Some answers please?

[Rage Beard Reptiles]

I just recently purchased my first ball python. He is a beautiful butter. I have done my research and there is a question that I can't get a straight answer on. Is coco core an ok substrate for ball pythons? Also I have had my snake for about two weeks, he had one bm about two days after I got him I fed him two days later and it's been about a week since then and nothing should I be concerned? If so what can I do for him? Thanks for your help!

[Maixx]

Welcome!

Coco is ok for bp's, my personal opinion of it is negative, I found it was either too wet or too dry and dusty. I just use paper towel.

Bp's don't defecate after every meal (weekly), they are very good at processing their meals and will not need to defecate as much. I find with my good feeder he may go once every few weeks. My colubrids (the 2 rat snakes) its almost like clock work, 4-5 days after they eat.

Here is a good care sheet, a must read for new bp owners.
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...s%29-Caresheet

[Rage Beard Reptiles]

Thank you. I really apriciate the help. Alot of people wouldn't have given me so much info.

[Mike41793]

Yup as was already said the coco coir is fine for them. Its actually one of the better ones imo because of how well it holds humidity. Also some dont poop regularly and some do. Some only go once a month or after they shed. Younger balls are converting alot of their food into muscle/fat etc. so almost all of it and its nutrients are being used. In other words not alot of waste is there for them to poop out lol

[The Serpent Merchant]

Coco coir is coconut husk that has been pulverized.

[kitedemon]

Coco coir is fine. I use it almost exclusively. I'd not suggest paper towel but for the small hatchlings if it is accidentally ingested there is a life threatening problem. Somewhere recently there was a photo of a dead snake with paper towel down its throat. Most of the common chip ones are fine (cyprus, aspen) and the variations care fresh. These are all fine newspaper/craft paper too.

Paper is cheap and easy. It cannot be 'spot cleaned' and is hydroscopic it absorbs RH from the air.

Cyprus mulch looks good, not super cheap, can be spot cleaned, holds humidity well, can become lodged in mouth. It is also questionable environmentally.

Aspen chips looks good, not super cheap, can be spot cleaned, holds humidity ok, can become lodged in mouth, prone to mould.

Aspen shavings looks good, not super cheap, can be spot cleaned, holds humidity ok, dusty, prone to mould.

Coco coir (fine particles) very cheap, looks good, can be spot cleaned, holds humidity super well, dusty, can be difficult to prepare. Sometimes snakes get a mouthful (never heard of an issue from it however)

Coco Husk products (chunks) cheap, looks good, can be spot cleaned, holds humidity very well, can be difficult to prepare. Larger chunks don't 'stick' to prey easily.

These are the substrate I personally have used I cannot say much for the others out there a friend in europe is using hemp based one similar to coco he likes it so far. I have never seen it here in north america.

[Rage Beard Reptiles]

Thanks for the info! I am glad I decided to join this web sight everyone is very helpful.

[Slim]

Welcome to BP.net!

Ask any random 20 BP keepers what they use for substrate, and you'll probably get 12 different answers, and they will all be right. As long as you aren't using something with pine oils in it, you'll be fine. Most of us went through several different substrates before we settled on what works best for us.

BPs pretty much poop when they need/want to. Young ones are pretty efficient at turning rodent into growth, so there isn't much left over for waste.

So, you have a beautiful new Butter, huh? Didn't happen without pictures

[Rage Beard Reptiles]

I will be posting some tonight after I get off of work. About 1 am. Stay tuned.

[Rage Beard Reptiles]

Look at my gallery I uploaded some pics of My butter ball scotch.