Fleece Substrate?

[schrammalot]

I know this is a random question, but can you use fleece as a substrate?

I've tried to look it up just for my own curiosity and I haven't been able to find anything. I imagine it's like using carpet in the cage.

[The Serpent Merchant]

How exactly would use use it? As sheets, shredded, some other way?

I can't see it being a very good substrate choice.

[Rob]

Used as a solid piece? I see that getting gross pretty fast.

[Anatopism]

I'm sure it would be useable the same as carpet would be. Easily washable too. Problem is that fleece doesn't absorb liquid terribly well (it usualyl pools up or runs off before finally being absorbed), and because it is so light/soft, it's just going to get pushed around and not really act much as a substrate. Sure it's washable, but I don't think it would be more convenient than any of the other options out there. If I were to use any sort of cloth, I'd want something that maintains it's structure a bit better (think burlap/canvas) but also absorbs waste so that the snake it not cruising around in it afterwards.

[Rob]

Problem is that fleece doesn't absorb liquid terribly well (it usualyl pools up or runs off before finally being absorbed)

Aka gross pretty fast

[The Serpent Merchant]

Any substrate that you have to wash on a regular basis just isn't worth it in my book.

[Sam71312]

Like the other members have stated, fleece just seems like it would get kinda yucky pretty quick. I suppose if you are planning on changing out the fleece every single time your ball python goes to the bathroom then maybe it could work; I guess I do that with my newspaper substrate. But it just seems like if you are going to use a substrate that has to be replaced every single time your ball python uses the bathroom, then it would make the most sense to use a simple substrate that can easily be replaced, such as paper towel or newspaper. It seems like it would be a pain to have to constantly be purchasing fleece all the time when newspapers and paper towels are cheap and/or free...to be honest I'm not even sure where you would buy fleece lol.

[Anatopism]

Like the other members have stated, fleece just seems like it would get kinda yucky pretty quick. I suppose if you are planning on changing out the fleece every single time your ball python goes to the bathroom then maybe it could work; I guess I do that with my newspaper substrate. But it just seems like if you are going to use a substrate that has to be replaced every single time your ball python uses the bathroom, then it would make the most sense to use a simple substrate that can easily be replaced, such as paper towel or newspaper. It seems like it would be a pain to have to constantly be purchasing fleece all the time when newspapers and paper towels are cheap and/or free...to be honest I'm not even sure where you would buy fleece lol.

Fleece can be bought at most craft stores (Hobby Lobby, Michael's, Joann's Fabrics, even many walmarts). For plain colors, it usually just runs a couple dollars per square yard. The benefit of fleece or any other type of fabric, would be that it is washable, so that one would not have to purchase any new pieces for a long while. I used fleece as a cage bottom for along time when I kept rats as pets - replaced it every couple of days and put into an animal load of laundry ever weekend. Less expensive than buying loose substrate, but definitely requires more cost regarding time/maintenance.

Another thing that comes to mind on fabric in general however that I would be worried about, is being able to safely heat an enclosure. Fleece is a great insulator (so many coats/sweatshirts/jackets made of the stuff.. along with other household soft things like blankets and snuggies). While heat would definitely get through the fleece making it possible to create a hot spot on top of the fleece, it would most liekly be remarkably (and dangerously) warm to achieve the top temperature, underneath the fleece. If you measured the head directly on the plastic/base of the tub under the fleece, you run the risk of your snake not climbing under the fleece to be able to regulate his body temp.

[dave21]

The only pro I see in using fleece as a substrate is that it is washable. I would use reptile carpet or just newspaper before fleece. Make sure your using a thermostat since fleece moves around easily and the snake can rest between the glass and the substrate easier and get burned. I like to use a substrate that the snake cannot access the bare bottom of a enclosure and rest directly on the heat source just incase. Also if humidity is a problem the bedding will do no good. Good luck though!

[GuNDeZZZ]

I would advise against it. I used fleece with my hedgehog gor a while and it gets nasty really fast, its not really cost efficient as well because you have to replace it after several washes because it gets covered in lint balls. Stick to paper towels, aspen shavings, or something similar.

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