Reptile & Amphibian Forums

1. what are some good natural looking (easy to clean) substrates for ball pythons?

2. i was thinking of using repti-bark. Is that ok to use? are there any problems with it? is it easy to clean up after the snake poops?

3. any one use repti bark? if so, what do u think about it?

Thanks

oh another question:
is aspen ok to use? many people use aspen for their snake. are there any problems with it?

...I've never been a fan of organic substrates (such as Repti-bark) because it'll support bacterial/fungal growth. Reptibark is not very absorbant, and you'll end up with a stanky cage without elaborate effort in spot cleaning. Aspen is better because it is light-colored and easier to tell when soiled. I use unprinted newsprint and is very sanitary. Sanitation is the bottom-line in herp keeping, not aesthetics that the SNAKE cares nothing about. IMHO. Scott J. Michaels DVM

WHere can you get the unprinted newspaper?

If heard if you use bark you should feed in a separate container. I too worried about being able to spot clean and mold problems.

I use ESU's Lizard Liner Terrarium Carpet. It's a green felt carpeting that's not abrasive nor does it fray (and possibley lead to ingestion) like astroturf or other carpets. It's easy to spot clean urates and feces. I keep 2 on hand. Each week I take it out of the tank to clean and disinfect and replace with a new one. I find it somewhat natural because it reminds me of grass.

I use Forest Bark. Its like Repti-Bark, but is 100% better. Its guranteed no fungal growth, and you can mist it all you want and it wont get soggy like Newspaper or somtimes aspen. It looks alot better than the 2 also. Only draw back is you have to check for waste and take alot more substrate out than you would want. I personally take a 1x1 inch square out where the waste is touching, just to be sure i didnt miss anything.

Its also re-usable, just soak in hot water and swish around for 5-10 minutes until clean. I dont do this, i just replace it toatally every time its starts to get old.(4-5 months) I go through about 2 24qt bags a year....It hold humidity very well, and when heated slowly releases it. I can mist twice a week and the humidity will stay around 65-70%...100% shed rate.