If you're using a rack system, how many snakes are you keeping? I find the best substrate to be paper kitty litter. It is recycled paper, moulded into little 1 inch cylendars with about a 4mm diameter. It is completely digestible and doesn't release any colour (as far as ink is concerned). It is easy to clean, as it is so cheap you can just scoop up the mess along with the paper and put it in the garden (it breaks down with the rain and is absorbed back into the environment). You can find it at your local supermarket.



I find using soil leads to higher upkeep, and, if you're not careful, becomes dirty very quickly, causing fungal growths and respiratory infection.



Using the kitty litter eliminates just about all health risks associated with substrates. Some woods will release phenols and other chemicals.



So, make your choice... what is more important to you... the health of your animals, or how good your displays look?



Also, i feel the need to add a disclaimer to the bottom of all posts these days: I am in no way intending to offend, upset or emotionally injure anybody that may read this. Please do not reply with malice. Oh, and, have a nice day.

[ Hide Replies ]

• Best Substrate? - lbratcher4, Sun May 8 22:45:31 2005
• Aspen? Yikes! - tjg, Mon May 9 09:06:44 2005
• Aspen will work fine, I use paper... - nhherp, Mon May 9 14:55:34 2005
• Not to trying to provoke but..... - tjg, Mon May 9 16:33:05 2005
• Thanks for the info....... - lbratcher4, Mon May 9 17:56:21 2005
• Just one person's idea.... heres a pic of yearling habitat - tjg, Mon May 9 16:50:11 2005
• RE: Just one person's idea.... heres a pic of yearling habitat - jakethesnake03, Tue May 10 23:33:52 2005
• RE: Just one person's idea.... heres a pic of yearling habitat - Mayo, Wed May 11 09:49:38 2005
• RE: Best Substrate? - AustHerps, Tue May 10 03:34:31 2005