Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been using aspen for substrate. Is anything better then that? Thanks.

In my opinion aspen is probably the best pre packaged and ready to go bedding unless your looking for a substrate for snakes needing higher humidity.
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Randy Whittington

That's what I use for all my kings.

>>I have been using aspen for substrate. Is anything better then that? Thanks.

Aspen is very good! I use soft pine shavings just because I have a lot of snakes and it's cheaper.
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
Jorge Sierra

My Site > www.Sierrasnakes.com

Hi,

I use aspen, cypress mulch (when its in season), pine, and leaf litter. Sometimes seperately and sometimes in combination.

In the fall I collect bags and bags of oak and maple leaves and use them throughout the year in all of my cages. All of my herps appreciate leaf litter, it helps to increase humidity, security and insulation zones (both hot and cool. I can pile it up deep in a warm corner or pack it in a box and most snakes will comfortably nest in it.

I don't think folks pay enough attention to the potential of natural materials in their cages. Thanks.

Will

Do you do anything to the leaves to rid them of potential parasites before using them in the cages?
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Bob
Pyromaniac AKA Greatballzofire
Keeping cats allows man to cohabitate with tigers. Keeping reptiles allows man to cohabitate with dinosaurs.

Hi Bob,

No sir, I've never had the need. I've never had any snake get mites or ticks from leaflitter. I personally believe that even though such parasites obviously occur in the wild, they are largely a product of captivity. I also don't know of any direct lifecycle parasite that would infect my snakes from leaf litter. They are probably some out there, but I've never seen any evidence of them.

I don't know if it matters, but I always collect the leaves after the first killing frost of the year, just because it takes me that long to get out there. So that may take care of any nasties that are in the mix. However, I believe that if we support the animal's immune system through good husbandry, through broad temp and humidity choices and appropriate food, little invaders that they might encounter in/from the wild will not harm them. In any case, I've been using leaflitter as a direct substrate or a substrate suppliment for 30 years and have never encountered a problem. Thanks.

Will

>>I believe that if we support the animal's immune system through good husbandry, through broad temp and humidity choices and appropriate food, little invaders that they might encounter in/from the wild will not harm them. In any case, I've been using leaflitter as a direct substrate or a substrate suppliment for 30 years and have never encountered a problem. Thanks.

Great answer......
I wonder how they can live out there in the dangerous outdoors sometimes......LOL
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John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...

Interesting! Freezing the leaves does probably kill any pests. I think I will stick to deep aspen, though, as it is very easy to find feces in the light colored aspen.
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Bob
Pyromaniac AKA Greatballzofire
Keeping cats allows man to cohabitate with tigers. Keeping reptiles allows man to cohabitate with dinosaurs.

The incidence of parasites in fallen leaves has been greatly exaggerated by some of the herp community. There are many more common husbandry mistakes that can affect a pet snake far more than putting some untreated fallen leaves in a cage.

Of course I wouldn't want any bugs coming in that don't already occur in the house, especially termites. So for that reason, I am with you. I used to screen oak leaves with 3/8 inch wire mesh to let the debris fall through. That way only the big bugs would come in lol.

i'd like to echo using leaves. I didn't get many this year--our drought was so bad the trees never had leaves to lose But usually I throw in leaves in the fall when I can, particularly in naturalistic vivs. Seem to do find and incite some exploration.
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We wouldn't have 6 and a half billion people if you had to be beautiful to get laid.

Aspen is fine. Newspaper, butcher paper, cypress, zoo med bark, soil mixes...they can all work. Don't worry too much about it
If your king is doing well, eating, growing, acting normally, don't stress about substrate.
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We wouldn't have 6 and a half billion people if you had to be beautiful to get laid.

Kingsnakes appreciate not drying out. With many types of snakes, kingsnakes included, it is often much easier to use a dry particulate substrate like aspen and then provide a humid hide that the snake can use when needed.

I used a substrate - coir fiber, aka Eco Earth for example - mixed with sand. This was the most effective substrate as far as providing a perfect amount of humidity - not wet but not dry either. However, it is messy and gets all over and in the water bowl. So then I just quit using a water bowl and just soaked the snakes in shallow water from time to time, which they could drink if they wanted too. With adequate food and the ability for the snake to reduce moisture loss, they do not need to drink often at all. My kings never look dried out like alot of pet store kings do. But like I said, using aspen and a humid hide is less messy and just easier, and the snake still can get what it needs.

I am also using a plastic container with a cut out in the lid, that has sphagnum moss in it. He loves it! Especially after feeding & at shedding time.