Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everybody,

I am in the process of setting up good looking terrariums for my snakes that I can display and would like to switch from Aspen (which I am currently using) to the Zoomed Repti Bark substrate. I've looked around for different products and the Zoomed is the one that I liked due to functionality and looks. I definitely believe the looks are much nicer with the bark rather than the aspen.

My cages are the T-10s from Animal Plastics which I received recently and I will be adding fake plants and branches in the cages along with realistic looking water bowls and hide boxes.

So my question is: has anybody used this substrate before and what are your comments? Does it give out too much humidity? Is it easy to spot clean? Does it need frequent changing? Does it smell? Most importantly, do the animals like it?

Please note that I'm looking for answers based on experience (or the experience of someone you know) rather than academic answers.

By the way, I have 3 snakes; a normal BCI, a Dumeril's boa and a Ball Python that I will be setting up and I'm in it as a hobby, not as a business.

Thank you.
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1.0.0 Dumerils Boa
1.0.0 Royal Python
1.0.0 Boa Constrictor Imperator

Here is a link to the Zoomed product page for those who want to remind themselves of the product:
Zoomed Repti Bark
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1.0.0 Dumerils Boa
1.0.0 Royal Python
1.0.0 Boa Constrictor Imperator

I have used it in the past for high humidity species and it holds humidity very well. The bark is not heat treated as that would destroy its humidity holding properties and it is known to harbor mites and their eggs. When I used reptibark I used to get steady mite infestations. I started treating every new bag by spraying Provent A Mite or Equate Bedding Spray inside the bag and sealing it back up and letting it sit for 2-3 days. The mite problem then vanished. I also got away from bark as I feed in the cage and did not want the snakes to injest bark. Having kept constrictors most of my life and gone full circle with substrates I settled on the sterile approach with newspaper. Not the best looking but cleaner for the snakes. You can spot clean the bark but you are still leaving behind underlying urine/feces that ad up as time goes on and feed bacteria. The bark can be washed but I usually replaced it. Bill.
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...three years ago it was just another snake cult...
The Retic is King.
Anacondas-the other Dark Side.
Afrocks-the dark side of the Dark Side.

Thanks for the reply and information. The tip about the mites is really a heads up as I had no idea of this potential problem. If I end up using Repti Bark, I'll definitely do what you did by using Provent-A-Mite or some similar product.

Thanks again.
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1.0.0 Dumerils Boa
1.0.0 Royal Python
1.0.0 Boa Constrictor Imperator

My husband and I have used reptibark for six years with our ball pythons and we've been very satified with it. The mite issue is true. It holds moisture well, but doesn't stay wet for long periods of time so the snakes aren't lying on wet substrate. It looks nice in any tank, and is relatively easy to clean. Spot cleaning is important, and you'll sometimes feel like you're on a treasure hunt for white gold when sifting through it. As for serious cleaning, soaking it in hot water for a few hours will give you some extra life out of the substrate (then drying it out of course), which I think the bag recommends every six months (could be three, I can't remember right off hand)but the instructions are on the bag. We do not feed our snakes in their enclosures, so we have no experience with any being ingested. Good luck.

Thank you for the reply. It's sad to hear the mite issue again. You'd expect packaged, and expensive I might say, products to be treated first before being sold. I'll definitely take the mite issue more seriously.

Thanks again.
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1.0.0 Dumerils Boa
1.0.0 Royal Python
1.0.0 Boa Constrictor Imperator