Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know that this may seem like a basic question but... I use and have always used newspaper (last 10 years or so) and have not had any problems. After talking with several people at a show recently though, they have possibly turned me over to aspen, cypress mulch or something else. I was just wondering what everyone uses or has a preference for and why. Is it because its the best for the boas? Is it because it is easy to clean? Is it because it looks the best? Just wondering... I hope everyone had a great christmas, I know I did. I just finished putting a Barbie Jeep together and I'm getting ready to go out and watch my daughter ride it. Good luck to everyone in the breeding season.

Travis

I use Aspen because I like how easy the cleaning is. The Boas seem comfortable in it. Breeding and especially bearing live young is better in aspen.
I know many people who use News paper and are very happy with it.
Other people use the kraft paper rolls because of ease of use.
I suggest that if its not broken don't fix it.
Merry Christmas
. . . . Lar M
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Boas By Klevitz
Boas By Klevitz

I also forgot to mention one thing... those that use aspen or other wooden or coconut bark substrates, do you feed on those same substrates or do you remove to feed? Thanks for the information.

Travis

I feed on the Aspen. A little aspen ingested doesn't seem to be harmful from my stand point of view.
I imagine they ingest leaves, grass , small sticks etc... in the wild.
This is just my practice not necessarily right or wrong.
Happy Hanukkah (Hebrew: חנוכה‎, IPA: ['χanuka], alt. Chanukah), or
Merry Christmas
. . . . Lar M
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Boas By Klevitz
Boas By Klevitz

I use aspen in most of my cages. The snakes seem to move arround easier on it (no sliding arround like on paper). Also, young boas like to burrow in aspen. I do use newspaper in my largest cages (6ft neodeshas) most of the time, thats only because when my biggest boas move arround on aspen they usually fill thier water dishes with it.

Dan Eby