ball python bedding.

[Andrew24]

ive heard many diff things.. people say don't use mulch like bedding ONLY! use newspapers or maybe paper towls because of many reasons..(my vet is one of the people who says to do this, but he's no only my vet he owns over 30 snakes mostly bal pythons and he breeds them..) sooo very temped to do what he says hahaha lol..

but then other people (some breeders) say don't use news paper or paper towls because of most of the same reasons the other people told me not to use mulch like bedding..

sooo any one know which one to use and not to use?

[syvil]

I personally use Aspen bedding and clean it out every 3-4 weeks depending on how much my guy poops and pees in his tank. Of course I do spot cleaning when needed. Newspaper is cheaper of course and a lot of people here use it. I don't mind spending $12 on aspen bedding that will last 2 months or so.

[stratus_020202]

I've never heard of newspaper or paper towels being dangerous to use. I use papertowels. I used to use aspen, but it is impossible to keep it out of the carpet, and it gets every where.

The only things i've heard are bad bad is cedar and pine (any type of fir), as it puts off irritants like sylvic acid, and that's bad for any small animal.

[xdeus]

They both have their pros and cons. Aspen is more expensive and dusty, but it looks better and can be "spot cleaned" without having to change the whole cage.

Newspaper is cheap and is easier to spot messes. I think it's also easier to clean than Aspen, but the ink can leave your hands pretty dirty. However, you can purchase unprinted newsprint.

Either will work fine, so just use what you prefer.

[WingedWolfPsion]

Having seen how much snakes pee, I would never spot clean. <lol>

[frankykeno]

Really it's a matter of personal preference as long as you stay away from the beddings known to be unsafe for snakes.

I have some of mine on newspaper, I have others on aspen. Sometimes I use packing paper I get from Home Depot. I have some snakes that consistently manage to spill their water dish so a loose bedding keeps it more firmly seated than paper would do. Other snakes I own seem to like to go under newspaper so that's what they get, others like to burrow in loose bedding - so they get aspen.

As long as you are happy and the snakes are happy - it's all good.

[stratus_020202]

Having seen how much snakes pee, I would never spot clean. <lol>

Lol. I used to use reptibark with my first one. It soaks up the liquid really good, and I didn't realize there was so much wetness with the urate ball until i switched to papertowels. I felt so bad.

[Karbon]

I have used Aspen forever and i don't have any issues with it.
Granted, it can be a little messy if you're not careful.

[Exotic Ectotherms]

I use Eco-Earth and love it. It looks good, keeps the humidity perfect, and is very absorbant. I don't buy the compressed bricks though...they are a pain in the butt. I buy the uncompressed stuff in a bag from Petco. 10 bucks a bag and I do a complete substrate change once a month.