Paper Towels in my opinion is better then aspen as long as you provide an additional hiding area for the snake.



When the paper towels are no longer appropriate (snake gets big and messes them up with feces a lot easier). I would change to using newspaper as a substrate, although less appealing to the eye, it readily absorbs any fecal and urates and can be easily changed and is cheap to obtain. Free actually if you go about it correctly.



First off- I have never seen a wild caught US snake that had mites that has not first come through some facility like a wholesaler establishment first. They do have them I would imagine, but I have caught hundreds (easily) that have not!!!



Most freshly caught snakes from the United States have internal parasites that you may in the future want to have taken care of by a veterinarian if the snake has problems gaining weight.



As for the mites if they exist on this snake, you will easily notice them since you are using white paper towels as a substrate, aspen has the disadvantage of helping them burrow out of your sight; making them tougher to notice.



If you are going away for seven days make sure the snake has water (I would also line the tank with newspaper instead of paper towels to avoid coming back to a hump of water logged paper towels). I would make sure his/her enclosure is in the coolest part of the house to ensure the snake does not die from heat exhaustion.



I am also going to provide you with some great links to snake mites and their treatments. This is a MUST reading material weather your new acquisition has mites or not, just something every herper should read in my opinion!



Oh that is an excellent looking specimen your dad has captured for you, it will be an exceptionally black as an adult!!! Great find and a GREAT snake...not just for beginners either, but a great snake to start with regardless!!!



Here are a few links for you to look at...



The Life History of Snake Mites



NOTHING IS FOOLPROOF! MITE TREATMENTS USE CHEMICALS
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Roberts Realm Of Reptile Research

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Thanks,



Frank Roberts







I opened my mouth and out flowed a melody black.

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