Eco-terra coconut fiber

[dizzl]

Is coconut fiber a suitable substrate for corns?

 

[susang]

While I realize this is a forum for learning so many questions can be answered by using the search function:

http://cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17704&highlight=substrate

I agree in the beginning it is difficult and the link is two years old, but I believe the poll would still yield the same results. :wavey:

 

[tyflier]

Is coconut fiber a suitable substrate for corns?

I find that coconut fiber holds too much humidity for corns. They don't need a whole lot during "normal" times, and only a slight increase during shedding. I prefer Aspen as a particulate substrate, as it is non-toxic, relatively dust free and looks decent in the cage. I've also been know to mix aspen with coconut chunks just for a bit of color.

FWIW...all of my boids are on shredded coconut fiber substrate. Makes it much easier to maintain a 75% or higher humidity level...

 

[tracy0416]

I find that coconut fiber holds too much humidity for corns. They don't need a whole lot during "normal" times, and only a slight increase during shedding. I prefer Aspen as a particulate substrate, as it is non-toxic, relatively dust free and looks decent in the cage. I've also been know to mix aspen with coconut chunks just for a bit of color.

FWIW...all of my boids are on shredded coconut fiber substrate. Makes it much easier to maintain a 75% or higher humidity level...

Thanks for the idea. Humidity levels in this house are rediculously low. The only snake in my house which NEVER has trouble shedding is the one on a bioactive substrate, which, does have coco-peat mixed in with the dirt.

My 5 month old corns are on aspen and so are my Ball Pythons.
I am thinking of mixing cocopeat into all the tanks:
- a higher coconut to aspen ratio for the ball pythons (they need more humidity than corns)
- a lower coconut to aspen ratio for the corns

...will allow me to play with, achieve and control the proper humidity levels better for all my snakes.

What a great suggestion!!

Coconut does hold humidity REALLY well and it also doesn't go moldy and has a lovely smell. I like it quite a lot but had worried about the dust. I also don't like the colour of the aspen and was just thinking today of a way to "colour" the aspen safely.

This is a perfect idea on so many levels. I have and do place the waterbowl over the UTH (corns) and under the radiant heat source (BPs) to maintain humidity but the way that cocopeat works makes me feel it would allow for a longer nad more even control over humidity. Comments?

Thanks Tyflier!

 

[tyflier]

It works. I live at 4,000' in the middle of the high desert, with an average summertime temp of around 105*F and an average humidity of around 15%. Without cocnut substrate, good humidity and proper sheds would be nearly impossible.

I keep all my colubrids in racks, now, so humidity is not an issue. These racks hold humidity great, without over doing it. Prior to racks, I kept them on a mix os aspen and coconut chunks, which kept humidity levels near 50% with routine misting. Aspen alone could not keep the levels above 20%.

My boa and python are both in Critter Cages with shredded coconut fiber which keeps the humidity higher for longer. And when it dries out, I simply spill some water around the cage, the fibers absorb it, and the humidity dissipates over time.

 

[Hypancistrus]

I keep moist hides in my snakes and lizards tanks at all times. I've never had problems with sheds since using this strategy. All three of my snakes are on aspen, the fire skink is in the orchid bark, the leo is on carpet, and the frogs are all in cocofiber.

 

[tracy0416]

I keep moist hides in my snakes and lizards tanks at all times. I've never had problems with sheds since using this strategy. All three of my snakes are on aspen, the fire skink is in the orchid bark, the leo is on carpet, and the frogs are all in cocofiber.

Ben refuses to use his moist hides so this cocopeat idea is perfect for him.