Substrate?!?!?!

[Breezybri52]

Hellos. I'm starting a snake rack and I'm debating on the substrate I wanna use. I'm wanting to do baby corn snakes, and maybe a few ball pythons too (we'll see). Anywho, I'm wanting to use something cheap but will make the snakes happy too. Also any tips on tub sizes will be greatly appreciated!

 

[MysticExotics]

I use paper towels for my babies. The select-a-size ones work perfect for the 6qt shoebox tubs.
I have used aspen and newspaper for when they move up to bigger bins.
It is up to you, as to which you prefer. Aspen is easier to spot clean, and they can burrow, but some find it dusty. Newspaper is free, but doesn't look nice, and once they poop, you have to change the whole thing.

I know one person who uses Coco Softand really likes it.
I have contemplated giving that a try.

 

[sian.kelly]

I use shredded aspen and my guy loves it, it allows them to burrow and is easy to clean! Don't use sand or a resinous wood like pine as these are harmful. [emoji4]

Can't help much with tank sizes sorry!


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[Karl_Mcknight]

I use a "Repti-Pad." It's basically like a piece of carpet that is made specifically for housing reptiles. It's completely washable and re-usable, it repels water, there's no dust or litter, and it's cheap. I have 2 pieces that fit the bottom of the enclosure. When one gets dirty, I remove it and put in the clean one. I then clean the dirty one and set it aside to be used next time.

 

[jagodzinski]

I use paper towels. I fold several layers (like 6-7) and make loops of papertowel throughout the viv for my snake to "burrow" in. I also fold the papertowel up to cover the bottom 2in of the sides because my snake has a habit of pooping there and it is much easier to put paper towels there than to clean the glass.

 

[cornsnakebob]

Newspaper/paper towels is so nice on so many levels. Snakes can use it as a hide, it helps then stay warmer, and it shows absolutely everything, so you can keep everything clean faster and easier.

 

[jp8899]

I use sani chips. Used to use aspen. Paper towels for babies.

 

[Breezybri52]

I was thinking of using aspen. Does it make a difference if I use the kind for hamsters? It's cheaper than snake aspen but seems more bulky. I might also do ball pythons. Might get the coconut fiber for them to hold humidity.

 

[smigon]

I prefer aspen. And you are correct, buying the "rodent" aspen is the same stuff as "snake" aspen, just 1/2 the cost!

 

[Breezybri52]

Might have to start getting it for my western hognose. That snake aspen adds up quickly but he loves to burrow in it and make little tunnels.

 

[SQUID67]

I've been using aspen. I read that shredded coconut can hold too much humidity in the terrarium and potentially cause respiratory problems in a corn snake. Good for pythons, but not corns.

 

[Blue Apple Herps]

I used aspen for years, but the past couple of years all the stuff I was getting was ridiculously dusty. Cleaning cages would have me sneezing in fits and wasn't doing my snakes any favors.

I've switched to butcher paper. It's dirt cheap and is easy to get down to size for the tubs/cages. Plus cleaning is easy as just remove the paper, spray and clean, then put down new pieces. I no longer have little bits of stray aspen all over the snake room.

 

[claire.chapman11]

Paper towel is easiest. Corns seem to really like aspen though, and cypress mulch has done wonders for my BPs sheds.

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[SQUID67]

Do you all know is the rodent aspen bedding just as good? Its cheaper, but given horror stories I've been reading about using pine or cedar chips I'm very cautious about taking any chances with a product I don't know about.

 

[Dragonling]

We use Sani-chip at work. It can get dusty in large quantities but it's pretty good overall.