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I am using aspen bedding for my ball pythons. What is the best bedding to use when housing these animals?

Thanks
Will

no post

I use disposable cage liners. I really like them. They are quick and easy. I have used aspen, and switched because of the dust. A lot of people use cypress mulch, to help with humidity. Hope this helps.

Greatly depends on the brand of aspen bedding you use. I had the same problem until I switched to L/M aspen-it's a very nice, finely shredded grade of aspen with almost no dust. Not the cheapest brand, but I highly recommend it.

Brad Chambers

I have also heard, but never used, that sani-chips work great, with little to no dust. It is also more expensive.

Unprinted newspaper sheets from ULINE. I paid $60 for a big stack 8 months ago and still have a lot of it left. That's with routine tub cleanings for 22 snakes, both weekly and every time they defecate. It makes it easy to see when they've urinated and is easy to clean out. You just take out the old piece, spray down some Novalsan, wipe it out with a paper towel, and put a new piece in. That's it!
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~* Jen *~

Pink Lady Constrictors

I use unprinted newsprint too.

The few animals that had belly infections when I took them in cleared right up, and my snakes seem to be fine with the arrangement.

Cypress is nice for a decorative display, but newsprint is much easier if you have more than a few snakes.

I put together this list of advantages and disadvantages as I was trying to determine if I should change the type of substrate I use. I hope you find it helpful.

BTW, I decided to stay with aspen.

1. newspaper or unprinted paper - Pros: cheapest, easiest to see if substrate needs cleaning, easy to replace. Cons: it's ugly, doesn't hold humidity, the minute water is spilled or urine is released the paper must be changed - this can happen daily, sometimes the newsprint rubs off on the snake (not a health problem, just makes the snake dirty looking) and many times the snake gets under the paper (that's OK for hiding purposes) so you can't see him.

2. Mulch - Pros: relatively cheap at your local garden store, holds humidity very well, looks nice, and you may only need to change the part of the substrate that's dirty. Cons: hard to tell if substrate needs cleaning, may have bugs (not harmful to snakes that I've heard), heavy to lift large quantities, and when changing a large # of tubs you have big bags of "trash."

3. Carefresh - Pros: just the ticket if you're going for a different look (it's available in grey, white, pink, blue and purple), usually easy to see if substrate needs changing, only need to change the part of the substrate that's dirty. Cons: Very expensive and can sometimes be difficult to find in large quantities.

4. Sani chips - Pros: very absorbent, need only change the part of the substrate that's dirty, and holds humidity pretty well. Cons: very tiny pieces, pretty expensive but a little does go a long way, hard to find, gets all over the place (the pieces almost seem to float in the air) and hard to vacuum up.

5. Aspen - Pros: very absorbent, need only change the part of the substrate that's dirty, easy to see if substrate needs cleaning, snakes like to burrow in it, relatively inexpensive, easily available at any pet store, and holds humidity well. Cons: pieces stick to socks and towels and are very difficult to remove, some don't like the idea that some small pieces may be ingested with the prey (I've never had a problem with this), and the size of pieces and the "cut" vary widely.
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Alice Cobb
Florida Reptile Room

"1. newspaper or unprinted paper - Pros: cheapest, easiest to see if substrate needs cleaning, easy to replace. Cons: it's ugly, doesn't hold humidity, the minute water is spilled or urine is released the paper must be changed - this can happen daily, sometimes the newsprint rubs off on the snake (not a health problem, just makes the snake dirty looking) and many times the snake gets under the paper (that's OK for hiding purposes) so you can't see him."

In reply to this...unprinted newspaper is not ugly, it's actually very clean and sterile looking. One of the reasons I like it, but to each his own. It does hold humidity -- just mist it a bit if needed. In regard to maintaining humdidity with any substrate, however, it makes more sense to add a humidifier to the room than to constantly mist and make the snake live in damp aspen/cypress/mulch/whatever. Water won't spill if you make a non-spillable water dish out of a disposable plastic deli cup and a PVC coupling. OR a bottom-heavy crock/metal bowl. The snake won't go under the paper if you have proper hides like you're supposed to in tanks. If you're using a rack, you can't see them anyway so it doesn't really matter if they go underneath the paper.
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~* Jen *~

Pink Lady Constrictors

Hello there,
I used to use aspen bedding.
It does hold humidity fairly well...however Aspen also seems to have a mold problem. If it is too humid or if it becomes moist from over filling a water bowl...(or sloshing the water out of the bowl....common when you close a drawer in a rack style cage)...it can quickly grow mold.

The mold spores from aspen bedding have been known to cause legionnaires disease in humans.

I do not know if it could also cause respiratory problems in your snakes...but I decided not to risk it.
Aspen bedding also sometimes accumulates in the water bowl....as the snakes sometimes crawl over or through the water bowl.
As well, particulate bedding of any type can be accidentially injested....as it tends to cling to the moist feeder or saliva from the snake. I do not care to feed my snakes any type of bedding.

Plain old newsprint works great!
I prefer to use it for hides as well.
They seem to love hiding under a crumpled piece of newspaper.

A good layer of newspaper is absorbent and the ink is soy based and non-toxic.
It is also a breeze to clean cages lined with newspaper...printed or unprinted.
And it is uaually FREE!....my personal favorite word. FREE!!!

Someone else here mentioned unprinted packing paper (plain newspaper) from ULINE....pretty cheap as well.
I have also ordered the large rolls of corrogated cardboard packing wrap from ULINE. Works great as a cage liner for larger snakes!
Cheap too! It comes in different size rolls.
Hope that helps.
Best wishes.
Harlin Wall - WALL TO WALL REPTILES!
970-245-7611

>>The mold spores from aspen bedding have been known to cause legionnaires disease in humans.

I'm not trying to be argumentative but I would love to see the source of that statement (scientific/medical research, etc). I use a lot of aspen bedding, and have for years, and that is the first time I have heard anything like that. Any further info you have is appreciated. Thanks.

Rob

Hello Rob and Anyone else interested in the subject.
Good question.
I am happy to share.

I had also used aspen bedding for many years....but decided to switch to news print a few years ago.
Keep in mind that you can also grow mold on newspaper….but it is easier to watch out for…and more difficult for the mold and bacteria to take hold on the paper’s relatively flat surface.

Drywall manufacturing companies are beginning to offer paper free drywall....as mold can grow on paper ….(if the drywall is to become moist.)
Mold and Bacteria can cause Nosocomial Infections in Humans.
And these Drywall companies are trying to offer a better product.

I live Out West...Colorado.
Here we utilize "swamp coolers"… Evaporative Coolers to cool homes in this dry climate.. (in a dry climate swamp coolers are more efficient than air conditioners.) Anyway, the manufacturing companies that sell the EXCELSIOR Evaporative Cooler Pads (A Pad made from aspen shavings) recommend that you change out your pads often, because Mold and Bacteria growing on the excelsior pads has been linked to Nosocomial Infections such as Legionella.…(actually a bacteria rather than a mold.)

Moist aspen bedding is a great breeding ground for both mold and bacteria.

People often tend to "spot clean" when using particulate type beddings. This gives the mold and bacteria an even better chance to spread and grow. It can stir up the spores and bacterium...allowing it to spread.
Dry dust from the aspen bedding could cause other respiratory infections/ailments as well.
Here is some info that I just copied off the web.
You can do a a google search on these subjects.
These is plenty of info out there.
.......................................

“Mold And Health

Mold Allergy, Mycotoxins And Mold Infections

How Do Molds Affect Our Health?
There are three ways in which mold can affect our health. These include allergy, mycotoxin poisoning and infections.

Allergenic Reactions
An allergy is an acquired sensitivity to allergenic particles such as mold spores and pollen. Allergy acquired from a single exposure is specific to one or to closely related species. Multiple exposures may result in multiple sensitivities. Alternaria and Cladosporium are the two most common causes of allergy. Some mold allergies are associated with work environment such as:

farmer's lung (thermophilic actinomycetes, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus versicolor, and Eurotium rubrum),
cheesewasher's lung (Penicillium casei),
malt-worker's lung (Aspergillus clavatus, Aspergillus fumigatus),
maple-bark stripper's lung (Cryptostroma corticale),
sawmill worker's lung (Rhizopus rhizopodiformis, Penicillium spp., Aspergillus fumigatus, Trichoderma viride),
mushroom picker's lung (Pleurotus ostreatus, Pholiota nameko, Aspergillus fumigatus, Doratomyces stemonitis).

Mycotoxins
Mycotoxins are toxic compounds that some molds produce. These can be introduced into our bodies through inhalation of spores or airborne mycotoxins in dust. However, eating food contaminated with mold is also a major route of mycotoxin poisoning. The best known mycotoxins are aflatoxins produced by various species of Aspergillus. Aflatoxins have a history of causing death in animals and humans and also trigger cancer development.

Infections
Infections by common indoor molds is unlikely. However, individuals with weak immune system are at risk of being infected by species of Aspergillus (e.g., Aspergillus fumigatus), Fusarium (e.g., Fusarium solani) and other opportunistic pathogens.”
........................................................

Also check out this site....Loads of information.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/RR/RR4910.PDF

I also did a search on Aspen Excelsior....(aspen shavings used in evaporative coolers.)
I used the Aspen Excelsior for the search because it is more commonly used and it should provide more information about what Aspen Bedding can do when it becomes moist.

One of the sites...http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5776380.html
Titled: Chemical and microbiological resistant evaporative cooler media and processes for making the same.

Had this information:
..........................................
“For example, these wood shavings, by being organic and having a relatively high sugar content, have proven to be effective breeding grounds for various types of bacteria and molds carried by the air. This has resulted in coolers containing such pads soon giving off very objectionable swamp-like odors, and for this reason, coolers employing aspen excelsior have often been called "swamp coolers." Indeed, as this bacterial action continues on the shavings, the shavings are literally consumed and rendered worthless.”

This was the reason behind the company utilizing a different material to manufacture the Evaporative Cooling Pads.

Since Aspen Bedding can easily become moist in a cage environment and then harbor considerable loads of mold spores and bacteria....I decided to discontinue using it.

Although newsprint can also mold. There is a less exposed surface area for mold and bacteria to grow an hide. It is easy to see when newsprint needs to be changed. Newsprint is not usually spot cleaned. So the cage environment should more pathogen free, provided you keep a regular cleaning/maintenance schedule. It is also easier on the old pocketbook! People who maintain large collections always have to keep a handle on the operating costs. Newspaper is FREE...
And we are just recycling a used product....even better for the environment!!!

Hope that info was helpful.
Take care,
Harlin Wall - WALL TO WALL REPTILES!
970-245-7611

>>Hello Rob and Anyone else interested in the subject.
>>Good question.
>>I am happy to share.
>>
>>I had also used aspen bedding for many years....but decided to switch to news print a few years ago.
>>Keep in mind that you can also grow mold on newspaper….but it is easier to watch out for…and more difficult for the mold and bacteria to take hold on the paper’s relatively flat surface.
>>
>>Drywall manufacturing companies are beginning to offer paper free drywall....as mold can grow on paper ….(if the drywall is to become moist.)
>>Mold and Bacteria can cause Nosocomial Infections in Humans.
>>And these Drywall companies are trying to offer a better product.
>>
>>I live Out West...Colorado.
>>Here we utilize "swamp coolers"… Evaporative Coolers to cool homes in this dry climate.. (in a dry climate swamp coolers are more efficient than air conditioners.) Anyway, the manufacturing companies that sell the EXCELSIOR Evaporative Cooler Pads (A Pad made from aspen shavings) recommend that you change out your pads often, because Mold and Bacteria growing on the excelsior pads has been linked to Nosocomial Infections such as Legionella.…(actually a bacteria rather than a mold.)
>>
>>Moist aspen bedding is a great breeding ground for both mold and bacteria.
>>
>>People often tend to "spot clean" when using particulate type beddings. This gives the mold and bacteria an even better chance to spread and grow. It can stir up the spores and bacterium...allowing it to spread.
>>Dry dust from the aspen bedding could cause other respiratory infections/ailments as well.
>>Here is some info that I just copied off the web.
>>You can do a a google search on these subjects.
>>These is plenty of info out there.
>>.......................................
>>
>>“Mold And Health
>>
>>Mold Allergy, Mycotoxins And Mold Infections
>>
>>
>>How Do Molds Affect Our Health?
>>There are three ways in which mold can affect our health. These include allergy, mycotoxin poisoning and infections.
>>
>>
>>Allergenic Reactions
>>An allergy is an acquired sensitivity to allergenic particles such as mold spores and pollen. Allergy acquired from a single exposure is specific to one or to closely related species. Multiple exposures may result in multiple sensitivities. Alternaria and Cladosporium are the two most common causes of allergy. Some mold allergies are associated with work environment such as:
>>
>>
>>
>>farmer's lung (thermophilic actinomycetes, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus versicolor, and Eurotium rubrum),
>>cheesewasher's lung (Penicillium casei),
>>malt-worker's lung (Aspergillus clavatus, Aspergillus fumigatus),
>>maple-bark stripper's lung (Cryptostroma corticale),
>>sawmill worker's lung (Rhizopus rhizopodiformis, Penicillium spp., Aspergillus fumigatus, Trichoderma viride),
>>mushroom picker's lung (Pleurotus ostreatus, Pholiota nameko, Aspergillus fumigatus, Doratomyces stemonitis).
>>
>>
>>Mycotoxins
>>Mycotoxins are toxic compounds that some molds produce. These can be introduced into our bodies through inhalation of spores or airborne mycotoxins in dust. However, eating food contaminated with mold is also a major route of mycotoxin poisoning. The best known mycotoxins are aflatoxins produced by various species of Aspergillus. Aflatoxins have a history of causing death in animals and humans and also trigger cancer development.
>>
>>
>>Infections
>>Infections by common indoor molds is unlikely. However, individuals with weak immune system are at risk of being infected by species of Aspergillus (e.g., Aspergillus fumigatus), Fusarium (e.g., Fusarium solani) and other opportunistic pathogens.”
>>........................................................
>>
>>Also check out this site....Loads of information.
>>http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/RR/RR4910.PDF
>>
>>I also did a search on Aspen Excelsior....(aspen shavings used in evaporative coolers.)
>>I used the Aspen Excelsior for the search because it is more commonly used and it should provide more information about what Aspen Bedding can do when it becomes moist.
>>
>>One of the sites...http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5776380.html
>>Titled: Chemical and microbiological resistant evaporative cooler media and processes for making the same.
>>
>>Had this information:
>>..........................................
>>“For example, these wood shavings, by being organic and having a relatively high sugar content, have proven to be effective breeding grounds for various types of bacteria and molds carried by the air. This has resulted in coolers containing such pads soon giving off very objectionable swamp-like odors, and for this reason, coolers employing aspen excelsior have often been called "swamp coolers." Indeed, as this bacterial action continues on the shavings, the shavings are literally consumed and rendered worthless.”
>>
>>This was the reason behind the company utilizing a different material to manufacture the Evaporative Cooling Pads.
>>
>>Since Aspen Bedding can easily become moist in a cage environment and then harbor considerable loads of mold spores and bacteria....I decided to discontinue using it.
>>
>>Although newsprint can also mold. There is a less exposed surface area for mold and bacteria to grow an hide. It is easy to see when newsprint needs to be changed. Newsprint is not usually spot cleaned. So the cage environment should more pathogen free, provided you keep a regular cleaning/maintenance schedule. It is also easier on the old pocketbook! People who maintain large collections always have to keep a handle on the operating costs. Newspaper is FREE...
>>And we are just recycling a used product....even better for the environment!!!
>>
>>Hope that info was helpful.
>>Take care,
>> Harlin Wall - WALL TO WALL REPTILES!
>> 970-245-7611

I hate when I mistake the enter key for the tab key. At any rate, what the previous message was supposed to say was.....you gave some great information, I appreciate it and I learned something new today. Thanks again.

Rob

no post.