I use newspaper. I only use paper towels on hatchling BP"s. After a conversation with Adam a while back he told me about some nightmares regarding swallowing of paper towels, he sat in on a surgery where the paper towel caused an impaction. Paper towels are so absorbent and tough they do not break down like newspaper and can cause some serious problems if swallowed. I followed his recommendations and only use them on small BP's which could never swallow them. I used to swear by paper towels but I would rather learn from someone else's unfortunate personal experience.