Best substrate for BPs

[LadyByrd]

What is the best substrate to use for my bps? I am using Aspen shavings right now, but I have read in various places that it is better to use something simple like paper towels or newspaper. So, those of you who have been doing this for a while, what do you suggest?

Thanks,
LadyByrd

[Stewart_Reptiles]

The best is the one that works for you.

I have use many different substrate over the years newspaper, cypress, aspen.

Now I use Cypress and aspen exclusively. Cypress is great to hold humidity especially during the winter months so this is what I use with my adults, and for all my hatchling I use aspen which provides added security by allowing BP to burrow in the substrate.

I would stay away from anything that is ground for bacteria to multiply quickly such as reptile carpet etc.

[Lubana]

I'm using a roll-out carpet-looking thing (sold for terrarium floors). It's very easy to keep clean, and my snakes don't seem to mind it. It also seems to help with shedding.

[Yamitaifu]

to keep humidity i recommend cyprus. it works really well. aspen is also good but if it gets wet it can mold. Newspaper and paper towels are cheap and work of. the only thing is that you cant spot clean like you can on a mulch. Best thing you can do is to try them and see which you like best.

[PitOnTheProwl]

I use paper towels but like said, use what works for you.

[steve_r34]

I use newspaper and aspen when they get bigger .. just got to find what works for u

[Reptile Frenzy]

We use paper towels for the hatching rack and aspen for the adult racks. Spot clean when ever there is crap in there. To keep humidity up in room we just use a whole house humidifier from sears. It gets the job done.

[barbie.dragon]

Whatever works for you is the best. I believe it depends on how warm your house is, humidity, what enclosure you're using and what heat source you are using.

Eco Earth: Has a nice look, contrasts well with my albino ball python. Helps keep humidity up. I use this with my heat lamp.
Cypress: Also has a nice look, contrasts well with my albino ball python. Helps keep humidity up better than Eco Earth (in my experience). Used with both UTH and lamp. When used in a tub with a uth it made the humidity skyrocket. In a terrarium it was ok since I used a heat lamp+uth.
Aspen: I used this when I kept my snake in a tub. It was great. I would check it every few days as it can mold when it gets wet. I also used this in my snake's terrarium. It was pretty easy to maintain. Had both a UTH and heat lamp. Humidity was a pain to keep up without compromising circulation.
Paper Towels: These are very convenient too if your snake is in a tub. I like to have a double layer. It was pretty convenient to have in a terrarium as well.

I'm switching my ball python to a BAS (bioactive substrate) and I don't like cleaning the cage often. I also like the natural look with live plants. I'm also really into landscaping the terrarium with rocks, branches etc and don't mind keeping track of the live plants. Then again I only have one snake, an albino that would look great in a dark soiled terrarium with green plants and dark decor. It's a weird hobby of mine to do vivariums so that is what's best for me. With my vivarium I'll be using a full spectrum light, UVB bulb (maybe), Night lamp and a CHI (if needed). Anyways it's a lot more work as my house gets cold during the winters. But yeah have fun choosing a substrate!

[rzreptile]

I use cypress and newspaper for my ball pythons and aspen for my kings. Recently went to my local newspaper and purchased an "end roll" for $2. An end roll is unprinted newspaper paper. The role I have has to equate to a couple hundred newspapers it was huge and readily available


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[LadyByrd]

Thank you everyone. I am still experimenting because I am trying to keep humidity levels at optimum levels. The aspen helped, but it isn't perfect. I clean the cage weekly, so I guess I will try paper towels or newspaper next (since I have that on hand already) and if that doesn't work the way I want it to, I will try the cyprus. I like this, it's kind of fun trying to figure everything out.

Oh, and I had "freaked out" in my first post about my baby not shedding since I got her in late November, well, I panicked too soon! Cloudy blue eyes today, so I guess I am leaving her alone for the next week.

Thanks for all of the input on everything.