My BP ate some aspen bedding...

[frost0214]

Hi Folks, my BP ate some aspen bedding while feeding... i tried grabbing some from her mouth but i didnt catch all. She seemed to have downed them now...

should i worry? and should i start feeding on a separate feeding bin?

[Ezekiel285]

Hmm, hopefully somebody that has experienced this will comment on what you should do about the snake itself. As for the separate tub thing, the BPs i keep on aspen are either moved before i feed them or I put paper/paper towels down over the aspen to prevent them from accidentally ingesting any.

[mattchibi]

Yeah, you could put some paper towel down next time inside your tank (just make sure your rodent is completely dry also, and nothing will stick to it..) I dont think you need to feed in a seperate container, that just stresses them out.

Imo your snake will be fine. Its not like they dont get some "substrate" in their mouth in the wild.

[SourDeez]

I am pretty sure you wont have an issue, I have heard they have strong acids to digest the bones and what not so a little aspen bedding wont hurt at all I am sure it will be digested.

[frost0214]

thanks Guys! this is helpful and reassuring. i feed p/k so it is not wet at all.

I will take the tip on putting a paper towel.. this is simple and brilliant!

waiting for more helpful comments...

[decensored]

Hey There,

I wouldn't worry. BP's digestive system is very efficient and can break down pretty much anything. There are some cases of Aspen causing an animal to become impacted but my guys have swallowed plenty of aspen and have never had any issues. One thing I have noticed is when the prey size is too small than alot of Bedding is able to get pulled into the snakes mouth. I noticed virtually no Aspen being digested when I went to bigger prey animals.

Cheers.

[therunaway]

Yeah, you could put some paper towel down next time inside your tank (just make sure your rodent is completely dry also, and nothing will stick to it..) I dont think you need to feed in a seperate container, that just stresses them out.

Imo your snake will be fine. Its not like they dont get some "substrate" in their mouth in the wild.

BUT!, they may get tank aggressive . that wouldnt be good,

[mattchibi]

BUT!, they may get tank aggressive . that wouldnt be good,

Unless you smell like rodents I seriously doubt it. Snakes are crazy predators in the wild. They have a heightened sense of "smell" believe it or not.. Just remember to always wash your hands before and after handling your snake and you shouldnt have any problems.

[kitedemon]

A few bits of wood chips are not a problem a lot can be in rare cases (I mean a lot) There is a word of caution my vet, VPI and a handful of others all say that one thing that is not digestible is a sheet of paper towel. rats are sometimes wet and paper towel can and has in the past stuck to prey items and been ingested too, that is especially a concern with small snakes. Use plastic or regular paper (doesn't fold and stick the same way) instead as a guard. It simply is not worth taking a chance even if it is slight. There is a member here whom had this happen I just don't remember whom now.

[Skiploder]

BUT!, they may get tank aggressive . that wouldnt be good,

The aspen won't hurt your snake.

Snakes don't get "tank aggressive".