Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i was wondering if i can use shredded paper as a form of substrate for my ball pythons??

I don't see why not. Plenty of people use paper towel or newsprint as substrate.
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"What is man without the beasts?
If all the beasts were gone,
men would die from great loneliness of spirit.
For what happens to the beasts,
soon happens to men.
All things are connected."

-Chief Seattle (Duwamish Tribe)

I think it would work well as a substrate. I personally use newspaper, to keep everything as sanitary as possible as well as cost effective. It think it would depend on your source of shredded paper and the size of your collection if it would be a good idea for you. Keep in mind you still need to change it all out every month or two to keep it all sanitary. I'd love to hear how it works out for you and your opinion on it when you try it.

i work where everything is confidential and we have to shred everything, so i have access to all the shredded paper i need. its shredded print paper with print on it. i'll let you guys know how it turns out. thanks for the feedback.

it is okay substrate I have used it in the past, but if you have snakes that spill alot of water, it gets messy. Also, if you have white snakes, the paper gets wet the ink will bleed and make your white snake look dirty. But my snakes enjoyed hiding in it. I didn't have a source as good for mine, that's one of the reasons I don't use it anymore.
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This is courage.. to bear unflinching what heaven sends. -unknown

1.0 Basset Hound (Capone)
1.1 cats (San Quinton and Gracie)

If you feed your snakes and he/she eats the paper? they do from time to time get there bedding mixed in with there food.

Not sure printed sheets would be good...as most businesses use laser printers and the toner is toxic. Though I think the toxicity is worse during the actual printing process but not as bad after its cooled and been lying around awhile...still I would be concerned with any paper ingested...

Other than that, I don't see anything wrong with shredded paper in general. I would recommend changing it weekly or whenever soiled, just like with paper towel or newsprint. I have used shredded paper before with rodents, they love to form nests out of it...snakes would just crawl all over it, maybe burrow into it, if layered thick enough though I think a heavy bodied snake like a ball python would just flatten it all down after awhile.
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PHLdyPayne