Reptile & Amphibian Forums

im talking about using newspaper as substrate. yes it is cheap and looks decent but my redtail seems to just love curling up into it. just wads it right up coiling around the water bowl. really ticks me off when i change the bedding and as soon as i put her in the tank she crumples it all up. anyone have a solution for this? or is this just something im gonna have to accept?

You could always shread the paper? I do this... however, just keep an eye on the water bowl as it may end up with some paper in it!

Some boas are just bad house keepers. LOL
Try putting a rock in the enclosure to give the snake something to grip onto instead of the paper. This will help with the "grippy" ones, but not with the ones that like to hide under the paper. In that case I try providing a hide, but some still prefer it under the paper and make a mess no matter what.
Good luck.

Kathy

Maybe he he just doesn't like the section that you are putting in there. Try the "Sports" section.

Try full coverage on bottom few and half sheets above,put the water dish on the full side and maybe crinkle the halfs alittle.
I have some that it works with others I had to give them hides or heavy things. Shreaded paper on top of full sheets might.
They can be fussy can't they?
Amanda

It sounds to me like your snake is arranging her substrate just the way she wants it...not great for display, but perhaps best for her husbandry needs. I have a monster Blood Python that does the same thing, and I'm glad he's able to work the environment so that it suits him.
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"He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he can never lose." (quote from Jim Elliott, "Shadow of the Almighty"

I just mist the fresh paper with abit of water before putting the snake back in. After their done throwing a fit the stuff is still flat and stays that way till next cleaning.Guess they dont like going back in their cage or something ?But the tantrum only last a few minutes and the paper is still flat afterwards.
Pretty Simple LOL!!

M/

well the reason i dont want her messing it up is because i use a uth and she is always wanting to lay directly on it. so her messing up the paper is in a way going to get her burned. the temp of the heater at the highest temp is 115F. i usually would use reptibark but she somehow cut her tail so i had to switch to paper to reduce the risk of infection. i know a couple sheets of newspaper isnt going to reduce the temp but i guess i could just go grab the rheostat from the living room. well dont i feel like a dork now. ok im going to bed.

I use newspaper as last resort since I got introduced to rolls of rippled cardboard. It's quite handy, stiffer than newspaper and it's quite cheap! When it's cut the right size, it stays in place as if it was part of the enclosure...
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Sylvain Ouellette
Montreal,Canada