Snake bedding

[Jackk]

Can I use Birch wood sawdust shavings as a bedding for my ball python? The reason why I'm asking this is because I can't find aspen bedding or any kind of wood chips anywhere near and i really do hate how paper towels/newspaper look in my terrarium.. I'd prefer something more natural..

[MarkS]

Any hardwood chips should be fine. You want to use something that doesn't contain a lot of aromatic oils or have a real strong smell. Another problem you can run into with wood is that it can be very dusty which can cause respiratory problems so just make sure it doesn't contain a lot of dust.

[Mike41793]

Where do you live that you can't get Aspen or cypress? Every home Depot has the cypress mulch and tractor supply has big bags of Aspen, you don't have to use the stuff from the pet store.

[MarkS]

Where do you live that you can't get Aspen or cypress? Every home Depot has the cypress mulch and tractor supply has big bags of Aspen, you don't have to use the stuff from the pet store.

Exactly right, You often need to get creative on where you buy your supplies, pet stores are only one (and usually the most expensive) option. Around here places are starting to get low on cypress mulch. Being a landscaping product the home improvement stores around here only stock it in spring and summer and whatever is currently on the shelves will be all that is available until next spring. Most of the places around here will be out by September or October. However I'm usually able to get aspen year round at the local fleet farm, most other farm supply stores should be the same.

[Mike41793]

Exactly right, You often need to get creative on where you buy your supplies, pet stores are only one (and usually the most expensive) option. Around here places are starting to get low on cypress mulch. Being a landscaping product the home improvement stores around here only stock it in spring and summer and whatever is currently on the shelves will be all that is available until next spring. Most of the places around here will be out by September or October. However I'm usually able to get aspen year round at the local fleet farm, most other farm supply stores should be the same.

Yea and the good thing is when you buy it from Home Depot or tractor supply it's usually WAY cheaper than the pet stores, you get more because they're bigger bags, and don't have to pay shipping vs ordering online. And it makes great mulch for around your yard. Just toss all the used bedding in a designated bucket and empty it outside.

[MarkS]

And it makes great mulch for around your yard. Just toss all the used bedding in a designated bucket and empty it outside.

LOL, back when I used to to use a lot of cypress mulch, all of my wife's flower beds contained shed skins and snake poop.