Opinions on reptile mats?

[Rednick]

My current substrate is a reptile mat or "carpet." I have 3 hides in my viv, are there any problems with using the carpet?

 

[kaypar2011]

I think it is harder to keep clean than aspen. My snakes love burrowing in the aspen also.

 

[Nythain]

No real *problems*, but most repticarpets are really absorbent, making them excellent breeding grounds for bacteria and near impossible to get completely clean.

 

[Guruofchem]

Yep -carpet is great for breeding bacteria. Aspen is easy to spot clean and much more hygienic as a result.

 

[smigon]

The Petco lady told me that it starts to really stink after a few uses, I would stick to aspen. They love to burrow so this in itself is a pro for aspen! Also, if you do go for aspen, buy it in the rodent section: same stuff, different packaging and they sell so much of it that the price is much better.

 

[Nythain]

Alternatives to the popular aspen route that are similar to repticarpet would be paper towels, blue shop towels, or newspaper. Very absorbant, easy to spot clean, and most importantly, cheap and disposable. I currently use blue shop towels and change them out shortly after each feed. I don't even bother spot cleaning since they're so cheap, just get Plissken out for a playdate with the wife, and use that time to toss the old and lay down some new. I'm also a fan of the pretty blue color.

 

[Rednick]

Thanks, I think I'll make the switch pretty soon, how often do those of you who use aspen change it? Weekly? Every 2 weeks?

 

[wildlifephotographer]

Rednick, I've used Aspen since I first started keeping snakes 7 years ago and I would recommend a full change of the whole enclosure every 2-4 months. If you spot clean on a regular basis as needed when you see poop or a lot of spilled water and just replace the amount that needs to be cleaned out that should be enough. I only do more often if it really gets smelly.

 

[wildlifephotographer]

I got me a popper scooper at Petsmart and just use it to shovel up the aspen that needs changed and thrown out and then I replace what I take out with a couple of hand fulls of clean stuff.

 

[Nanci]

I used to use reptile carpet when I had just a couple snakes. You need to have two sets- so you can take one out and wash it, and replace it with the clean one. Snakes can still burrow under it, which makes it difficult to get them out. You end up having to remove all their hides, water bowl, etc. to get to the snake. I remember when I switched to aspen and could just squiggle my fingers down and find the snakes- they were so surprised! Aspen is _much_ easier to deal with.

 

[Rednick]

Seriously thanks guys! I can't wait to build my viv. Gotta wait for a few more pay checks though. Being a broke high school student sucks haha.

 

[Myca]

Buy aspen at the local Feed Store and even better priced.