I think it's all about personal preference when it all comes down to it. I use aspen in my tank and my quarantine rack and newspaper in my other racks. I prefer aspen because it's easier to spot clean and see where they did their business and hold humidity fairly well without being wet. I like the newspaper because it's easy to clean out and maintain. The only thing I know to avoid is pine and cedar, from what others have mentioned it is considered poisonous to reptiles. Kiln dried pine or cedar from what I gather is safe, since the poisonous oils are evaporated during the process. Good luck![]()