's a great option too. I don't care for the "astro-turf" though, it tends to shed little pieces all the time...I like the actual indoor-outdoor carpet. But we don't all like the
same things...:D

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I agree 100%! We only have two snakes :)

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Originally Posted by mandymg86

I agree 100%! We only have two snakes :)

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One caution if using carpet: always feed snakes on a "plate" of some kind, otherwise their jaws open so wide that they can over-reach their f/t rodent and catch their
teeth in the carpet...:O If you're right there, don't panic, just gently hold their neck & un-hook their jaws. But better to avoid, as they panic quickly & pull back hard.