Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Thinking of switching my BP (and other snakes) to new substrates...

For newspaper ... do you let the paper sit around for a few days so that the ink totally dries up? Is there any concern about the ink when feeding?

Anything else about PT?

Thanks
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3.6.3 Leopard Geckos (1.4.3 Albino)
~~25 Leo eggs cookin'~~
1.1 Ball Pythons
1.0 African Fat Tail Gecko
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.0 Blair's Phase Gray Banded Kingsnake

Sorry, I've never had a pastel so can't answer for sure (although I would think someone would have mentioned it if they did shed clear).

The only clear shedders I know of are the ghost/hypomelanistics and the Silver Ghost. I'd love to hear if there are any other clear shedders from the few in the know about other rare snakes such as Banana, Desert Ghost, and Platinum.

If I'm not mistaken, I believe my albino also sheds clear. If there is a pattern, it is so faded, it's not really visible.

I've used newsprint since day one for all my snakes; IMHO there is no other "practical" substrate FOR ME.
It turns out that when I clean cages, it has "sat around" for at least a few days, so I can’t comment on that.
Sure others look nicer, but I love news print and will use it until there is a new revelation in slicing bread.
I have had no Ill effects from using it; I mist it during shed with no problems, and feed on it every feeding.
What more can I say.
Try it – see if you like it – if not try something else
TomChambers

No need to wait to use newspaper, just use the black & white sections though. Colored inks (like in ads, etc) may run if wet, it's probrably not that big of a deal, but I try not to use any colored ink sections w/ my animals. I've never had a single problem with newspaper in 15 years of keeping. Granted, I've switched from time to time, generally for something more visually pleasing to the eye, or a little lower maintenance (although newspaper is super easy for cleaning cages, you'll have more frequent changes) and rest assure as soon as you put him/her in on new, clean paper...they'll go...lol...usually within a few seconds!! So don't get discouraged...lol!! Very "keeper" friendly, easy to change - so instead of spot cleaning and sporatic bedding replacement, you'll have a 100% sanitary substrate. Good decision if you ask me!! Oh yeah - if by chance you want to go with something a little more "natural" looking...go with butcher's paper (local hardware store - also affordable) they have a variety of sizes, and come in rolls, it has a more natural color, and allows you to do a little more with decor if you'd like. Hope this helps!! Good luck!!

Get a supply of newsprint (unprinted newspaper stock). Put as much regular newspaper on the cage floor as you like, and then cover that with a couple of sheets of the unprinted stuff. Voila! The best of both worlds – plenty of free paper to soak up liquids and no worries about ink absorption through the animal’s skin unless it burrows, plus it is more visually pleasing for you.

I’ve used newspaper substrate for many years and the main issues I had were that the ink was always on my hands and on the water bowls. That’s still a minor problem. Also, I’ve always had it in my head (with absolutely no proof) that the colored ink could somehow be more harmful, so I only use the sections printed with black ink. And I’ve got to admit, I’ve occasionally thought in an entirely anthropomorphic vein, would I like to spend my entire life lying on that ink and breathing in those fumes? Answer – of course not, but I still think that sheet paper is really the way to go for many species of snakes, including ball pythons. The easier something is to clean, the more likely I am to keep after it. It’s just human nature.

-Joan

Since newsprint is an oil based ink, I've heard that it can take 50 years to dry, I've noticed that even papers over a year old will smear and get on stuff. Newspaper ink used to be made from petrolium oils, but is now soybean based oil so should be much safer for you animals. The ink issue has always bugged me but since it's recycled paper and therefore free, I've always put up with it. I've used newspaper for many many years with no harm to the snakes. HOWEVER, I'm enclosing a link to a paper products seller that I've always wanted to try out. They sell various sized rolls of kraft paper and bogus paper. These are unprinted and should work very well for cageliners. I've never tried it myself but if someone else has, please let me know how it works for you. Here is the link.

Mark

ULINE packing products.

Hi Mike –

Here’s a little bit on that subject (click here) from a thread that seemed to go on forever on the Caging forum. I use Uline for indented kraft paper even though I have to pay sales tax and even though their prices always seem a bit high just because when I’ve compared products, theirs comes out ahead. You wouldn’t want plain kraft – it just isn’t absorbent enough (think grocery store bags or mailing envelopes). I tried indented bogus paper from another supplier and didn’t like it as much as Uline’s indented kraft. If Uline’s bogus paper had come in cut sheets like newsprint does, I would have tried it. I think you’d have to tear off a number of pieces for each cage. Plus, those rolls look heavy. You ought to ask for a sample and report back what you think. By the way, the UPS charges are a killer on those heavy paper products.

I can hardly believe I’m BUYING sheets and rolls of paper for snake cage substrate! But it is nice not to see last month’s news in every enclosure.

-Joan

Actually right after I posted that message I thought to myself, "why not give it a try?" So I ordered 3 rolls of the indented Kraft paper and a paper cutter. Actually the shipping charges weren't too bad, apparently they have a warehouse less then 40 miles from me. I'll let everyone know how I like it after I've used it for a while.

Mark

>>Hi Mike –
>>
>>Here’s a little bit on that subject (click here) from a thread that seemed to go on forever on the Caging forum. I use Uline for indented kraft paper even though I have to pay sales tax and even though their prices always seem a bit high just because when I’ve compared products, theirs comes out ahead. You wouldn’t want plain kraft – it just isn’t absorbent enough (think grocery store bags or mailing envelopes). I tried indented bogus paper from another supplier and didn’t like it as much as Uline’s indented kraft. If Uline’s bogus paper had come in cut sheets like newsprint does, I would have tried it. I think you’d have to tear off a number of pieces for each cage. Plus, those rolls look heavy. You ought to ask for a sample and report back what you think. By the way, the UPS charges are a killer on those heavy paper products.
>>
>>I can hardly believe I’m BUYING sheets and rolls of paper for snake cage substrate! But it is nice not to see last month’s news in every enclosure.
>>
>>-Joan

I meant, you ought to try the plain bogus paper. Oh well. The indented kraft by itself isn't absorbent enough, I don't think. But I like it in conjunction with plain newsprint.

In any case I'll be giving it a try tomorrow. I ordered the stuff yesterday and today I find it sitting on my front step. I don't think I've ever had anything shipped to me that fast. I wish other companies were that prompt in their shipping.

Mark

>>I meant, you ought to try the plain bogus paper. Oh well. The indented kraft by itself isn't absorbent enough, I don't think. But I like it in conjunction with plain newsprint.