Uber Battle: Newspaper vs. Cypress vs. Aspen

Hey y'all: I have a 9 tub cb-70 rack system, with expanded pvc tops (few holes poked in). I've been using Cypress in the hopes of keeping a higher humidity for my Balls -- but thinking of switching to Newspaper or Aspen for ease of use/ cost.

Any thoughts or experiences on what works best/ what you use for your own Balls: Cypress, Newspaper, or Aspen?

I like unprinted newsprint. Once you have more than a few snakes any other substrate becomes more trouble than its worth. I know some that use Aspen or Cypress only spot clean and then change it once in a while. For me that is not good enough. I like things to be clean, not just look clean :)

I'm using indented KRAFT paper. So far, I really like it. It makes cleaning quick and easy whenever I need to do it. :) Though regular newspaper/unprinted newspaper would do the job, too.

i use newsprint. to me spot cleaning just doesn't seem clean enough and it's way easier and cheaper to use newsprint.

unless it is super dry where you are you should be fine with newsprint in a rack system. even if it is dry you should be able to adjust by covering some of the holes in your tubs or the tops.

If you plan on breeding, I would go with some type of newsprint/kraft paper/etc ... Mulch, Aspen, Sani-Chips are too often the cause of hemipenal infections on breeding males ... nothing worse than having a valued breeder male loose his mojo due to bedding.

Paper is cheap, plentiful, and when you clean it, it's 100% clean everytime!

Just my humble opinion of course.

-adam

Paper is easy to get and cheap. Aspen is also cheap, but you'll be tracking little chips all over your house (drives me insane).

I used to use loose bedding on everyone, but ever since I switched, I've never wanted to go back. Changing flat bedding is just 100% more clean than spot cleaning, and the snakes don't seem to mind the switch.

Newspaper/print/paper in general can't be beat.. In shed times, I put in a handful of aspen shavings (not shreds) and spray it down; gives a place for moisture to linger and create humidity..

Paper is my favorite because you can't be lazy with your husbandry...when it's dirty, you can't spot clean - you have to replace it.

Paper is FANTASTIC, whether kraft, newsprint, butcher, etc. I use kraft paper for almost everything.

K~

Thanks for the input! I'm still tinkerin' with my setup so I'll probably try a little Kraft Paper on my next batch of Balls shippin' in from Vin Russo this week. Cypress is hard to get outside of pet stores (where it is 11 bucks for a small bag) in the Bay Area anyways...

Just a Quickie for KRAFT users: Are you ordering it in huge rolls online or can you pick up the stuff at your friendly neighborhood Office Depot?

i use newspaper.easier to clean and cheap.

this could be a dumb question, but doesnt the heat tape get to hot and would maybe burn the snake without the little layer of bedding? wouldnt newspaper be to thin?

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Originally Posted by djansen

this could be a dumb question, but doesnt the heat tape get to hot and would maybe burn the snake without the little layer of bedding? wouldnt newspaper be to thin?

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Not if you set your temps with a thermostat.

I really like paper towels!!!! :salute:

I use to use reptibark but since going to the rack and unprinted newspaper all I have to say is " what the heck took me so long to change".
Paper is so the way to go on so many levels most of which has already been posted. Easy to clean, quick, and w/ unprinted paper you can see if any mites or etc pop in.
As for the heat/burn, like stated use a T-stat and you can layers the sheets of newspaper until you get it just right.

Papers rock !

I like plain old paper towel the best for obvious reasons. cost and ease of cleaning. I also like it because if your only spot cleaning aspen you are at much bigger risk of mite infestation. As far as mites go they dont have many places to hide on paper towels and you can see them much easier.

Paper towel is a good choice for hatchlings but be very careful w/ bigger snakes. If ingested it won't break down and can/will cause major impaction and death. Also, you are at no risk of mite infection unless you bring new animals in to your collection. Mites just don't appear out of nowhere. :)

True but if you are feeding live in your tank which I do mice or rats can bring the mites with them.

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Originally Posted by moespeaking

True but if you are feeding live in your tank which I do mice or rats can bring the mites with them.

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Mice or rats don't carry snake mites.

for boas i use kraft paper. but for balls i use aspen sani chips.

I guess I was lied to then.

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Originally Posted by truch

Just a Quickie for KRAFT users: Are you ordering it in huge rolls online or can you pick up the stuff at your friendly neighborhood Office Depot?

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I didn't check at Office Depot for KRAFT paper...I probably should have. But I did call packing/paper companies in my area back home and none of them carried it. I was looking for indented KRAFT paper.

So, I ordered it off the net in a large roll :) It also comes in sheets--but they're a little pricier.

http://www.uline.com/
did you get it from here

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Originally Posted by jglass38

Mice or rats don't carry snake mites.

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unfortunately, if you're buying live food for your pets, it can happen.
I learned the hard way that my favorite pet store (In Oklahoma City) was "recycling" the uneaten animals.
I've picked up mites twice from such situations. :(

I used aspen for a while but the stuff sticks to your clothes and will get dragged out onto the carpet and makes a huge mess.

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Originally Posted by MATT FISHER REPTILES

http://www.uline.com/
did you get it from here

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Nope--I got it from www.CentralPack.com

It was cheaper than ULine...which is why I went with that.

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Originally Posted by SnakieMom

unfortunately, if you're buying live food for your pets, it can happen.
I learned the hard way that my favorite pet store (In Oklahoma City) was "recycling" the uneaten animals.
I've picked up mites twice from such situations. :(

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What most likely happened is you brought home mite eggs on your clothing. Snake mites are host specific.