Sand Substrate???

[pigfat]

Don't be too harsh if this is a stupid question...but what does everyone think about using sand as a substrate? I know it can hold moisture pretty well and would be a breeze to clean "just suck it out with a shop vac". I just didn't know if it would hurt the snake?

[ballpythonluvr]

This is not the best substrate to use for a ball python. It could be a problem when you go to feed the snake if you feed in the enclosure and it can stuck in their scales as well. There could be a host of problems using sand for bedding.

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

Impaction and clogged heat pits is a big worry since BPs are not a sandy type substrate or burrowing snake. They are not designed for it at all.

[pigfat]

Yep, stupid question lol.

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

No, not stupid. There are no stupid questions if you honestly had no idea. Look at a sand boa. Small shovel nose that goes almost flat at the end for easy burrowing so no sand gets in the mouth with heat pits so small you can barely see them. They are designed to live in a sandy/dirt/clay type area.

Ball pythons wouldn't fare as well in the long run. Plus, it is very dry normally and would make for terrible sheds but if you got it wet it would be clumpy. What a mess.

[Adam Chandler]

Sand is not a good choice for BP's at all.

Since there is so much bad, wrong and flat out dangerous info floating around about BP's there really is no stupid questions.

Kudos for asking rather than just believing what you heard, it really was the smart thing to do.

[Bill T]

I agree. Sand would be very bad for a bp's health. I used to use bark substrate but after one of my females almost chocked to death on it i switched to newspaper. I know it doesnt look as nice but its safer, cheap, and very easy to get.

[pigfat]

Thanks, I'm just paranoid of screwing up and hurting my BP. Its my first one and its 100% het. for albino. I hope to breed him in a year or two. Also, I have seen some tanks that have cut a piece of plexiglas the width of the tank and about 4 inches high and siliconed it in, making a "pool" on one of the sides of the tanks. I know this sounds crazy but I actually kinda enjoy cleaning stuff because I would go for looks over easiness "so long as its healthy". I was thinking about putting in a small waterfall with a filter so it will filter the water. Would this be good for the snake to drink/soak and to keep up humidity as it gets dry in the winter here?

[Adam Chandler]

Thanks, I'm just paranoid of screwing up and hurting my BP. Its my first one and its 100% het. for albino. I hope to breed him in a year or two. Also, I have seen some tanks that have cut a piece of plexiglas the width of the tank and about 4 inches high and siliconed it in, making a "pool" on one of the sides of the tanks. I know this sounds crazy but I actually kinda enjoy cleaning stuff because I would go for looks over easiness "so long as its healthy". I was thinking about putting in a small waterfall with a filter so it will filter the water. Would this be good for the snake to drink/soak and to keep up humidity as it gets dry in the winter here?

A pool/waterfall in a BP enclosure would first off be wasted on a BP. BP's do not "like" water. They do not soak in water unless they have mites or no where to hide, and they do not enjoy swimming. In the wild they live inside rodent burrows and termite mounds in grassy savannas, they are not tropical snakes. They like some humidity, but not water or mist.

Also with a waterfall you are talking about some major maintenance.

I would not recommend anything more than a decently sized water bowl for a BP enclosure.

[Salodin]

If you enjoy it, then by all means do it. Your snake won't really care about it, but if you house your bp in a display tank then I think it would look rather neat. Once I replace my bps enclosure for a bigger one in a year or so, I plan on doing some really neat things with it, including a waterfall.