Type of preferred substrate

[enginee837]

I actually just switched from aspen to paper towels, mainly because of a major mite infestation, I finally got a handle on it. I also was having problems with the aspen, the snakes would sometimes get it in their mouths when feeding. I actually had one snake miss a mouse and get a mouthful of aspen and he could not get it out. So I had to grab him by the head and remove it. Probably won't ever go back to aspen again. Paper towels is fairly expensive for 18 snakes, I usually clean out several tubs twice per day with all those snakes. But it's quick and totally eliminates odors and seems to increase their feeding, almost all of them eat every time now, was never like that on aspen. And it holds humidity pretty good, I can crumple some up into balls and pour some water on them and it keeps it humid for a couple days, not too bad for a desert climate. I also love how I can see the poop and the mites, never knew my snakes went to the bathroom so much.

I had the same issue with aspen until I found it in the shaved form rather than the shredded form. The pieces are about 1/2" wide x 1/2" long (but curled) and paper thin. Unlike the shredded stuff that was like thousands of tiny aspen sticks that got everywhere, this stuff stays where it is supposed to be.