Substrate Alternative?

[Shayne]

Hey, y’all...

Quick question, is this good for the bottom of our enclosures? Thinking of getting away from substrate due to possible impactions. Nothing happened....just thinking ahead.


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[ckuhn003]

I've used both and wasn't a huge fan of the butcher paper vs substrate because I felt my humidity took a hit with paper as well as it just seemed messier. I found myself doing a full clean every time there was a bathroom break whereas substrate does a great job of absorption and spot cleans are rather quick. Also, I've never worried about impaction while eating. I think you'll get mixed opinions on this one.....

[Bogertophis]

Kraft paper is technically fine, but it's slippery for your snake, no traction.

A better choice is corrugated wrap: it traps snake urates & feces pretty well, otherwise they slide right thru it with plain kraft paper & "paint" with it.
https://www.uline.com/cls_uline/Uline-Products

What I like to do with this sort of substrate is to cut a square notch out of each corner (like 3" x 3") so that I can fold each side up by 3" for better "containment".
So I'd buy the size that = the cage floor width + 5"-6" (roughly, for room to fold up).

[pretends2bnormal]

I've never used smooth paper, but also haven't tried corrugated either. I've got this "indented" craft paper and they seem to grip it decently well for a paper surface. No paper is ever quite as easy for them as loose substrate, I don't think, but this is pretty good. It is probably in between the other 2 options.

It is sort of the texture of rice chex, except indented instead of punched out.


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[AbsoluteApril]

I use smooth dunnage (unprinted newsprint, has a softer texture and less sharp edges when cut than kraft paper) but kraft will work as well, I usually only use for small, juvi snakes.
I used to use newspaper for my adults but they do slide around so for the last 10 years I've been using singleface corrugated and it works much better.
Only reason I don't use indented is because it's usually much pricier than the singleface but it works too.

[pretends2bnormal]

I use smooth dunnage (unprinted newsprint, has a softer texture and less sharp edges when cut than kraft paper) but kraft will work as well, I usually only use for small, juvi snakes.
I used to use newspaper for my adults but they do slide around so for the last 10 years I've been using singleface corrugated and it works much better.
Only reason I don't use indented is because it's usually much pricier than the singleface but it works too.

Where are you getting that kind then?
When I looked indented was 2/3rds or so the price. Might give it a try once my indented runs out.
(And can it be cut on the same roll holders or do you have to use scissors?)

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[Shayne]

Awesome! Thanks for all the great insight. Haven’t decided yet. Just trying to get some ideas.


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[Bogertophis]

Of all those I've tried, I liked the 1/4" corrugated (it's like regular corrugated cardboard with one facing removed), especially for heavy bodied or "pushy" snakes.

Good to have options though...and if you want the "greenest" option, it's indoor-outdoor nylon carpet, cut to fit...but ya gotta wash it. That's the cheapest in the
long run, & makes the least waste, with good absorption, traction & excellent appearance. (it can be disinfected, even with bleach, with no color loss...the stuff
wears forever! Can also be shaken out to remove most of the water & put in damp, for added humidity, but it dries fast too.)

[AbsoluteApril]

Where are you getting that kind then?
When I looked indented was 2/3rds or so the price. Might give it a try once my indented runs out.
(And can it be cut on the same roll holders or do you have to use scissors?)

I used to get it at cost direct from manufacturer though the company I work for which was SO nice!! When I bought these at cost, they were a whopping $22.
but since I moved out of state, I get it at amazon. Various places sell it and pricing varies, so I don't always go with the same seller. Average price is between $52-65/rl (free prime shipping)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...02_s00?ie=UTF8
that one is Ship now Supply. I've also bought Tape Logic, there are other vendors as well. You can get at places like Uline but you have to pay shipping and shipping is pricey.

There are different flutes (the size of the corrugated 'wave', I prefer A flute 1/4", B is a bit smaller but also cheaper).
My adult boa cages are 4x2, hog isle cages are 3x2, this is 24" width so I cut the roll down into 4' and 3' lengths with scissors, the roll is 250' long and heavy

Hope that helps!

[Shayne]

Of all those I've tried, I liked the 1/4" corrugated (it's like regular corrugated cardboard with one facing removed), especially for heavy bodied or "pushy" snakes.

Good to have options though...and if you want the "greenest" option, it's indoor-outdoor nylon carpet, cut to fit...but ya gotta wash it. That's the cheapest in the
long run, & makes the least waste, with good absorption, traction & excellent appearance. (it can be disinfected, even with bleach, with no color loss...the stuff
wears forever! Can also be shaken out to remove most of the water & put in damp, for added humidity, but it dries fast too.)

Interesting.

Never thought about bout the nylon carpet as I figured it would be too much of a pain to completely remove every time. I do like the "go green" idea though.