Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I will soon be purchasing my first pit, a bull and am preparing to build a custom cage. My aim is a highly naturalistic and beautiful display. Any suggestions for the best and most realistic substate condusive to burrowing? I have heard of a top soil/sand mixture, in this case would i use fancy "pet shop" sand or just average commercial sand? Is it okay/safe to include live plants such as succulants and maybe cacti? Should I worry about the plants getting in the way and being a permanent obstruction in the tank? Is the snake safe with a sharp/prickly cactus?

Any input appreciated
Thanks
Ross
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-Ross
no exertion of the legs can bring a mind nearer the universe

also, I like the Eco Earth coconut fiber substrate. Does anyone know if it is good for burrowing pits?
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-Ross
no exertion of the legs can bring a mind nearer the universe

I wouldn't recommend sand because it does nothing to mask odors. And you can give up on putting ANY kind of plant in there unless it is an air plant! My pits LOVE to dig up potted plants. I even stuffed large rocks into the pot over the dirt by they eventually rooted up the whole thing. Even my female gopher that escaped this summer dug up a house plant for me! But they never dig in their own substrate which puzzles me. I've used the coconut bark stuff and it works pretty good. It tends to get stuck between the scales of my larger keeled pits and keep them "dirty" looking though. Right now I use plain potting soil for my light colored pits and "reptile safe" aspen shavings for my dark ones. Hope that helps.

that substrate you mentioned-coconut bark,etc.-is fine,but aspen is fine too,i'd avoid the sand,etc....i think in the end you'll opt for aspen,maybe cypress mulch with just a heavy water bowl and a couple cereal/frozen dinner boxes as hides on opposing ends of the enclosure.mine seem pretty happy with this setup.key to the aspen is that it's light so you can easily see when they need to have the cage spot-cleaned,and the poops dry quickly.

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"with head raised regally,and gazing at me with lidless eyes,he seemed to question with flicks of his long forked tongue my right to trespass on his territory" Carl Kauffeld

Thanks

Has anyone experienced a strong burrowing tendency and if so with what substrate have you had the most success?
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-Ross
no exertion of the legs can bring a mind nearer the universe

My bull snake is always boprrowing in his aspen bedding. You can actually see wholes all over the bedding. This may seem nice but trying to find poop is a lot harder.

Ken