Aspen bedding, bad?

[snake lab]

@kitedemon. The blockage was from aspen not cypress just to clarify. And yes i agree with you totally that any substrate has its issues. I just wanted to share experiences to show my oppinion was based on experience. I was happy with kambark cypress but cant find the stuff anywhere so i use newspaper stock.

[RyanT]

I've used aspen for years, it's perfect. I was pleasantly surprised recently to find that Petco is now making their own brand of aspen that is way less dusty than the last brand they used to stock. It's fluffier and smells better too. My whole snake room smells great now.

I also don't like the way such beautiful snakes look on plain, cheap newspaper. Just doesn't make sense to me.

[kitedemon]

It was in my snake not yours, proven with u/s and xray. The same can be said for all wood based substrates.

[snake lab]

@kitedemon sorry i misread. And as far as pretty snakes lookin bad on so called cheap paper, its not about look its about whats good for the animal. With paper you dont have the issues you have with organic substrates. I have no problem putting my high end stuff on paper. I do have an issue with putting them on something that can kill them

[2kdime]

I think my animals do better on a wood substrate than paper

They move around, nestle in, and seem more content

Thats just me

[kitedemon]

My point is simply nothing is with out issues, most papers have some amount of phenols from the paper production only high end paper is often marked phenol free (linen papers) Phenols are why cedar is bad for you it is high in phenol. (all wood products have it to some degree) Some paper has more of less batch to batch.

Everyone has to use something and it is a case of less bad, not 'safe' I don't believe aspen to be a poor bedding nor do I cyprus, my experience with it was bad and I'll not use any wood chip substrate again. I am not going to say it will kill your snakes sorry lab but it feels melodramatic. I agree Aspen has potential issues but so does everything else.

[L.West]

I'm currently using the Uline Indented Kraft Paper - do I need to worry about these "phenols" that are being mentioned??

I belive this paper was recommended on this site - which is why I started ordering it - its not cheap but I like the thickness of it.

Please advise if I need to switch again.

Thanks.

[kitedemon]

No it is unlikely to be an issue.

I don't believe in blanket statements, there are pros and cons to everything saying this is bad or that is is fine, that is opinion. The fact is nothing anywhere is with out some risk. I don't believe the risk involved with kraft paper is high nor do I believe the risk of Aspen is high, or any other commonly used substrates. Some have more issues than others like pine. I have decided for my self that kiln dried pine offers a relatedly low risk but raw pine is quite high. To my mind there would always be a question of is this kiln dried or not and that question makes it an unacceptable risk. I believe there are issues with Aspen but they do not pose significant risks, the same can be said for papers and coconut products. None have significant risks, it is opinion of how much and how serious that risk is.

If there were serious risk no one would suggest using it like cedar I have never seen anyone suggest it for keeping snakes on. There is significant risks with it the rest have much debate the fact there is debate suggests the risks are not massive ones. Other wise it would be clear and there would be many many problems associated with it.

[EverEvolvingExotics]

Thanks a lot for everyones input on this husbandry issue. It's good to know about the various risks associated with substrates.

[Brooke360]

I have been using the coconut husk and so far it rocks

It holds humidity really well, easy to clean, looks good, my BP likes it, it smells good, no mites, and no dust.

I have heard that its hard to find in some places, But I found it so I am using it.

Woahhh, hey. My vet told me that the oils from that stuff totally throws off their moisture and can be harmful, and clog up their anal passages as well as get into their nasal passages and throat. I would do some more research on that before continuing to use it... Personally, I find that newspaper works wonderfully.