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I have a pair of dwarf burms.What should i use as a substrate?I have tried several different ones only to end up with them pacing with a large mouthfull of substrate.Newspaper has been the only thing i can find that has not caused them to have a difficult shed

Newspaper is still by far and away the best substrate in the world...its cheap and sanitary.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
Lake Forest, IL

>>I have a pair of dwarf burms.What should i use as a substrate?I have tried several different ones only to end up with them pacing with a large mouthfull of substrate.Newspaper has been the only thing i can find that has not caused them to have a difficult shed
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

I agree that newspaper is the best and most sanitary and economical time-wise and is adequate for the vast majority of species but I think he asked about substrate for dwarfs specifically because it has been established that dwarf burmese are naturally subterrestrial and are more relaxed and at home if they are able to burrow. In this case perhaps cyprus mulch would be more appropriate.
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David Beauchemin
High End Herps.Inc
http://HighEndHerps.com

While cypress or a cypress mix would work fine. I don't care the the muck and grime that comes with it. Then that poses problems with infection issues,etc in the mouth/snout area.

I have found that a layer of several sheets of newspaper layed flat, then a nice amount of newspaper that is in strips kinda wadded up does well. They can burrow under and arrange to their liking and feel secure. But over time mine are spending more time on top of the paper. They now seem content with just enough paper to block the view of the glass/tub. They do not care for being in the open at all. But with the paper as camoflauge they are doing well.

Thanks for your additional input. I personally have never used any form of mulch but I have often read positive posts about it by other breeders. I myself detest any dust or debris on my facility floors and only will use newspaper. I do what you described above for some of my shyer bloods and expectant boas and it works well.
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David Beauchemin
High End Herps.Inc
http://HighEndHerps.com

I was using bark which they loved to burrow under but it seemed to be hard to keep sterile. I switched to aspen which seems to be working well. Mine used to burrow more but now stay on top of the substrate. Maybe they are just burrowers when they are young. Do normal Burmese burrow when young?

I think ALL snake species short of arboreals will burrow when young, given the opportunity. Though some species do seem to have more of a propensity to do this than others.
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David Beauchemin
High End Herps.Inc
http://HighEndHerps.com

Paper is still the best substrate even for fossorial or subterranean species....put a thick layer of paper on the bottom, place a thick layer of crinkled paper on top and see where the dwarf retics go! Piece of cake.

>>I agree that newspaper is the best and most sanitary and economical time-wise and is adequate for the vast majority of species but I think he asked about substrate for dwarfs specifically because it has been established that dwarf burmese are naturally subterrestrial and are more relaxed and at home if they are able to burrow. In this case perhaps cyprus mulch would be more appropriate.
>>Our Website
>>
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>>David Beauchemin
>>High End Herps.Inc
>>http://HighEndHerps.com
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL