substrate options

[bandicoot4]

okay so i have my ball pythons on aspen but i dont like how messy it can get and with more snakes coming soon is there anything that is easier to spot clean ? I plan on switching to news paper when i build my rack but for now i just need something that is easier to clean.

[Ripsaw642]

okay so i have my ball pythons on aspen but i dont like how messy it can get and with more snakes coming soon is there anything that is easier to spot clean ? I plan on switching to news paper when i build my rack but for now i just need something that is easier to clean.

For visibility, ease of cleaning i don't think there is anything more practical than aspen, cypress, newpaper or paper towel. Jungle bark looks good, and doesn't make such a mess, but it's hard to see what you're trying to pick out/clean. Reptile carpet works, but you have to wash it....

[SlitherinSisters]

I'm with newspaper or aspen as well. Only my hatchlings get aspen though.

[Boanerges]

I use newspaper for the bigger and paper towels for the smaller snakes personally.

[bandicoot4]

I use newspaper for the bigger and paper towels for the smaller snakes personally.

how does the news paper hold humidity though ? i had paper towels and they were not having complete sheds. i switched to aspen and they have been perfect so far

[Boanerges]

Doesn't hold it good at all. I use a water bowl and mist when needed. To up the humidity during sheds I just over fill the water bowls a little while in shed and no problems at all. I do the same for my burms. Not sure how well that will work in really dry states? I live in NJ and have no problems doing it that way. It's cheaper. I can keep my cages much cleaner to. Just the way that works for me and the way I like to do it

[Ripsaw642]

how does the news paper hold humidity though ? i had paper towels and they were not having complete sheds. i switched to aspen and they have been perfect so far

More surface area (ie smaller pieces) of substrate holds more humidity, so aspen, and even paper towel (more porous, tiny depressions, more surface area), is going to be better than newspaper. You can also increase the size of your water bowl, or move it to the warm side, or block off some ventilation holes when you notice your snake is 'in blue'. Or a combination of all 3.

[Boanerges]

I think some people with humidity issues also run a humidifier in their snake room when needed. Don't quote me on that though. Not sure how high you can get it with a humidifier, won't work in every situation either (like if you don't have a room or the room is to big, etc).

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More surface area (ie smaller pieces) of substrate holds more humidity, so aspen, and even paper towel (more porous, tiny depressions, more surface area), is going to be better than newspaper. You can also increase the size of your water bowl, or move it to the warm side, or block off some ventilation holes when you notice your snake is 'in blue'. Or a combination of all 3.

Yuppers

[NH93]

Apart from the substrates already mentioned, you are basically SOL there OP
Is aspen messy to you because it flakes all over the floor? Otherwise I am confused as to what you mean.
But newspaper is my suggestion for you; however if you want it to look more aesthetically pleasing you may want to suck it up and stick with aspen.

I'm not opposed to you inventing a new, snake-friendly substrate though...

[LadyByrd]

I was having humidity issues and changed to paper towels. It is amazing how little I have to spray the enclosures down now. It's also super easy to spot clean!