Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Which substrate is best??! now i know that each to there own but i need to know what the consensus is and i know everyone says that paper towel is cheapest safest n cleanest, but im thinkin about making a change to mulch? for excersise n keeping entertained purpose's So long time herpers would need apply to this Ques ?!? im looking for a great answer to this timeless Question?

After all the times I see this question or talk about it with other keepers, I still choose aspen shavings. I like them, some people say its too dusty, but I havnt had a problem yet-(knock on wood) and I like the way it looks, plus the snakes like it too-(I think, I mean they didnt tell me,lol) but they are always cruising through it and hiding under it. But I also use aspen chips sometimes, but dont have a place where I can get them all the time, so i go with the shavings.
Jeff Teel,

PS- I hear carefresh is a good product too, I know lots of people use that, its the grey colored ground stuff.

Thank's Jeff i know your a bigtime keeper so from now on im taking your advice...about the dust thing? i can just change it out before it gets too dry? one too two weeks needs a change yes? well n e way thnx alot for your help jeff im going to go thru with your advice and use aspen shavings! thanks for all the help! On a Second note i need your expert advice and help on this subject ROCK'S! are all types safe for snakes or is there a type of earthly stone that has no place in a Kingsnake Enclosure? i e tank. Your Expert Advie would be greatly appreciated! Fellow KingSnake Adorer Mike.S

Hi Mike,
Actaully, I dont use any rocks in my cages. Rocks can be deadly. When I was younger and not keeping snake for breeding and had numerous cages with decor in them, I had a little zonata in a nice looking rocky cage with pine cones and etc, it was a neat looking zonata habitita, but one of the rocks had slipped and pinned him down, it killed him, I think it brokwe his neck, i found him in the morning with the rock on him like that. I was devastated then,blaming myself. But as for hides-(snakes do need them, they like it) I use paper towel rolls-( the card board from when all the towels are gone) those are great cause you can throw them away and replace them easy. Also, I use little salad type plastics for hides-(you can get them at places like office depot and such) but they work great. I just turn them upside down, you could even cut a hole in the lid and leave them like that. I know rocks look beter but its much easier to do with stuff you can throw away. If you have just 1 snake, then i'd say make it a nice set-up, nice looking habitat, use any rocks you want, just wash them with hot water and soap, even use a very little amount of bleach and let them air out and dry for a couple days before placing anything that was washed with bleach back into a cage with a snake. Well good luck,
Jeff

dear Jeff Hi, Thank's Ton's Your The Man, i would still like to use the rock's im just going to take your advice and not try to prop them up on anything this way theres no risk of my snake shifting them and causing them to collapse on himself!i hope you agree! im also going to take your advice about letting the rocks dry out for a few day's reason being i did use bleach as a disinfectant Your the best,Excellent advice!Very Much Apperciated.Mike. P.s i would apprecitate it if i had any other questions or come across any problems i cant handle myself! You Seem To know what your talking about n i trust your advice greatly many many thanks for all the expert help n advice! n e thing i can do your way just let me know!Your bud Mike.

hey jeff, could u send me your email again i had made a mistake at my email account n lost yours! im lookwitheyesnothands@yahoo.com appr it. p.p.s hey what did u think about what he said that cal kings need 85-80 to digest? im in somewhat of an agreement? my one king like its it hot (desert phase cali king) where as my brooks Hypo does not he's been in the cooler hide last two days is this ok not a badd sing is it? well just trying to fet the best advice from someone with your knowledge n expertise.talk to ya your friend Mike.

I use paper towels as it lets me know when the cage is dirty far better than buried or hidden snake turds in shavings. Couple that with a rack and you have the makings for trouble (lowered air circulation). Now if you are faithful with your cleanings then you have no problem of course. The other thing I dont like about shavings is not being able to feed on it . I know 20 people will get on here and tell you they do but I know people who have had problems like mouth rot due to a wood chip or impaction etc... Some folks will feed in a sepreat container and thats fine but when you have a decent number of snakes that gets to be a hassle. I dont like the carefresh because its real dusty. I tried it and found gray dust caked in my Kings' nostrils. I usually suggest that try everything and stick with what works for you personally.

Keith
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Hi Keith, You got it! thanks for the a-plus advice! im prob going to go with the aspen shavings or the chunks jeff teel advice. but umm yeah thnx alot Mike.