What about Desert Snow

HI!
I never heard of this stuff until about a couple of weeks ago. I use aspen and like it, no problems so far. I feed my snakes in a tub outside the enclosure, so no worries about ingesting substrate.

I've only seen pictures of desert snow, never saw the stuff in person but it looks nice in pictures, like it's pure white. T-rex is a good company too, I don't think they'd recommend something bad for balls.

So, my questions: Has anyone tried it? Does it retain humidity well? Does it look nice? Is it pure white? Low dust?

Thanks!!!!

I have used Desert Snow in the past for my substrate. It's low in dust and easy to clean. I really wouldn't say it holds humidity better than other substrates like aspen, but it doesn't seem to be bad.

I've recently switched to news print for substrate, but I still use Desert Snow in my Repti-Shelter hides, and the boys seem to like that.

The only real draw back I found with Desert Snow is that it's pretty expensive if you have a lot of cages or tubs.

Thanks. I don't have a lot of cages, and I don't want to use newspaper. I keep a bowl of moss for humidity anyway, so I think I'm going to give it a try.

If the cost isn't a problem for you, then I really think you'll like using the Desert Snow. I would still be using it, but I switched from cages to a rack system, and the news print makes for sense for my new set-up.

I use Desert Snow. Its really nice and soft and easy to clean. Not great for humidity but that can be countered with moss etc...
Its a nice colour the snake really stands out. Its really white like fake snow. One thing is that the snake starts digging in it so you might need to get a carpet to stop burns.
Hope that helps :)

i seen it in pics and I don't like the look it look like blown insulation .. I prefer the aspen ( been trying to find the large 160liter(quart) bags ).THe aspen I got now too dusty it just line he pine shaving sI use for rodents but it aspen ..

i have it and have been using it for a while. i am switching to cypress due to cost. the only thing i have found with marine snow is that it will mold. i had a spill that i didn't notice that was absorbed under the water bowl and it molded.

other than that its great stuff.....just pricey!

Hehe, compared to the price of the snakes, it's um down right cheap. I had a spill under my water bowl with the aspen and it got a little funky too, so I think I think I'm going to give it a try and just be careful about spills and such. I don't like the color of cypress, my snakes clash with it. I'm picky about color. My cages are black, so the white will look nice. I like the cypress for my rainbow boa, however, they look good together.

I used it in my black RBI cages, and it looked great!

You guys don't have issues with humidity and this stuff? I want for the whole tub to be as humid as it should be, and not just mossed hides. I would love to use the desert snow because it looks nice and is soft, but would my tubs still be humid enough with only a large water bowl? I'm on cypress right now which is great, but I'm giving aspen a shot next. Figured I might as well try multiple substrates and see which I like best.

v

Vacado, I can't really speak to the Desert Snow being humid enough for tubs...When I used it, it was in an RBI cage which is great for holding humidity anyway. I'm using newsprint in my tubs right now with no humidity problems, and since Desert Snow is make from paper pulp, I don't see where it would be a problem. Of course your mileage may vary depending on how humid it is outside your tubs.

anyone have pics of their setups with desert snow?

I don't use the moss in hides, I fill open bowls with it. That's how I keep the humidity up. If you put one on the warm side, the water continually evaporates, and the humidity stays pretty high. I either refill or rinse the bowls every day, but it doesn't take much time at all. Between the water bowl and the moss bowls, the humidity is good. Two of my balls are dark--a sable and a black pastel, and they just don't stand out against the cypress. The aspen is fine, but I figure the whiter the better at this point.

No i don't have humidity issues but I have a big patch of moss in my tank.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by eulenspiegel

One thing is that the snake starts digging in it so you might need to get a carpet to stop burns.
Hope that helps :)

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Actually, you should be using a thermostat or a reterostat /rheostat to prevent burns and keep enclosures at a safe temperature :)

Cypress mulch is arguably the best substrate for keeping ball pythons.
Pros:

• Retains moisture very well
• Is very resistant to mold
• Is cheap & easy
• Is more natural than newspaper
• Can easily add water to the mulch to up the humidity

Cons:

• Can be a bit dusty
• Is sometimes sold as a blend that can contain cedar
• Does dry out over time
• Rats love to shovel it all to one side of the cage, which drives me insane.

I keep all of my adults on Kamlar brand cypress mulch. It is double-milled so it has few/no large chunks in it. It is relatively cheap (unless you're like me and have to buy multiple pallets at a time). It may be hard to find depending on where you live. If you contact Kamlar by email and tell them where you live they will give you the name(s) of stores in your area that carry the mulch.

I have used T-Rex brand Aspen, T-Rex brand double-milled Cypress, and T-Rex brand Desert Snow.

Of all 3, Aspen did not retain humidity very well. Cypress AND Desert Snow did. So, when humidity in the room was high (I'm in Florida), I used Aspen. When humidity got zapped by the ceramic heat lamp in winter, I used Desert Snow. No added moss, nothing. Just changed substrates, and humidity went up 10%. I did not like the look of Desert Snow because my vivarium is a "forest" looking one, so I changed it to Cypress (more natural looking). Humidity remained the same between Desert Snow and Cypress.

It is great stuff - relatively dust-free with no sharp edges. One thing though is, it's hard to spot urates. It kinda turns creamy color if it gets wet so you know the snake pee'd in the area. But, sometimes it is not too obvious.

Here's my vivarium with Desert Snow:
http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/l...alazar_top.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/DSCN0532.jpg

that's what mine looks like :)