Petco uses aspen as substrate

[Perrin024]

I went to petco yesterday because their balls were on sale for $29 and i wanted to look at them...The sales person was telling me to not even buy one from their because they dont use heaters they just keep it humid and they use aspen as a substrate! the manager told me it keeps away mites ...but the ball I looked at was being treated for them and had them on him! I told them why aspen is bad for them but they didnt care. it was appauling ive never seen such horrible care in my life! thats probably why they were 50 dollars off because they were in such bad condition and would probably die.

[Adam_Wysocki]

I told them why aspen is bad for them but they didnt care.

Aspen is not bad for ball pythons. I've raised many ball pythons on aspen and they are all thriving. Some of the most expensive ball pythons in the world are being kept on aspen.

-adam

[tigerlily]

I've had a word or two with our petco, but not because of aspen. As a matter of fact, I use it. Cedar and pine are the two big no-no's. Fortunately for snakes at my store the manager corrected two of my big concerns. One being no hides (even a half log) the second being no heat, 80 degrees on the hot side. I don't shop there anymore, but I do have every intention of going back and making sure they don't slack off again. I'm sure those people groan everytime I walk in the store. Too bad for them.

When I spoke to him he told me he drove the snake around with the window open to try and induce a feeding response. Has anyone ever heard of this? He said it was done by Reticulated and Burmese breeder he knew. I thought this would not be beneficial for such a shy species but I thought I would ask if anyone else had heard of it.

[daniel1983]

I have used aspen also. No problem there....just stay away from anything pine and cedar.

[Adam_Wysocki]

When I spoke to him he told me he drove the snake around with the window open to try and induce a feeding response.

LMAO!!

-adam

[Ginevive]

Aspen is fine to use with BPs. Personally I prefer cypress mulch from the local garden store. it is 3 measly dollars for a 20 pound bag. I do superheat it with scalding water before using, to kill off any bugs that may be in there. Then when I change the cages, I just put the old stuff out in the garden (where, interestingly, cypress mulch is present!)

[doobysnack]

ok i am the 35th person to say it lol aspen isnt bad
now pine and cedar yes bad.

[tigerlily]

LMAO!!

-adam

OK, I take that as a big no.

[drdingo21]

I just got my first snake on Sunday from petco, because they were on sale for $29.
The tanks at the petco I went to looked good. They had a light, and an under tank mat and used aspen bedding. They said they had more in the back that they weren't selling because they aren't eating.

I got the BP on Sunday and fed her on the same day they feed her (Thursay) and she ate without a problem. Overall I'm happy with my local Petco.

[Ken]

As for the driving the snake around thing - it works! But you have to drive around in a neighborhood with a lot of restauraunts.

When my snakes see a Ruby Tuesdays, or an Applebees, or even a Wendys drive-through, they just can't wait to eat.

If I drive them around a residential neighborhood, they only want to mow the lawn and watch TV.

So remember, if you are trying to stimulate a feeding response, drive by a restaurant. Don't drive by a Dunkin' Donuts or anything like that. Junk food is bad for snakes.

K