Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Jeez..sorry for all the questions guys, but they just keep on comin! Anyway, right now I think my snakes have pine shavings as substrate (whatever their previous owners were using..I believe they said pine), but I really don't like the smell of wood shavings and was wondering if I could use Carefresh instead (for those who dont know what Carefresh is, it is basically recycled, compressed paper)? I used to use it when I had rats, and I like it much better.

pine is bad for snakes. Aspen is what I use in many of my cages. Carefresh is also fine. You want something that is oil, odor, dust free. Some use paper towels or news paper (the full sheets) as well.
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****Misty****

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I have long used pieces of astroturf (outdoor carpeting) and keep two cut to fit each cage. When one is soiled, I simply switch ot, hose it off, hang it outto dry . . . no fuss, less stress for the snakes being hauled out for a major cleaning operation, good traction for movement. I also provide hides (usually cut-down clay flower pots with the hole in the top and one side cut out to make a cave-like entrance, turned to the back ofthe cage. This is all sanitary, easy to maintain and, seemingly, comfortable for the snakes.

Someone on here once mentioned that the astro turf blades cut their snake. They were reffering to the stuff that kinda has the plastice blades, used to only come in green to resemble grass, but you can now get in tons of colors. I think it is commonly used on porches of mobile homes. Forgive me if that is not the stuff you are rtalking about.
I have heard of people using sections of carpet or reptile carpet.
I have heard that the regular carpet can hold in stains that grow mildew/mold, and that some have like a glue odor or something. I can't remember.
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****Misty****

www.sneakyserpents.com

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AIM - BlackHeartMisty
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"I will conquer my procrastination problem...Just you wait!"

Ok..I may give the Carefresh a shot. I figured I would just clean the whole tank next time I feed them..that way it doesnt seem like I am hauling them out for nothing. I guess since pine is not good i need to get that done pretty soon...

That's what I am talking about and I have never had any problem with injuries to snakes from it.

I've always liked paper towels as they are more absorbant than Newspaper and give a little more traction. I've always disliked using astroturf compared to paper. Wood chips are fine usually except cedar. Carefresh I've heard is dusty but other than that people love it because it will form tunnels for the snake to travel through. But this also makes the snake less likely to come out in the open, just my experience.
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-J.Hill

I wasn't sure pine was bad till you mentioned it. I knew cedar was but I didn't know pine was also.

Too bad also because pine is a insect repellent, pine oil is used for dogbath's as a preventative to flee/tick infestation.

I do not believe Pine is bad. I have talked to many people about this and many people have used pine for years with no problem. I use it for my snakes during winter and have had great success with it. In the growing season I like paper because it is easier to clean and the snakes are not in danger from eating it. But many people on the kingsnake forum have used pine longer than I have been alive. I have heard of problems with aspen as well as pine and actually more from aspen. I like both woods and would not hesitate to use either.

Dan

the only problem I have heard with aspen is consumption causing block. To solve that, you just don't feed in the cage. I have heard pine can cause URI, seizures and more from the odors, oils. I will take the lesser of the two evils and actualy eliminate that by not feeding in the cages. Just my opinion
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****Misty****

www.sneakyserpents.com

"I will conquer my procrastination problem...Just you wait!"

>>Jeez..sorry for all the questions guys, but they just keep on comin! Anyway, right now I think my snakes have pine shavings as substrate (whatever their previous owners were using..I believe they said pine), but I really don't like the smell of wood shavings and was wondering if I could use Carefresh instead (for those who dont know what Carefresh is, it is basically recycled, compressed paper)? I used to use it when I had rats, and I like it much better.

Personally I don't like to use anything that if it were accidentally ingested couldn't be digested. I put most of my snakes on newspaper (free) or paper towel. I have used or would recommend Carefresh (use it for acclimating neonates) Cellsorb Plus (heavier but recycled paper, absorbent and not as harsh as Yesterday's News) dirt (out of the yard DIRT) the felt 'turf' artificial liners that can be expensive but you can bleach/wash.
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Sonya

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