Bedding of Choice

For the majority of my snakes I use newspaper... but I was wondering what the bedding of choice was for the majority of the ball python breeders here.

Newspaper?
Aspen?
Cypress Mulch?

I've had success with my single attempt, last season, on newspaper.

I bet you can find people with success on many different types of substrates.

I use indented kraft paper in the cages and tubs.

I have been using pure white Viva paper towels and I like them.

Aspen... and paper t's during quarantine...

I love the viva paper towels just went through a six pack last weekend. Now I'm trying some bounty ones. I love paper towels so absorbant. I did switch to newspaper for like two days but it's so ugly.

ASPEN, i love it.......however every week when its time for cleaning i shovel it all out, lay newspaper down and replace the old aspen with new.

I dont like feeding on it becuase im paranoid of my snakes ingesting it. So i either laydown newspaper over it when feeding or completly take it out,clean and replace it with new aspen after each feeding. Keeps the rack clean, keeps the snakes safe and makes us all happy.

I have used about everything out there...including carefresh type substrates......But I just recently had a mulch company double mill some pure cypress mulch for me and I love it. Not only does it hold humidity but because it is twice milled, it is soft and small pieces sort of like shreded aspen. the snakes seem to like it too. currently all of my balls are on it and my 1/2 dwarf double het ablino granite burms....oh yeah and my baby green anacondas.
The reason for me going straight to the mulch company is because the cypress mulch taht you can buy at stores 99% of the time the label says cypress blend....after some research I discovered that they are blending it with cedar "as we all know cedar is toxic to reptiles" . So I went right to the mulch company and told them what I wanted "100% double milled cypress", and they were all to happy to give me an entire truck load!!! for only 28 dollars......

I use newspaper. I only use paper towels on hatchling BP"s. After a conversation with Adam a while back he told me about some nightmares regarding swallowing of paper towels, he sat in on a surgery where the paper towel caused an impaction. Paper towels are so absorbent and tough they do not break down like newspaper and can cause some serious problems if swallowed. I followed his recommendations and only use them on small BP's which could never swallow them. I used to swear by paper towels but I would rather learn from someone else's unfortunate personal experience.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by West Coast Jungle

I use newspaper. I only use paper towels on hatchling BP"s. After a conversation with Adam a while back he told me about some nightmares regarding swallowing of paper towels, he sat in on a surgery where the paper towel caused an impaction. Paper towels are so absorbent and tough they do not break down like newspaper and can cause some serious problems if swallowed. I followed his recommendations and only use them on small BP's which could never swallow them. I used to swear by paper towels but I would rather learn from someone else's unfortunate personal experience.

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Interesting!

Where do you get your Newspaper from?

Daily news, my snakes like to keep informed:D

Ahhh... Classy!

Cypress Mulch....
BT

Aspen, newspaper & paper towels.... depends on the size of the bp being housed. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by West Coast Jungle

I use newspaper. I only use paper towels on hatchling BP"s. After a conversation with Adam a while back he told me about some nightmares regarding swallowing of paper towels, he sat in on a surgery where the paper towel caused an impaction. Paper towels are so absorbent and tough they do not break down like newspaper and can cause some serious problems if swallowed. I followed his recommendations and only use them on small BP's which could never swallow them. I used to swear by paper towels but I would rather learn from someone else's unfortunate personal experience.

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I do the same thing, though I was unaware about the swallowing potential. I use newspaper for my adult snakes, and folded paper towels in the shoebox tubs of my youngsters. I don't have time for substrates that are loose and need to be cleaned and swept up. I like to crinkle the whole mess of a tub into one ball of paper and toss it out!

I used to use aspen but i seemed to make to big of a mess with it when cleaning cages so now I use newspaper. A friend of mine was using SaniChips and had a breeder pin actually get some inside of his vent. The chips caused an infection and has practically destroyed all of his manhood. I would definitely stay away from that stuff after seeing his pin.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dill Reptiles

I used to use aspen but i seemed to make to big of a mess with it when cleaning cages so now I use newspaper. A friend of mine was using SaniChips and had a breeder pin actually get some inside of his vent. The chips caused an infection and has practically destroyed all of his manhood. I would definitely stay away from that stuff after seeing his pin.

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Thats the same reason I quit using aspen....My male albino got a piece of the aspen in his vent as well....fortunately I was able to remove it right away and he is still breeding.:banana:

where do you get the *aspen* from?

Newspaper all the way.

Tried aspen... too messy... tried repticarpet... too unsanitary.

Newspapers, fold em, toss em, wipe, rinse... lay down more paper.

Bruce

I recently switched to white paper towels. I keep a good eye on them during feeding . As adam mentioned I had a subadult strike and miss and had ahold of the towel and was going to eat it. If I had not been watching he would have. I had females lay on towels last year with no issues. I worry about eggs drying if not found in time ,I check tubs alot after POS! I like the convenience of towels!

Not a breeder, but I use newspaper....So easy to clean. A few folds and toss. Quick and clean. :P

Having substrate such as cypress mulch and aspen instead of newsprint...does that help with ambient temp with flexwatt? I know it does with humidity, but what about ambient temp? Any help would be appreciated. :gj: