KSB substrate...pros and cons... what are you using and why?

[Craiga 01453]

Hey all, as many of you may already know, I added a KSB to the family yesterday.

I'm currently leaning towards aspen, but would like to know what substrates you use or have used. What are some pros and cons of each substrate you've used?
What are you using now? And why?

Thanks in advance!

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I have used a few things and they really do well on coco coir, it allows them to bury themselves easily, the texture and flow is very similar to sand, it's very absorbent and my first choice with this species.

I usually prepare a large brick in advance break it and than let it dry before using it.

[Craiga 01453]

I have used a few things and they really do well on coco coir, it allows them to bury themselves easily, the texture and flow is very similar to sand, it's very absorbent and my first choice with this species.

I usually prepare a large brick in advance break it and than let it dry before using it.

Thanks Deb.
I've got coco coir here, but I'll definitely have to let it dry out. I had read mixed thoughts on coco with these guys, but in Deb I trust.

[MarkL1561]

I used sand for the majority of the time (16 years) I’ve had my sand boa but recently switched to sani-chips. I didn’t like the dust and the weight of the sand. I moved recently and moving a tank full of sand sucks haha So far I really like the sani-chips as it keeps him much cleaner. Also the contrast is quite nice too.



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[distaff]

I like SaniChips as well. No chance of substrate ingestion blockage. The cornsnake once got a bit of wood lodged in his mouth, jamming his jaws open. Last night, I was watching a ViperKeeper episode (don't know how old it was), and he had to extract some ingested wood with forceps out of the throat of a tiny little snake - not easy to watch, but he said the animal would have died, otherwise.

...which maybe settles the question from several days ago about wood getting passed if a small enough piece, but not necessarily broken down.

[Avsha531]

I've been using sand for over 3 years now. It's actually orange and matches his coloring pretty well and looks cool too. He loves staying buried in it and just popping his little head out of it

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[pretends2bnormal]

I've been using sand for over 3 years now. It's actually orange and matches his coloring pretty well and looks cool too. He loves staying buried in it and just popping his little head out of it

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Since you use sand, do you take any special precautions around feeding? And how thick of a sand layer do you use? Is it a calci-sand or a different kind?

Everything I see seems to be against sand, so I've never heard details from someone who uses it.

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[Avsha531]

I actually specifically do not use the CalciSand as I've heard it's even worse for impaction and other things.

I use the exo-terra desert sand, I had done a bunch of research on it back 3 years ago and had come to a place where I had heard sufficient evidence that the specific one I've been using doesn't carry the risk of impaction like some others.

I feed right in the tank, just always make sure the rodent is dry so substrate won't be sticking to it like crazy.

I don't put a very thick layer, just enough that he can hide himself entirely when he so desires

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