Substrate Question

Hi guys,

I just recently got my big and really nice new cage for Sammy. Up to now, I have only been using paper towels in her cage. I want to make her new cage all nice. What type of substrate would be best? I have heard that coconut fiber is good...is that correct (something like Zoo Med Eco Earth Bricks)? I was also tempted to use fir wood chips... Any ideas, comments, or better suggestions?

Thanks,
Melanie

I suggest aspen....

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Originally Posted by juddb

I suggest aspen....

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I second that.. but I use newspaper and I love it, but what ever works for you is fine.
Hope this helps

i concur with aspen in aquariums... cushions those late night escape attempt falls. those silly bastards!

Well as far as asthetic displays like tanks.... But i have racks and have an awesome paper towel hook up :shh: so in my racks i use paper towels, but from time to time if someone isnt eating right i switch them to aspen.

i use the t-rex coco husk chunks. looks nice, cushions the failed "late night escape attempts" and as of yet hasn't gone down at dinner time :)

Hmmm... I guess aspen it is (by an overwhelming majority!)... :)

I thought I had read that it wasn't ideal because of it being so small and that it could end up being ingested? That's why I didn't have it in my options, is that wrong?

Thanks again,
Melanie

As long as the snake isn't ingesting copious amounts of bedding with every meal(a little mouse with your bedding?), he'll be fine.

Snakes can digest bone, teeth, keratin, so a little cellulose isn't going to pose a problem.

Have you used newspaper before? Ever seen how much urine really comes out of one tiny snake? Makes you never want to spot clean again. With newspaper and other paper substrates, when it's clean, it's clean, and you're not left with this huge heaping puddle of urine sitting underneath the substrate.

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Originally Posted by SatanicIntention

Have you used newspaper before? Ever seen how much urine really comes out of one tiny snake? Makes you never want to spot clean again. With newspaper and other paper substrates, when it's clean, it's clean, and you're not left with this huge heaping puddle of urine sitting underneath the substrate.

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Good point... Yeah, I do see huge spots on her paper towels... :P Do you just lay the newspaper flat or do you shred it first? Would the ink affect her?

Melanie

Yep, I just lay it out flat. You can also put some aspen on top of the newspaper(not a full layer, just some handfuls of aspen to lightly cover the paper). Helps with absorption.

The ink is soy-based and is harmless. You could probably eat the paper if you wanted to :)

I was using aspen and it was good. I didnt care too much for its light color so I switched to cypress mulch and I really really like it. It helps keep the humidity up too. Cypress mulch is a little more expensive than aspen but I think thats what i am going to continue to use. Here is a pick of my setup.


Click here for picture.

Last question... if I have a cage with heating tape built into the bottom of the cage, does that pose a risk for fire if I use newspaper? On the warm end, I would keep a temperature of 93F.

Melanie

No because 93F isnt really all that hot if you think about it. Our body temperature is 98.6F on average. So there is no need in worrying about the tape getting so hot that it catches the newspaper on fire. Now an electrical fire is a different story but you have the same probability of heat tape causing it as any other electrical appliance.