Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi what is the best bedding for monacle cobras? any ideas thank you.

Hey Cobie. Monocleds will do well on a variety of substrates. Many keepers like to maintain their snakes on newspaper bedding. The only real problem here is letting the newspaper get soiled and not realizing it, hence letting the snake lay on damp and dirty newspaper. This can cause water blisters and the like. Another alternative would be to use cypress mulch. This holds humidity very well, but you want to make sure not to let it get too moist because again, water blisters may result. Really grainy substrates aren't a good idea because of the potential risk for impaction. ReptiBark has worked well for me in the past, just be sure not to feed on the substrate itself. Avoid using sand and ground walnut shell (because it will expand). Hope this helped.
-Chance
River Valley Snakes

(did I just say that) Monacleds require a good bit of humidity inorder to shed properly. As was mentioned, newspaper is used alot, especially since monacleds poop so much and require constant cage cleaning. Its cheap and easy to get.

As for more natural substrates, alot of people like to use cypress, somtimes combind with spagnum moss inorder to keep the humidity up. However, you definately dont want it to get too wet because of the posible health issues Chance brought up.

Right now I am useing aspen on my sub sdult female kaouthia but I ran out of everything else and she soaks ALOT(not because of mites BTW) so I dont really have to worry about humidity except for the occasional misting. However, generaly, I wouldnt recomend aspen because it stays way too dry. Its alright for alot of African sp of Naja but genneraly not so for the Asians.

Welp, my 2 pennies for what its worth.

Later,
J