I agree with most of what you said, but I think bark is an alright substrate. It's what I use. I suppose there is a risk of ingestion, but I can't see how aspen would be any less of a risk, especially the small chips for that matter. I imagine the risk is when the snake is shoving it's mouth along the prey item, picking up substrate.
The fact is, snakes aren't lizards. The risk of impaction from subsrate isn't the same. Snakes don't pounce on pray and slash their heads around. I'd be scared to put a bearded dragon on bark because it'll pick up bark instead of crickets.
Bark is also one of the best for smell and humidity.
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