Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I keep my black milks on Sani Chips. Should I switch these guys to something a little more moist. The Sani chips are real dry, and these are tropical snakes. I tried the news paper substrate! That lasted one day, until the wife started complaining of the stink, as soon as my male pooped.
Is their a nicer type substrate to put in the enclosure. Or shold I just put in a hide box with some moist moss inside?

Thanks for any input:
JasonMc

I don't know...but boy, that's beautiful! Hey, by the way, is that rock pile good and solid? I'd hate to see such a nice animal topple it on accident and get hurt.I use the newspaper method it can stink, but it forces me to clean up usually right away. The trade off is a meticulously clean enclosure but no charm.Good luck with him/her.
Bob

Those rocks are real secure, A little caulk keeps them in place!
Thanks for your reply!
Jasonmc

Yeah, I figured you knew what you were doing. Didn't mean to be condescending. It's hard to know everyones experience level when you are reading posts. NICE looking snake!
Bob.

No offense taken here! I always like the constructive feedback. Anyone can overlook a simple detail that could really ruin ones day.
Thanks again for the reply!

Jasonmc

I used to keep mine on newspaper as well, and boy did they smell. I've been much happier having them on aspen. But I do see some shedding problems now and then...
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Paul Weaver
Carolina Herps

2 ways to do it. Dry substrate in the cage but provide a humid hide box (easiest way.) Or, use a substrate in the cage that you can mositen, like Eco Earth and similar product.

I have found using Eco Earth is messy but the kings/milks/corns absolutely thrive in it, especially babies, if you keep it slightly moist and allow parts to dry out periodically. Keeping it bone dry is bad for babies, as it will pull moisture from them. Babies kept in proper humidity (proper for the species) eat better than those kept too dry, on average, IMO. I haven't seen any skin problems yet. What I have seen is the snakes spending most of their time under the substrate (milks and kings) when given a moisture gradient.

Good luck.

with the snakes ingesting the aspen or other substrate and clogging their digestive tract? I have always used newspaper in fear of that issue.

Dave

DNS Reptiles - updated

not to say that it can't happen, but it hasn't happened with any of my snakes. It is a bit messier when changing cages, and of course more expensive, but it really helps with the smell.
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Paul Weaver
Carolina Herps

I'll agree with Paul...so far no problems with ingestion...I have 3 racks setup in my bedroom closet of my apartment...aspen significantly decreases the smell factor...

I used to use newspaper, but switched to aspen 15 years ago. So far not a single problem with ingestion, and my cleaning chores are just about cut in half-an important consideration for a 200-plus snake collection lol!

Brad Chambers

I'll check out the Eco Earth, and the Aspen bedding.
Until then I'll also throw in a humid Hide box.

Thanks again,
Jason