?substrate?

We have a tank that has housed many reptiles and previous snakes.

It currently has pebbles as the substrate, and I've never seen it listed as a substrate on a few sites. I'm wondering if that would be fine for my Ball Python. They are all round, and have no jagged points.



Also I was wondering about a heat rock that my dad had bought a long time ago, and paid a decent amount for it.

I know...Heat rocks can burn a snake.

But this thing isn't like the heat rocks stores sell now that obviously are fake. This thing I believe is a real rock, or they just did a fantastic job. It only gets warm, and doesn't have any hot spots.

I've held it in my hand for a long period of time seeing if it would start to fell hotter, but it doesn't. I don't see how it could harm my snake in any way.

Never heard of anyone using stones as substrate but i guess it could work? Just make sure your snake never eats one... As far as the heat rock... whats the point? Your snake isnt going to coil up ontop of the rock after a meal to help digest so really theyre kind of pointless for snakes IMO... UTH are used to help with digestion and provide a nice warm spot for your snake... A heat rock serves no real purpose for a snake.

The 2 biggest problems I can see with pebbles are they would be a complete pain to clean and disinfect. The other being Im not sure how well they would transfer heat. I dont think it is really a question of whether they would harm the snake or not. Its more of would they really provide the proper environmental conditions for the snake. I like cypress mulch myself cause it really helps keep the humidity up.

As far as the heat rock, I myself personally would not use it. I just wouldnt want to take any chances of it harming my snake cause there have been plenty of cases of severe snake burns and even snake deaths from heat rocks. I dont care how nice or expensive the heat rock is I just wouldnt use it. Its ultimitaley your decision all I can do is give you my opinion.

I'm no pro, but IMO that setup would be fine for something like a garter snake. BPs however, are much more "picky" about their environment. I doubt that you could, in a glass tank, get your temp and humidity levels up to where they need to be using pebbles, gravel, etc. In glass tanks, you'll probably have the best luck with cypress mulch or shredded cocnut bark (eco-earth, bed-a-beast, etc.)

As far as the heat rock...NO. DO NOT use it. The minimal benefits (if any) are not worth the giant risk. I'm sure after a few minutes searching Google for pics of heat rock related injuries, you will come to the same conclusion.

HTH
Tony

Yeah dont use the heat rock. That substrait could work but if u have a heating pad under the cage, make sure you put paper towels under neath the pebble substrait were the heat pad is located so that the heat pad is doesnt make the pebbles too hot.(the pebbles will then be like a heat rock) hope this helps!:D

And dont feed the snake in the cage with the pebbles. the pebbles could get stuck on the mice and the snake would eat rocks.(rocks are not digestable)

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Originally Posted by Classicrocker42o

It currently has pebbles as the substrate, and I've never seen it listed as a substrate on a few sites.

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That is probably because it isn't a typical subtrate used for ball pythons.

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Originally Posted by Classicrocker42o

Also I was wondering about a heat rock that my dad had bought a long time ago, and paid a decent amount for it.

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NO NO NO NO!

:O

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Originally Posted by Classicrocker42o

I know...Heat rocks can burn a snake..

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That says it all.

Why would you even consider risking it???

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Classicrocker42o

I've held it in my hand for a long period of time seeing if it would start to fell hotter, but it doesn't. I don't see how it could harm my snake in any way.

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FYI....what is "warm" for you is probably too hot...for your bp.

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Originally Posted by JoshJP7

Just make sure your snake never eats one... .

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Good luck with that.

:gj:

It would almost be inevitable that it would ingest some rocks while eating at some point.

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Originally Posted by JoshJP7

A heat rock serves no real purpose for a snake.

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Exactly.

;)

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Originally Posted by Ringo

they would be a complete pain to clean and disinfect. The other being Im not sure how well they would transfer heat. I dont think it is really a question of whether they would harm the snake or not. Its more of would they really provide the proper environmental conditions for the snake. .

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Great points.

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Originally Posted by AT6CL

I'm no pro, but IMO that setup would be fine for something like a garter snake. BPs however, are much more "picky" about their environment. I doubt that you could, in a glass tank, get your temp and humidity levels up to where they need to be using pebbles, gravel, etc. In glass tanks, you'll probably have the best luck with cypress mulch or shredded cocnut bark (eco-earth, bed-a-beast, etc.)

As far as the heat rock...NO. DO NOT use it.

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good post.

:gj:

I have also used newsprint as a subtrate in a glass viv. It does work but you have to get your temps and humidity right. And if you "mist"...you can't soak the paper.

I had no problem with the temp...just humidity. I just used a humid hide and it was fine.

;)

I found some "critter litter" in the shed today, it uses paper fibers in a cylinder shape. I didn't even know we had it, but it says it doesn't have any cedar or pine oils. The bag looks like a mouse or something might had chewed it open some.

This stuff would be a good substrate? It would probably keep more moisture than rocks. It also says it has been heated to kill any bacteria. Non-abrasive, and it's safe if swallowed.

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Originally Posted by Classicrocker42o

This stuff would be a good substrate?

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I am not sure what 'critter litter' is...but newspaper is just as effective.

;)

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Originally Posted by Classicrocker42o

It would probably keep more moisture than rocks.

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Ball Pythons do not need "moisture"...just heat and humidity.

:)

Well it's pretty much like news paper, just more appealing.
and I already have a bag of it..

I meant that it would help keep humidity in better than those rocks..

Hi,:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Classicrocker42o

I found some "critter litter" in the shed today, it uses paper fibers in a cylinder shape. I didn't even know we had it, but it says it doesn't have any cedar or pine oils. The bag looks like a mouse or something might had chewed it open some.

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Personally I'd throw it out or keep it for another pet.

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Originally Posted by Classicrocker42o

This stuff would be a good substrate? It would probably keep more moisture than rocks. It also says it has been heated to kill any bacteria. Non-abrasive, and it's safe if swallowed.

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Well the moisture, as has been said, isn't you major worry (unless there's a reason you think it will be? ). The heated to kill bacteria went completely out the window as soon as the bag was opened - especially if it was chewed open by a wild animal. It's not likely to cause your snake any problem I just thought I'd mention it.

I tried gravel as a substrate many years ago when I was first getting into snakes and its sucks, blows and bites all at the same time - aside from the points raised about ingestion it definately is horrible to try and keep clean as the liquid waste goes straight through it and sits on the bottom of the tank. It is also noisy at night, scuffs up their scales and weighs a ton if you have to move the tank.

There are many great substrates available and lots of good info on them on the site ranging from newspaper (my fave) through cocofibre ( lots of people like the look of it) and aspen.

They are all quite inexpensive and work well so is there any specific reasons why you aren't sure you want to use them? Maybe we could find alternatives not previously mentioned.:)



dr del

Well I only want the substrate to look decent, and be able to cover things. Wouldn't newspaper ink rub off on the snake?

Such as the base to the branch for him to climb in, and to put some of the larger rocks and skull in a little so they don't get moved around.

And for clean up he usually does his stuff on a towel in a hide box.

So what substrate do you think would work out best?

Something that looks good, cheap, and somewhat easy to clean.

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Originally Posted by Classicrocker42o

Well I only want the substrate to look decent, and be able to cover things. Wouldn't newspaper ink rub off on the snake?.

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I use newspaper in all my bp's tubs and yes...it can rub off on them but it isn't noticable unless you have like an albino or a white bp of some sort.

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Originally Posted by Classicrocker42o

Such as the base to the branch for him to climb in, and to put some of the larger rocks and skull in a little so they don't get moved around..

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I would be very cautious of putting branches and such in his enclosure...bp's are not very agile and will fall.

They really just need somehing to hide in on both sides of the enclosure...a water bowl and their subtrate.

everything else is just in the way and a pita to keep clean.

imo.

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Originally Posted by Classicrocker42o

And for clean up he usually does his stuff on a towel in a hide box..

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He probably won't ALWAYS go in there to do his biz.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Classicrocker42o

So what substrate do you think would work out best?

Something that looks good, cheap, and somewhat easy to clean.

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newspaper...you can also get it unprinted if you are worried about the ink.

Aspen also works well. I only use that during breeding season though.

:)

Yeah he doesn't aways go on the towel.

I've notice they aren't to agile. Didn't know if it was because its young.

The tree I've seen him climb on and never fall. It's only two branches. One goes straight up while the other is lower and goes out sideways. The one going straight up he has to wrap around some so he never falls from it. And the other is low enough for him to be on it and still be on the ground.

I just want a good viewing tank for my bp.

Thanks for the help.