I have been using paper towel as my substrate in my closed melamine rack. 41 qt tubs.

I switched when we had mites and stick with it. Now I have had my snakes all make some nice big messes the last few days. I don't mind the poop but the urine almost soaks the whole tub floor! It isn't really a big deal because cleanup is easy but I miss aspen for the absorbency.

For me these are the pros and cons

PROS

Paper towel:
•affordable (only 6 tubs)
•easy and fast to clean and I can spot urine, mites etc.
•the warm spot is easy for the snake to lay on without pushing substrate around too much
•doesn't cause dust and bits of shavings around the living room

Compressed Aspen shavings (used for bunnies):
•pretty affordable (way cheaper than reptile aspen)
•easy to spot clean
•absorbs urine! This is nice cause I just grab a bunch from around the area and quickly clean the floor below
•I like the smell
•I feel like the snakes like it better but I think this is just pet conditioning from pet stores
•looks nicer (not a real concern)

CONS

Paper Towel:
•urine soaks the whole floor (I work 12 hr shifts and that is a long time for them to be sitting in pee
•doesn't for tub I have to use two strips. No real big deal but still a con
•can't spot clean because I find the messes are always a little bigger or smeared more so I do a full clean
•doesn't hold humidity very well

Aspen
•a little dusty and easy for shavings to get on the floor
•a little more of a pain to put in tubs
•A touch more expensive than paper towel
•more waste when cleaning tubs
•makes my monthly clean a little longer

These are just some points that I have been thinking about. I may make the switch back to aspen.

My biggest turn off is the urine soaking the whole tub. I just hate the idea of the snake sitting in its own pee for potentially 12 hours.

I would love to hear why you like your substrate.


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