Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just an informal poll to see what you all are using out there.

I typically had been using that grey, recycled newspaper stuff, but I have been reading a lot about aspen chips so I'm giving that a try. I also had a pinworm issue with a snake recently so I switched to plain newspaper for a short period. Not much to look at, but very handy when it comes to keeping a cage clean!

What are the benefits / drawbacks of substrates? What is your application? Are you a hobbyist with one tank, or a breeder with 200 bins?

Thanks!

Personally,I think newspaper is the best substrate however,I switched to aspen because it looks better and the snakes themselve act more confortable.I currently have 45 snakes,2 lizards,1 rat and 2 mice. Jeff

In general you'll find that people with large collections like newspaper. Any particle-based substrate will fall on the floor when cleaning a snake's cage. So, when cleaning 20 or more cages, you have a lot of stuff falling on the floor, as a large number of cages are typically cleaned somewhat quickly. As a consequence, you end up stepping in these particles and end up tracking them all over the house. Then, not only are you cleaning cages, but you're also vacuuming the whole darn house (or at least every room you went into after cleaning cages). I've spoke with several larger scale breeders who have issued this lament.

If I only had one or two snakes, I might use something particle-based. I especially like aspen, as burrowing snakes will make tunnels in it, and I think this gives them exercise that they would not get with a newspaper substrate.

On the other hand, all particle-based substrates contain dust (even if they claim to be "dust free" ). As a result, the dust settles to the bottom of the enclosure. Many snakes spend time resting under the substrate (newspaper or particle-based), so in essence, the snake is breathing in dust, which probably isn't very healthy.

Although newspaper is not the most attractive medium, it's probably the safest for snakes. There has even been speculation the the oils used in newspaper ink act as a deterrant against parasites. I like to use "Scene" magazine, because it fits nicely into sweaterboxes.

Tim

Third Eye

Preference is an interesting word to use because I prefer aspen, but use newspaper. I prefer aspen because it looks better, the snakes can burrow, and they probably feel more secure. I haven't had any problems since I've switched to newspaper, but I have noticed that no matter how tightly the paper is against the bottom of the tanks, they do everything they can to get under there, and sometimes prefer to stay there rather than in their hides.

My problem with aspen is that I never feel like I really get the cage clean. I used aspen for a long time, and whenever it was time to clean the whole cage out and replace the substrate, I'd always find some old dried feces somewhere in the aspen. You just can't get it all by spot cleaning. Also, there's a lot of liquid expelled, and it just soaks into the aspen, and then the snake crawls around in it for two months until the substrate gets replaced. I know there are a lot of successful keepers who have exemplary animals, and who have many more animals than I do, and who use aspen. But, if only for my peace of mind, so I know the cages are as clean as I can get them, I switched to newspaper and plan to continue using it. You just take it out, wipe off the glass, put new newspaper in, and you're done. It's fifty cents for a few months worth. Also, as Tim mentioned, no aspen shavings on the floor or following you around.

That said, I have a very small collection -- two corns and a black rat. I use glass tanks.

The reason I switched in the first place was that one summer I saw very small insects breeding in the aspen. I'm led to believe this is common.

Right now I have 2 tanks with aspen bedding. Looks ok, easy to clean and the corns seem to like tunneling in it.

I also just made a rack and three corns in their own individual bins on newspaper. Easy to clean, its not pretty but, it doesn't need to be. The corns hide under the folds sometimes too.

For a display I'd use aspen-every time. That is just for asthetic reasons and the above reasons. If the reptile was going to be in a bin I'd use newspaper every time. No need to be fancy if no one is going to see it...and its cheaper!
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1.0 Green Iguana
1.0 Bearded Dragon
0.1 Midnight Blizard Leopard Gecko
2.4 Corn Snakes (2 Blood Red,1 Granite,1 Butter, 1 Creamsicle,1 Anery)
2.1 Ball Python (2 Normal, 1 Lemon Pastel)

I've been using this kaytee reptile bedding. It's basically just alfalfa pellets (rabbit food) with a light treatment of antibacterials.

When it gets wet (pooped on) it clumps up like kitty litter for easy scooping.

My big female creamsicle loves to burrow in it even if it's really just her head that's underground (she doesn't know the difference and it's funny to watch).

Never had a problem. one bag will sufficiently cover a 20 long for 4-6 months of poop and scoop and it smells good too if you like farm-smell.

>>Just an informal poll to see what you all are using out there.
>>
>>I typically had been using that grey, recycled newspaper stuff, but I have been reading a lot about aspen chips so I'm giving that a try. I also had a pinworm issue with a snake recently so I switched to plain newspaper for a short period. Not much to look at, but very handy when it comes to keeping a cage clean!
>>
>>What are the benefits / drawbacks of substrates? What is your application? Are you a hobbyist with one tank, or a breeder with 200 bins?
>>
>>Thanks!
>>

I use aspen shavings
I have 18 snakes in aquriums and the rest (approx 40) in racks.
I use aspen in every enclosure
Aspen is inexpensive
easy to spot clean
isn't quick to mold with spilled water
isn't dusty...at least what I get has minimal dust
Provides another hide...they like to burrow through it
looks decent enough in display tanks
My only choice
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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"Resistance is futile"
Jimmy Johnson
(Draybar)
Draybars Snakes

_____

I use Aspen for most of my snakes. I used to use newspaper, but found that the waste would set on top of the paper, and if the snake was active, would crawl right through the waste, before it had a chance to soak into the paper. Only snakes I use newspaper on is garters.

Steve

I use both newspaper and folded paper towels. I do love the look of aspen and do like how the snakes burrow in it. Thing is, I noticed that spot cleeaning was not cleaning the cages 100% and ridding every ounce of poop.

If any poop gets on the plastic of the cage, say if the snake poops on a side or a corner and it gets under the newspaper, I just take water at boiling water, fill a spray bottle and set it to jet stream, and then clean the mess up with that. That way, no waste is in the cage.
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Genesis 1:1

I have cages, displays, hatchling and breeder racks. In the display and regular cages I use aspen because it looks good, keeps down the smell, easy to spot clean and the snakes like to burrow. But, all those snakes have to be fed outside of their cage so they don't ingest some of the aspen. That is another thing you have to consider when choosing a substrate. In the hatchling racks I use paper towels because it folds and fits easily, easy to clean, although some hatchlings get under it and then make a mess under it. Then you have to clean the whole tub. I have used newspaper with my bearded dragons, but they smell and unless I clean it every day, it makes a big stink, so had to change to what I was using before. I use the newspaper in my adult snake racks though, but you definitely need to make sure you clean it as soon as there is a mess if you have an active snake, like mentioned by someone else.
Also, paper towels and news paper is the best to use when you have a mite problem and is also easiest to clean. Aspen takes more time to clean out before you can disinfect the cage for mites.
Also, whoever mentioned the mess of multiple cages and aspen hit the nail on the head. I have quite a few display cases that I use aspen in. Taking snakes in and out of those cages makes a mess on the floor. Often times it is tracked into another room.
I had to smile when that was mentioned because that happens to me quite frequently! lol. Most of the time I can keep the mess maintained in one room, but sometimes you will see a trail coming from the snake room. But, it helps me know if anyone but me has been in the snake room!!! lol. Aspen as a security feature / system
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************SNEAKY SERPENTS****************

www.sneakyserpents.com

Elk Grove
California

I noticed that no one mentions using indoor/outdoor carpeting.
This is what we use. Not the kind that looks like plastic grass, that is too rough, but the smoother kind. It's washable and easy to replace. We have 3 sets for each cage, just take it out and put in a new one. You can wash them by hand and hang them up to dry. We have been using this for two years now and have had no problems what so ever.
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Suzanne
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0.1 Creamsicle Corn - Scout
0.1 Snow Corn - Lilly
1.0 Normal Corn - Colonel
0.1 Ghost Corn - Willow
1.0 Butter Corn - Hunter
0.1 Miami Phase - Jasmine
0.1 Amber corn - Abby
1.0 Motley Anery - Bear

I used to until my mother got hold of the bag I had placed his carpet in until I could clean it that evening. I had changed it that morning and of course it stinks when you change it. She had never been around a reptile and didn't realize that's what their waste smells like. She threw the carpet away, costing me quite a bit for that one little piece. I had bought a large piece that fits into a larger sized enclosure and cut it into three pieces for his enclosure. She threw two of the three away. When I upgraded his size, it took two to cover. I had started using paper towels to accomodate for the missing piece, now I just use paper towels. He likes that alot better, or at least he seems to. When he first learned about it, he was quite cute. He would move around really slowly scratching his belly on it, similiar to how he does when he's getting ready to shed. Cute.