Reptile & Amphibian Forums

what is this bed a beast i keep hearing about? is this stuff better for kingsnakes? I hear its nontoxic and safe to feed on, but can kings borrow in this stuff? anyone use this with kings? I can get a whole bunch on sale, but dont want to use it if the aspen is better..I never heard of it till today, and still not sure what it really is, I just heard its nontoxic and safe to ingest....how does it look? thanks

>>what is this bed a beast i keep hearing about? is this stuff better for kingsnakes? I hear its nontoxic and safe to feed on, but can kings borrow in this stuff? anyone use this with kings? I can get a whole bunch on sale, but dont want to use it if the aspen is better..I never heard of it till today, and still not sure what it really is, I just heard its nontoxic and safe to ingest....how does it look? thanks

Its just ground up coconut fibers, used in the past and got tired of the mess it created. Holds heat, moisture and smells well. Some of my snakes did consume the stuff with no ill effects since its non toxic and fibrous. Have read issues with certain species of snakes that have heat pits and the fibers causing eructations inside, pythons and boas as an example. My vote still is newspapaer.
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Jason A.
"Long time Herper, first year Breeder `07."

>>>>what is this bed a beast i keep hearing about? is this stuff better for kingsnakes? I hear its nontoxic and safe to feed on, but can kings borrow in this stuff? anyone use this with kings? I can get a whole bunch on sale, but dont want to use it if the aspen is better..I never heard of it till today, and still not sure what it really is, I just heard its nontoxic and safe to ingest....how does it look? thanks
>>
>>Its just ground up coconut fibers, used in the past and got tired of the mess it created. Holds heat, moisture and smells well. Some of my snakes did consume the stuff with no ill effects since its non toxic and fibrous. Have read issues with certain species of snakes that have heat pits and the fibers causing eructations inside, pythons and boas as an example. My vote still is newspapaer.
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>>Jason A.
>>"Long time Herper, first year Breeder `07."
>>

Here is what it looks like;

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Jason A.
"Long time Herper, first year Breeder `07."

It's really dusty when it dries up. I'm not a fan. Stick to aspen.
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Diego

SWCHR

I love the stuff. I'm keeping an MBK and a ball python on it, and I find it works quite well. It is a bit messy, particularly when it gets dry. But- its very easy to spot clean, because its so absorbent. It holds moisture like a sponge, so it's very easy to maintain humidity, but its very mold-resistant. I've been getting *perfect* sheds out of both snakes every time.

I dont normally feed on it, but I have, and there were no problems. My terrariums are somewhat naturalistic, so it also looks attractive. The snakes do conceal themselves in it, particularly the kingsnake.

I prefer it to aspen and bark because its cheaper, more attractive, holds humidity much better and is easier to spot clean. I don't use newspaper because it would defeat the point of a naturalistic terrarium.

Can u post some pics of your natural terrarium please would really like to see what can be done
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Cheesemonkey

I would but my camera stopped working.

Basically I'm using corkbark, driftwood, a rock and a few silk plants on coconut husk. I'm of the opinion that a more stimulating environment (with limits of course) is beneficial to any animal, including snakes. The corkbark function as hides. The driftwood is for climbing and I swap pieces about once a month. The plants are more for aesthetics than anything but they do add cover, so it's possible they provide some additional security.