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Substrate

W

WATERBOYsh

New member
I have a question about some substrate I found at a local pet store. For substrate I have always used this artificial grass stuff (not sure what to call it exactly) and it has worked fine.... whenever I need to clean it I just take it outside, rinse it with the hose, and set it in the sun to dry.... however, I am in college now and I wont be able to easily do that because we are only supposed to have fish in the dorms.... So, I decided that I needed a different substrate; one where I could easily scoop the poop out and wouldn't take as much effort to keep clean. So I found this stuff in the pet store, and I have found it online... in fact, I have found 2 different things that look like they may suit me... I'm wondering if anyone here could give me their opinions on these two products...

Kaytee Reptile Bedding and Litter

T-Rex Bone Aid Calci-Sand
 
substrate

From what I've read, You shouldn't use sand. I've never seen/heard of anyone using the stuff in the first link.
Cedar is something you never want to use. Newspaper or paper towels work great unless you're wanting to show it off. You should definitely just try putting "substrate" in the search bar..there are tons of posts about this.
 
Q: What substrates can I use, and which shouldn't I use?
A: Most recommend aspen, as do I. It is cheap, totally safe, and easy to find. Other perfectly acceptable forms of substrate include but are not limited to Reptibark, newspaper, newsprint, paper towels, Eco-earth (or similar substrates like bed-a-beast) and cypress mulch. You should not use cedar, pine, sand, gravel, or astroturf. Cedar and pine are toxic to small animals and the others are either irritating to the snake or harbor bacteria and are very difficult to clean.

*Note about substrate- If you are using any substrate that can adhere to the mice, you need to feed the snake outside of it's cage. Feeding inside the cage on substrate can lead to the snake ingesting the substrate and causing an impaction. Impactions will be discussed further in the Health Issues FAQ.
 
Well, I know your not supposed to use sand, but this isnt "sand" its tiny ground up pieces of calcium.... I was just wondering if that makes a difference....
 
WATERBOYsh said:
Well, I know your not supposed to use sand, but this isnt "sand" its tiny ground up pieces of calcium.... I was just wondering if that makes a difference....
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What is the product name? Calci-<b>Sand</b>. That says it all right there. Buy some aspen and ditch the astroturf--that stuff sucks.
 
Okay, how about this stuff??

If I get aspen, how easy/hard is it to clean and maintain?? And how important is it really to take the snake out when I feed it? It says on the page that reptiles can digest it...
 
WATERBOYsh said:
Okay, how about this stuff??

If I get aspen, how easy/hard is it to clean and maintain?? And how important is it really to take the snake out when I feed it? It says on the page that reptiles can digest it...
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I wouldn't use pellets. Chips or shredded aspen is better. If you're using anything that can stick to the prey item, especially if you use f/t, you <b>MUST</b> feed in a seperate container, unless you want to eventually deal with an impaction and a dead snake.
 
hhmmm... guess you can't edit a post to add something?? Would just putting the snake and mouse on my bedroom floor while he eats be okay?? I dont have any other container to put him in while he eats....
 
WATERBOYsh said:
hhmmm... guess you can't edit a post to add something?? Would just putting the snake and mouse on my bedroom floor while he eats be okay?? I dont have any other container to put him in while he eats....
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F/t is frozen/thawed.

I wouldn't do that. You can get a 12qt sterilite at Walmart for roughly $3. That's what I use.
 
Joejr14 said:
F/t is frozen/thawed.

I wouldn't do that. You can get a 12qt sterilite at Walmart for roughly $3. That's what I use.
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I feed them live mice... and what exactly is a sterilite and how big is 12qts (compared to gallons)?
 
WATERBOYsh said:
I feed them live mice... and what exactly is a sterilite and how big is 12qts (compared to gallons)?
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Just know that it's best to either pre-kill or stun mice once you're feeding anything above fuzzy stage. I dont know how big your snake(s) are, but just keep that in mind.

Here's a 12qt Sterilite:
1954_LG.jpg


4 quarts = 1 gallon
 
And you feed your snake in that tiny thing?? And why should I stun/pre-kill?? I have never done that for any of my snakes I've had before and never had any problems...
 
WATERBOYsh said:
And you feed your snake in that tiny thing?? And why should I stun/pre-kill?? I have never done that for any of my snakes I've had before and never had any problems...
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Yes, I feed most of my snakes in that 'tiny thing'. In fact, half of my snakes (all of my hatchlings) live in 12qt sterilites.

Why should you stun or prekill mice? Well, when mice get attacked by snakes, they bite. If you want to run the risk of your snake getting bit by a mouse, go right ahead and do so. It's just safer to pre-kill once you're feeding adult mice.
 
Thunder is appoximately 2ft or so (maybe slightly longer) in length.... would he be able to fit and eat inside of one of those comfortably?
 
WATERBOYsh said:
Thunder is appoximately 2ft or so (maybe slightly longer) in length.... would he be able to fit and eat inside of one of those comfortably?
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Yup. My 4 2003's all eat in 12qts and they're from 26"-30". If you want, you could always buy a 28qt for a few dollars more. My 48" eats in there without a problem.
 
Joejr14 said:
Yup. My 4 2003's all eat in 12qts and they're from 26"-30". If you want, you could always buy a 28qt for a few dollars more. My 48" eats in there without a problem.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for all the suggestions... its been a great help... I will check on the aspen stuff when I go to the petstore monday to get a mouse....
 
WATERBOYsh said:
what is f/t??
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F/T= Previously frozen, thawed warm mice.
I would suggest going to WalMart and buying a Sterilite container big enough for your snake to move around, but not so big that it wont find the mouse for feeding purposes. They're really cheap (about $3), and are perfect for holding the snake temporarily while it feeds so you can spot clean or do a complete bedding change/disinfection.

Sorry to repeat an answer guys, only the first 5 or so came up for me until I replied. :shrugs:
 
JTGoff69 said:
F/T= Previously frozen, thawed warm mice.
I would suggest going to WalMart and buying a Sterilite container big enough for your snake to move around, but not so big that it wont find the mouse for feeding purposes. They're really cheap (about $3), and are perfect for holding the snake temporarily while it feeds so you can spot clean or do a complete bedding change/disinfection.

Sorry to repeat an answer guys, only the first 5 or so came up for me until I replied. :shrugs:
Click to expand...

Way to copy my answer, Jen! ;)
 
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