Hi everybody,

I’ve read the posts on the poll about substrate and I think I’ve learned a lot. However, I do have some specific questions about a couple different types.

1) Aspen: this sounds great, with holding moisture and being easy to spot-clean. However...

  1. When feeding is it possible for the snake to get this stuck in his/her mouth or to swallow it? If so, is there any possibility of it harming the animal or can they digest it?

    I read on another forum that if snakes eat certain mulch/fibre substrates they can eventually die because it won’t digest and will just build up in their bellies. I don’t know if that is true or not, but I know it can happen to birds with certain indigestible items.

  2. Is it true Aspen is prone to molding? How often would you recommend changing the entire substrate? (I’d guess once a month.)

  3. Would this be a suitable substrate for a 2-month old? I would be fine keeping him on paper, but I am having trouble keeping the humidity up. I have thus far managed to do it, but only with a lot of work – more so than I take it should be necessary.


2) ReptiBark: it seems that it does not hold moisture as well, but it is impervious (or close to it) to molding. However, not many people seem to suggest it for snakes.

  1. Are there any qualities that might make it preferable to Aspen?

  2. Might it be advisable to use one type of substrate for young BPs and then switch to another as adults? (Specify?)


Thanks in advance!