Feeding on Eco Earth?

[reptilemom25]

I recently switched Astrid's substrate to eco earth. I was originally using forest floor, but had to dry the first batch for over a week to get the humidity correct. I though since the bag had been open it wouldn't be a problem when I replaced it. No such luck. Humidity was 99%, water dripping off the lid within an hour of setting it back up. I had some eco earth on hand, so I switched to that and it is holding around 60%.

I am worried about feeding her on it though. Seems like its going to get all over the food? For those of you the use eco earth, what do you do for feedings?

[Craiga 01453]

I use a mix of eco earth and repti-bark and have never had any issues feeding on it. Keep in mind, nobody cleans their food in the wild and they eat on dirt all the time.

If it puts your mind at ease, lay a paper plate or something similar down. But don't use paper towel, they prey can stick to that.

[skydnay]

I use EcoEarth! Feeding on it hasn't been an issue for me. Not a ton of the substrate gets on the prey, and from what I understand, snakes are able to pass it since it's coconut fiber, and it shouldn't cause impaction.

To avoid getting substrate on the prey at all, you could use something like a plate, a bit of cardboard, or something similarly stiff to keep the prey off of the substrate (not paper towel, so that the snake doesn't eat that). This is a good idea to do especially if you feed with wet prey.

[pretends2bnormal]

Pretty similar to the above, in my experience. I mostly feed prey damp, not dripping wet, so I just pat off excess/dripping water before offering. I've never really bothered trying to get them to eat over a plate since mine all seem to drag it off elsewhere. I've never noticed much stick to even damp rats, so I doubt it would be a big issue.

If the feeder is really wet, you may get more substrate sticking to it. Since eco earth is a coconut fiber, it would take more than just a little bit to have much risk of being an issue. As long as it doesn't look breaded in it or caked on thick, you're fine if they eat a little bit.

[reptilemom25]

thanks guys! Definitely feel better about it. I will just feed her as normal!

[AnnieHeart]

I've been using eco earth and my ball python has been feeding fine on it.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I have fed all my BP (there are a few ) and other species on various substrate from Newspaper to Aspen to Coconut Chips to Eco Earth with ZERO issue.

We are talking 100+ thousands of feedings.