?substrate?

[dr del]

Hi,

I found some "critter litter" in the shed today, it uses paper fibers in a cylinder shape. I didn't even know we had it, but it says it doesn't have any cedar or pine oils. The bag looks like a mouse or something might had chewed it open some.

Personally I'd throw it out or keep it for another pet.

This stuff would be a good substrate? It would probably keep more moisture than rocks. It also says it has been heated to kill any bacteria. Non-abrasive, and it's safe if swallowed.

Well the moisture, as has been said, isn't you major worry (unless there's a reason you think it will be? ). The heated to kill bacteria went completely out the window as soon as the bag was opened - especially if it was chewed open by a wild animal. It's not likely to cause your snake any problem I just thought I'd mention it.

I tried gravel as a substrate many years ago when I was first getting into snakes and its sucks, blows and bites all at the same time - aside from the points raised about ingestion it definately is horrible to try and keep clean as the liquid waste goes straight through it and sits on the bottom of the tank. It is also noisy at night, scuffs up their scales and weighs a ton if you have to move the tank.

There are many great substrates available and lots of good info on them on the site ranging from newspaper (my fave) through cocofibre ( lots of people like the look of it) and aspen.

They are all quite inexpensive and work well so is there any specific reasons why you aren't sure you want to use them? Maybe we could find alternatives not previously mentioned.



dr del

[Classicrocker42o]

Well I only want the substrate to look decent, and be able to cover things. Wouldn't newspaper ink rub off on the snake?

Such as the base to the branch for him to climb in, and to put some of the larger rocks and skull in a little so they don't get moved around.

And for clean up he usually does his stuff on a towel in a hide box.

So what substrate do you think would work out best?

Something that looks good, cheap, and somewhat easy to clean.

[MeMe]

Well I only want the substrate to look decent, and be able to cover things. Wouldn't newspaper ink rub off on the snake?.

I use newspaper in all my bp's tubs and yes...it can rub off on them but it isn't noticable unless you have like an albino or a white bp of some sort.

Such as the base to the branch for him to climb in, and to put some of the larger rocks and skull in a little so they don't get moved around..

I would be very cautious of putting branches and such in his enclosure...bp's are not very agile and will fall.

They really just need somehing to hide in on both sides of the enclosure...a water bowl and their subtrate.

everything else is just in the way and a pita to keep clean.

imo.

And for clean up he usually does his stuff on a towel in a hide box..

He probably won't ALWAYS go in there to do his biz.

So what substrate do you think would work out best?

Something that looks good, cheap, and somewhat easy to clean.

newspaper...you can also get it unprinted if you are worried about the ink.

Aspen also works well. I only use that during breeding season though.

[Classicrocker42o]

Yeah he doesn't aways go on the towel.

I've notice they aren't to agile. Didn't know if it was because its young.

The tree I've seen him climb on and never fall. It's only two branches. One goes straight up while the other is lower and goes out sideways. The one going straight up he has to wrap around some so he never falls from it. And the other is low enough for him to be on it and still be on the ground.

I just want a good viewing tank for my bp.

Thanks for the help.