Shredded Printer Paper as substrate?

[wliebbe]

While stuck working from home I have to frequently print out things. I use regular white paper on a laser printer. I also use a cross cut shredder so the pieces are about 1/4 inch.

I was wondering if the shredded paper can be used as a substrate for my 3 BPs.

Opinions?

[KevinK]

While stuck working from home I have to frequently print out things. I use regular white paper on a laser printer. I also use a cross cut shredder so the pieces are about 1/4 inch.

I was wondering if the shredded paper can be used as a substrate for my 3 BPs.

Opinions?

I’ve actually done exactly that and it works well...provided your room humidity is where it needs to be.


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[Bogertophis]

I've been doing this for years with all my CLEAN office type paper (absorbent- not glossy,& never outer envelopes that went thru the mail- to avoid pathogens!). I don't keep BPs & this isn't a humidity-raising type of substrate though- in fact I mix mine about 50:50 with Carefresh. But IMO, it's a great way to recycle & save $ on substrates, & my snakes (mostly colubrids) do like it.

As KevinK noted, you'll need a source of humidity for snakes such as BPs, either a humid hide, or room humidifier.

[KevinK]

I forgot to mention that shredded newspaper or regular paper is also EXCELLENT for breeding rats as well. You end up changing the bedding every day anyways and it’s pretty absorbent overall and next to free as well. They also love it and bury in it. I always put down a couple sheets of newspaper in the rat bin and covered it in a few inches of shreds. Good stuff Momma rats love it too.


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[Bogertophis]

The only paper I wouldn't use is if it gives off a noticeable chemical smell- most newspapers & office printers (etc) use non-toxic soy-based ink these days (as far as I've been told), but I just don't assume there are no exceptions out there. I let my nose decide, "if in doubt I throw it out".