Question about switching substrates

[abrunsen]

Hey, I have my BP on aspen right now but I really like the look of the Eco Earth Loose Coconut fiber. Has anyone used this before? Is it ok for BPs? Any pros and cons would be wonderful.

Thanks,
Alex

[Kaorte]

You could use it for a ball python, yes. I personally don't like it just because it is a nightmare to clean. I really dislike cleaning dirt if I don't need to. I like to keep it basic with apsen or paper towels.

Coconut Fiber is good for holding humidity, but if it is too wet for too long it can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Snake messes are a little harder to spot on it, so your snake might be laying on a moist bed of poo for a while before you notice it. Conversely, if it is too dry it becomes very dusty.

I would say paper towels, newspaper, aspen, or cypress mulch are the best ball python substrates.

[Skittles1101]

I personally dislike coco fiber with a passion too. I started out using it and it just gets everywhere...even worse than the aspen. I've changed everyone from coco fiber to aspen, and now from aspen to newspaper. Makes life easy

Edit: Also, coco fiber is impossible to spot clean. That's one thing I liked about the aspen is how easy it is to spot clean

[kitedemon]

I use coco fibre substrate it is messy it gets everywhere. I find cleaning it a breeze however... shop vac. It does hold humidity better than anything in fact too well it can get really crazy if you do not mix dry and damp. I usually just break it up dry and then mist and mix it before use.

Just a work of caution paper towels can be quite dangerous if feeding on them, they often require surgery to correct if accidentally ingested.

I have never had any issues spot cleaning it just clumps around •things• and easily lifts out. To each his own I guess.

[akjadlnfkjfdkladf]

Does repti bark make a good substrate for ball pythons?

[evan385]

Does repti bark make a good substrate for ball pythons?

I would have to say no, just my opinion.

[Maixx]

(Quoted from the last time I posted about substrate)

I've tried a lot of different subs but in the end I went with paper for my bps. They don't "mess" that often so its not a big deal to clean up, but they can get messy themselves. I end up soaking them while I clean up their cage (viv, not tubs).
My Ratsnakes are in aspen, but they burrow a lot and need daily spot cleaning.
With adult bp's spot cleaning can mean removing large fist sized lumps of substrate to get all the soiled sub out.
I've tried many of subs available here.
-I found dry Eco earth was very dusty, but clumped and cleaned easy. It was also either too wet or too dusty. My bp's kept sneezing from the dust. I also found it was constantly getting their water.
-Bark, when rinsed was good but really insulated against a UTH, 1 inch deep was about all I could put in, and almost useless with so little.
- I also tried a mix 50/50 Eco earth and bark but it ended up being the worst of both.
-aspen was good but still dusty and not cheap, also an insulator against a UTH.

I ended up using news paper, its almost free (mailers), dustless, little chance of injestion, and it doesn't insulate against a UTH for more stable heat. But there's no spot cleaning, the snakes can get messy, if water is spilled its not really absorbent. But when it is cleaned up, its clean.

Since writing this I switched from news paper to paper towels because they're more absorbent and no ink.

[abrunsen]

Thank you so much everyone! You were all very helpful. After what you guys have said, I think I will stick to aspen....

[tsy72001]

I would have to say no, just my opinion.

I have to say yes it does. I used it for several months and it was great with helping get the shed off.


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[rperry03]

Does repti bark make a good substrate for ball pythons?

Reptibark works well. Easy to spot clean, holds humidity, and like someone else has said....its great for shedding. Switched mine to newspaper from it after changing enclosures and you could tell that the snakes would have cursed me out if they were able