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Corn cob
- Thread starter Shaky
- Start date
Wannabevet83
New member
I'm not positive, but I think I've heard that a couple of the reasons are that it is too rough for the snake and can cause abrasions and it absorbs too much moisture, and can dry out the snake.
These are just things I've heard...someone please correct me if I'm wrong
These are just things I've heard...someone please correct me if I'm wrong
cj_corns789
New member
yes its not really for snakes. it really drys out the air and makes it hard for the snake to shed.
the thing about burrowing is true.. as is the drying out of the air BUT that can be overcome by use of a second water bowl. I use corn cob as a substrate and have had no problems with it but i would agree that there are other alternatives that may well be better suited to snakes.
Oh and Rachel, about not hearing about anyone using it for snakes.. i`ve stated on this board many times that i use it
Oh and Rachel, about not hearing about anyone using it for snakes.. i`ve stated on this board many times that i use it
pinatamonkey
Ophidiophile
I've heard that it also molds easily and can easily cause impaction if digested.
mold is a problem if you spill water on it...
impaction shouldn`t be a problem as its supposedly digestable.
still, its a good idea to feed ina separate container or other such feeding technique... lets avoid tempting fate eh?
again, I use it and have no problem with it but i understand that there are other, better alternatives available.
impaction shouldn`t be a problem as its supposedly digestable.
still, its a good idea to feed ina separate container or other such feeding technique... lets avoid tempting fate eh?
again, I use it and have no problem with it but i understand that there are other, better alternatives available.
Wannabevet83
New member
blito said:
Corn cob is digestible? I've never heard of that, learn something new every day.
Wannabevet83
New member
blito said:
Okay, that's what I figured...I didn't want to be mean and say something like "what the hell are you talking about!?!?" LOL
As far as the quotes...I already did on that orginal message sorry
Hopefully then will look down one more post before sending you hate mail
Shaky
Ought to know better
Ahh, impaction....*sigh*
I've had a problem with impaction only once, and it wasn't a cornsnake. When the snake finally crapped, there was no apparent cause in the stool.
Every time I hear the word impaction, I think of wild snake habitat. They live in sand, leaves, twigs, dirt, mud, pebbles, etc., etc. They almost never get to choose their dining table, and I am certain that most cases have them swallowing a little bit of landscape.
I can't imagine impaction ever being that big a deal in the wild. A snake would have to swallow much more than a mouthful of anything before it could cause impaction.
A cornsnake can lay an egg as big around as its body. If it can't crap a few swollen chunks of corn cob, it may as well die already.
I've always wanted to hear from others how much impaction they deal with. I'd bet its very rare.
I've had a problem with impaction only once, and it wasn't a cornsnake. When the snake finally crapped, there was no apparent cause in the stool.
Every time I hear the word impaction, I think of wild snake habitat. They live in sand, leaves, twigs, dirt, mud, pebbles, etc., etc. They almost never get to choose their dining table, and I am certain that most cases have them swallowing a little bit of landscape.
I can't imagine impaction ever being that big a deal in the wild. A snake would have to swallow much more than a mouthful of anything before it could cause impaction.
A cornsnake can lay an egg as big around as its body. If it can't crap a few swollen chunks of corn cob, it may as well die already.
I've always wanted to hear from others how much impaction they deal with. I'd bet its very rare.
Rachel
Vet nurse in training!
Sorry Blito, up till now I have never read any of your posts that state you use corn cob. The first I heard of it was the other day when reading the thread asking about Bed o Kob.
As for it being digestable, that's the theory, but it has apparantly caused several cases of imaction with leopard geckos.
Shaky, I think impaction is more to do with the build up of undigestible matter round the gut lining which will cause damage rather than it being a problem with pushing something out (like an egg).
As for it being digestable, that's the theory, but it has apparantly caused several cases of imaction with leopard geckos.
Shaky, I think impaction is more to do with the build up of undigestible matter round the gut lining which will cause damage rather than it being a problem with pushing something out (like an egg).
cj_corns789
New member
on the bag it does say it can be eaten. but i would not want any of my snakes eating it.
some interesting views coming out here....
i would like to point out that my snake has lived her entire 18 month life on this stuff, she isn`t "digger", she isn`t fed directly on the substrate ( i do this either on my dining table or by putting paper towels in the tank), and i take care of the potential dryness problem by providing a second water bowl in the hot end of the tank. i can`t stress enough that i know the potential risks of this particular type of substrate and i take precautions to minimize the risks.
The key factor in me choosing to continue with this stuff is that it is the only substrate available in my local area.. the local herp seller swears by it and sells quite a lot of it... and claims never to have had any of his customers complain.. sales patter maybe? maybe but he does seem a genuine guy and he does look after his stock pretty well.
For anyone considering using this type of substrate i think you need to weight up the pros and cons before deciding...
PROS :-
Cheap
Easy to spot clean
Odourless
Attractive appearance
Enviromentally friendly
CONS :-
May dry the air in the tank
May be abbrasive, especially to snakes that like to burrow
May cause problems if ingested
May cause mold grouth if allowed to become wet
If you can safely say you can prevent the cons from becoming a problem then the substrate is suitable for you , if not then choose something else.
I think that fairly answers this whole debate.
i would like to point out that my snake has lived her entire 18 month life on this stuff, she isn`t "digger", she isn`t fed directly on the substrate ( i do this either on my dining table or by putting paper towels in the tank), and i take care of the potential dryness problem by providing a second water bowl in the hot end of the tank. i can`t stress enough that i know the potential risks of this particular type of substrate and i take precautions to minimize the risks.
The key factor in me choosing to continue with this stuff is that it is the only substrate available in my local area.. the local herp seller swears by it and sells quite a lot of it... and claims never to have had any of his customers complain.. sales patter maybe? maybe but he does seem a genuine guy and he does look after his stock pretty well.
For anyone considering using this type of substrate i think you need to weight up the pros and cons before deciding...
PROS :-
Cheap
Easy to spot clean
Odourless
Attractive appearance
Enviromentally friendly
CONS :-
May dry the air in the tank
May be abbrasive, especially to snakes that like to burrow
May cause problems if ingested
May cause mold grouth if allowed to become wet
If you can safely say you can prevent the cons from becoming a problem then the substrate is suitable for you , if not then choose something else.
I think that fairly answers this whole debate.
