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Substrate !

jel10uk

jel10uk

New member
I have a 3 month old snake which I keep on birch chips as a substrate.Having read a few threads I find no mention of this. Am I using entirely the wrong stuff? Should I be using Aspen? this seems to get a lot of mentions.
 
I use aspen. I've heard of a few people using birch, and I haven't heard of any problems from doing so.
 
Aspen I think is the most widely used because it is cheaper in Bulk Quantities. A large 20 lb Bale is about 20 bucks where I buy it at, and the bale lasts me about 8 to 9 months...I use it for my mice and my snakes.

Birch Chips are non-toxic...at least everything I can find on them points that way. If you aren't having problems with it, keep using it. But you might want to compare prices between the birch and Aspen.
 
I've used wood chips (no idea of wood - but recommended for snakes) and they're good.

Aspen does work out cheaper, looks nicer, and it absorbs their crap so it's easier to spot clean if you want to.

With wood chips it sorta falls through - nice!

Aspen all the way - everyone seems to use it!

Plus it's packed in tight in bag (unlike wood chips) - so although bag may look smaller, it will go further
 
The wood products that need to be avoided are made from pine or cedar. This has to do with the aromatic oils that they contain, which are toxic to reptiles.
 
CAV said:
The wood products that need to be avoided are made from pine or cedar. This has to do with the aromatic oils that they contain, which are toxic to reptiles.
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creosote(pine tar) is highly toxic even to humans which is why it isn't even supposed to be burned in a fireplace. the creosote causes chimney fires

it is a preservative, creosote is also a substance that is used on wood to keep it from rotting underground.
 
Thanks for the advice, could i ask if aspen is ok to feed on? worried about swallowing it. Should i remove her to feed or place the food on something? Have been removing her but then she is in a small container for quite a while if I don't disturb her after feeding to put her back in her viv.
 
you should not feed on Aspen as it is small enough to injest. As a rule of thumb, you want to feed in a seperate container anyway... after your snake eats, let him/her sit for about 10 to 15 minutes before oyu move him/her back to viv.
 
On that note, I also heard aspen is the easiest to digest. On THAT note, never feed your snake in the tank, or on the substrate. lol
 
Spirit said:
On that note, I also heard aspen is the easiest to digest. On THAT note, never feed your snake in the tank, or on the substrate. lol
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Can you get any more contradicting dear?
 
MADMAN said:
creosote(pine tar) is highly toxic even to humans which is why it isn't even supposed to be burned in a fireplace. the creosote causes chimney fires.
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You are certainly correct but I for one have carpet, not pine shavings, on the floor at my place. Needless to say I'm not too worried about the toxicity in relation to humans. ;)
 
pcar said:
Can you get any more contradicting dear?
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Why must you antagonize me so? :laugh: Just because it's the safest to injest, doesn't mean it should be injested. Accidental or other. Tsk tsk, Paul. lol :crazy02:
 
BTW if either Pcar or Quigs were offended by me bagging on people with pine shavings on the floor, I apologize. I know you guys do the best you can! :rolleyes:
 
Yea, we back county hilbilly folks with dirt floors chip up pine trees and use them as carpet everyday. put this here thought in yer tiny lil head...Us Hillbilly's also carry round fire sticks even though the law says we caint...so watch yer tounge city slicker...

(and fer tose of yous that dont recon with fire sticks...they be long metal tubes used for huntin anmals and people)
 
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