Best loose substrate

[piedpython]

I never used substrate when I had a rack just paper towels. My only ball python gets a piece of cypress stuck in his gums almost everytime he eats. Today he could not get it out so I had to rub it out with a wet q-tip (not very fun for him after just eating). I do not want to risk mouth rot so my question is if Eco-Earth gets in his mouth will that cause any issues? What is the best bedding to feed on that will keep humidity up?

[steve_r34]

u know I noticed that with the cypress to I really didn't have that problem with aspen .. I wonder if eco will be better

[CloudtheBoa]

The loose substrats I've used are ReptiBark and EcoEarth, and EcoEarth has been the one I stick to. It does wonders for humidity, and my guys always have a wonderful sheen. I use the bedding as my sole source of humidity. I pour water directly into the bedding, and mix everything up so that the water is evenly distributed, until it's darkened and damp. It should still fall freely and be a dark-ish brown, but not a dark dark brown and it shouldn't clump together in balls when it falls from your hand. Then I spread it out and level the bedding, and tamp it down slightly to help it hold in humidity even longer. I've never had my snakes get irritated mouths and they ingest it and pass it perfectly fine, even my tiny garter. I give EcoEarth a 10/10.

[piedpython]

Thanks! I think I will pick some of that up. I've never been a substrate person and never had a problem but this snake hits his f/t so hard he always gets some in his mouth.