What is the best substrate?

I was just wondering what you think is the best substrate to use for ball pythons. Thanks.

Newspaper.

The average NewBee will have to try EVERYTHING else before believing it is true... But time will show you that for overal cleaness, humidity, and cost nothing beats plain old newspaper (yes the kind that probably gets delivered to you daily)

I wouldn't think so but the ink wont hurt them will it?

I use newspaper for some and aspen for others. Newspaper is a quick and easy clean up.

can paper towls work?

Paper towels can work. They tend to shift the towels all over the place though, so you would probably find your bp just laying on the floor with no substrate.

but doesn't the newspaper print have toxic chemicals??

Nope, not anymore.

You do only want to use the non "shiny" stuff though.

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Originally Posted by cartman89

but doesn't the newspaper print have toxic chemicals??

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shiny stuff? I don't read the newspaper anymore...what that? Like the advertisments and glittery faunts?

Precisely

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Originally Posted by cartman89

shiny stuff? I don't read the newspaper anymore...what that? Like the advertisments and glittery faunts?

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Newspaper turned my binos into normals! j/p but it does make them dirty. I switched over to cypress, its making cleanup easier and I dont have to deal with the snake pushing all the newspaper to one corner.

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Originally Posted by cartman89

but doesn't the newspaper print have toxic chemicals??

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People have been using newspaper for a long long long time with no ill effects. You can use paper towels but they do shift around too much and are VERY expensive once you develop a bigger collection.

I don't even get the paper. I have friends who stack up their used newspapers and drop em off every now and then.

I challenge ANYONE using any other substrate in a clean tub test. Newspaper makes it possible for me to keep my entire collection clean all the time.

Once you use newspaper and see how much urin the snake produces, and how nasty it is, you won't sleep well using anything else. :gj:

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Originally Posted by Clear

Newspaper turned my binos into normals! j/p but it does make them dirty.

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That is odd... the newspaper doesn't make my albino look dirty. are you using the shiny stuff or just the normal paper? I only use the normal paper, and when it has a big picture on it, I put that side facing down.

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Originally Posted by Clear

I switched over to cypress, its making cleanup easier and I dont have to deal with the snake pushing all the newspaper to one corner.

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Please explain in detail how cypress mulch can possibly be easier to clean up then newspaper.

thanks! and sorry for hijacking your thread. I can actually get newspaper FREE at my school

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Originally Posted by cartman89

but doesn't the newspaper print have toxic chemicals??

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newspapers no longer use ink,they use vegatable dye,usually soy based.

I use Aspen.... Can't hold humidity too well. I also don't like the smell when I have to raise the humididty to 70 when my PB is going through shedding process.

I wanna try Mulch next time. Mulch looks nicest too!

For me aspen works the best. I've tried just about everything over the years and aspen is hands down my favorite. It looks nice, it's easy to clean, and it's fairly cheap. My snakes seem to prefer it as well, I even use it for one of my beardies and it works great.

i have to agree with Mike on this one, newspaper hands down.

ive used other "pieced" substrates before (aspen, sanichips, reptibark etc) and omg the MESS. not the one the snake makes, but have you ever spilled aspen on carpet? I'm glad i have a vacuum that works.

I use newspaper exclusively now.

I use all papertowels no after having an incident with the Aspen and the snake getting a mouth full of it!! And to be honost papertowels do move around but I place the water bowls and the hides on them to help keep them in place but it is no biggie to fix them if need be! But I only have seven and can make quick cleaning and fixings if need be but it would be a bit tougher with like 25-50 to do that all the time! And with aspen it is hard to see where they peed to clean it up!

I've tried everything and I like Eco-Earth (coconut husk) the best. Granted it is not as easy as newspaper....but it holds my humidity perfect, looks nice and is absorbent when the snakes urinate.

I think the topic should be clarified by the OP whether they are housing in a tub or display tank. For a tub, I would definitely recommend newspaper, but the aesthetics of Eco-Earth are nice for a display tank without sacrificing the needs of the BP.

I use repti bark- it looks nice and we like it. It ain't cheap though.

We did use newspaper when we had a mite problem, though! But I don't like how it looks.

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Originally Posted by Mike Cavanaugh

Please explain in detail how cypress mulch can possibly be easier to clean up then newspaper.

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yeah...I would be interested in knowing this as well..

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Originally Posted by Mike Cavanaugh

Please explain in detail how cypress mulch can possibly be easier to clean up then newspaper.

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lol well, it cannot be just as easy. but if they clean it up the same way i clean up my aspen then it can be 97% close to as easy..... but i use an huge shop vac and suck it all up in 5 sec. then i wipe down with cleaner lol

I use the brown indented craft paper from Uline - it comes on a huge roll that last forever and you can't beat it for cleanliness.

Just my thoughts.

I actually use newsprint (unprinted newspaper), and really like it.

Even better, if you have a big printing publisher in your town visit them. Every day they have left over unprinted paper to dispose of still on the roll. Many of them will give it to you for free. Without print on it

I have tried aspen don't like it.

I tried newspaper what a pain if the water spills. I was not crazy about the smell from it either.

Paper towel moves to much and if it gets stuck to the bottom of the tub, oh boy. It is not easy to get off if that happens.

I am now using cypress mulch and so far I like it. Before I put any type of substrate in the tubs I have a spare container that I dump it into and spray the whole thing down with P.A.M or B.K depending on what I have.

I use Desert Snow by T-Rex. I like it for several reasons.

1. It is pure white and it really shows off the animal. Against the white background the snakes look great!
2. It is easy to clean. When they go to the bathroom it will discolor the area and it is like a bullseye to clean up the mess. One quick scoop, replace with fresh and your done.
3. It is supposed to be ideal for Ball Pythons.
4. I think the enclosure also looks nice with the pure white substrate. The black hide and branches look great. Everything stands out from the surface.
5. It doesn't get moved around by the animals or slide around.

I think it is the best and my animals get the best. ;)

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Originally Posted by cartman89

but doesn't the newspaper print have toxic chemicals??

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At the seafood market they will wrap your fish in news paper.

This is what I use. http://store.uhaul.com/Protective_st...Wrapping_Paper I have tried wood shavings and that kind of thing. I just feel better using paper. Its cheap, does the job, and I don't have to worry about it getting stuck in my snakes. I can also run my thermostat a bit lower. It does not have to run so hot to keep my hot spots where they are. Only issue is humidity could be a bit higher. Thats an easy fix with some misting.

I use packing paper. And then depending on if the snake likes to burrow I add a side of Aspen. When I had my BP it didn't burrow so I didn't put any aspen. My RTB burrows, so I give it the Aspen. Having the paper under the aspen makes it a little easier to clean because I can just lift out the paper with most of the Aspen on top of it.

Ok there is no real answer to this question unless you have way more details. Each indivdual has different needs.

Example I live in Death Valley, The humidity is BONE dry here. Literally less then 10%. In the winter I could NOT keep the humidity above 30 or 40%, this was with daily misting with a bug sprayer. I had to resort to Cypress mulch to maintain proper humidity.

NOW its summertime, and I am running a Swamp Cooler(Evaporative cooler)24/7 wich has raised my humidity sky high, I am now using newspaper, for cost effectiveness, ease of use, etc.

So the answer to the question? depends on YOUR needs. Not anyone elses. Your house humidity, your prefferences etc.:gj::gj:
Hope this helps somebody. My tubs have been hitting 90 % humidity a lot lately, so I have been drilling more holes in my rack, and wiping down, changing paper every few days.

I recently switched from newspaper to indented 60lb kraft paper and love the stuff. I tried the wood substrates, but after an issue with a vet visit and an infected hemipene and a few swallowed chips I nixed those. Paper just works best for me, and I love the neat look.

I agree though, give some a go and find what works best and appeals most to you.

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Originally Posted by Shadera

I recently switched from newspaper to indented 60lb kraft paper and love the stuff. I tried the wood substrates, but after an issue with a vet visit and an infected hemipene and a few swallowed chips I nixed those. Paper just works best for me, and I love the neat look.

I agree though, give some a go and find what works best and appeals most to you.

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What does that look like? I've been trying to find something cheaper than Repti Bark that doesn't look terrible in the tank. (Apsen doesn't work for me because of humidity issues.)

Big Collection: Newpaper or not sure but theres webs that sell blank new paper, paper

Small: Aspen or Douglas Fir

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Originally Posted by mrshawt

What does that look like? I've been trying to find something cheaper than Repti Bark that doesn't look terrible in the tank. (Apsen doesn't work for me because of humidity issues.)

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Here you go:
http://www.uline.com/BL_1961/Indented-Kraft-Paper

Nice and thick, but still soft.

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Originally Posted by Ball Python Expert

Big Collection: Newpaper or not sure but theres webs that sell blank new paper, paper

Small: Aspen or Douglas Fir

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What do you consider a big collection and a small collection? Why would you say that a big collection would use newspaper?

I do use paper when treating for mites and so forth. Cheap and easy. I sure don't think it is pretty though.

newspaper is the best ive tried a couple things: aspen, turf, paper towels, and newspaper... newspaper is thebest by far u see the urin andhow much urin it is!!!! u see everything and just pick it up asap very easy hold humidity well doesnt tloook the best but it def is the best substrate just my .02

I use just aspen. I get it very cheap ($30 for an 8 sq ft bale) and it lasts me 2-3 months between all my snakes (around 15.)

I have used paper towels and newspaper, hated it. I have used the Cypress blend from Home Depot, and although that was extremely cheap, only used it for a month or two as the "blend" part didn't sit well with me. But it was a pain to clean. Held the humidity great though.

Aspen is quick and easy to clean and its cheap, so that's what I'm sticking with. You use what works best for you.

white kitchen towels
I love the clean white background for the snakes
also shows up everything!!!
mites cant hide on white paper towel
:)
would love it to be produced in nice big sheets tho

Over the years I have tried absolutely everything. Kraft paper, newspaper, unprinter newsheet, etc, etc, etc. A few months ago I started using Aspen and love it.

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Originally Posted by cobbsie

mites cant hide on white paper towel

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This isn't really a consideration for me when choosing a substrate.

ahhhh yup
was being flippant
sorry
:)

Ive always used aspen, I know plenty of people that use newspaper too, but I think the aspen gives the enclosure a better aesthetic feel. Just me though lol

I use aspen with my ball and corn :gj:

I'm going to go with aspen.

I used aspen for five years with no problems

Thought I would get cheap and put some of my larger snakes on cypress this spring. ---MITES--- It only took a couple of weeks and mites seemed to pop out of everywhere. All of my snakes are on newspaper right now and everything is being treated to get rid of mites. I'm sure I'll go back to aspen in a few months. Newspaper is great but I like the look of the aspen better.

I do use paper towels in my shoe box tubs with hatchlings, etc..

Ooh, I like the sound of that Gangrene! Where do you get Desert Snow? Somewhere on line hopefully?

I like eco-earth best. It breaks down odor causing material and looks great.

but for my ball python i use finely shredded aspen. The petco aspen I don't like as much because its in big chips an it gives off a weird odor.

I recently moved so Ive been using the paper that was used to pack the boxes. Huge sheets, with nothing on them. Clean and simple. I also just started a job where they deliver newspapers daily...needless to say I packed my bookbag full and went home. Im planning a move again so when Im settled Ill be using aspen.