Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've heard so many differing opinions on astroturf or that jungle carpet stuff they sell in pet stores. Their are a couple of people I've talked to on here who use some sort of turf and seem to have no problems with it and have healthy snakes. But, I've also heard people say that using that stuff can be bad for a snake and cause problems with it's scales. So, which is right? I would actually prefer to use the jungle carpet if it's OK for a BP to be on. Is it bad for them to slither around on or is it OK to use? What are all your opinions on this?

I wouldn't use it...

- It can be a breeding-ground for bacteria... unless you have several pieces to rotate while you "really" clean it.

- It "can" cause some skin problems... well, maybe not cause them but definitely contribute.

- It looks trashy... in my opinion.

- Not great with humidity.

- Not at all better than newspaper, paper towels, aspen or other wood/bark chips.

Not even a contender in my books....
-----

1.) Ball Pythons are wild animals. They live in the dirtiest or rockiest or dryest or wettest places as anywhere else, but they can move freely to determine the comfortable terrain for them at any given time. Don't forget this... and that said...

2.) The Substrate should be cleaned regularly to prevent bacteria.

3.) The Substrate should be proven NON TOXIC.

4.) The Substrate should not be allowed to remain moist.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Follow those three simple guides and you can use just about anything but sand. (Sorry if I left out anything important)

Newspaper, Papertowels, Cypress, Aspen, Turf, Jungle Carpet, Pebbles, Reptibark, etc.

I think you'll be fine.
-----
-Iman

1.1 Sugar Gliders
2.0 Balls (Spot and Speck)
0.1 Colombian BCI (Belle)
1.0 Colombian Rainbow (Rex)

Loving to Learn
Learning to Help
Helping to Love

Some are more likely to snag than others.

I use Lizard Liner - it's a green felt carpet. No snags.

I keep 2 pieces (one in use in cage and the other clean and ready to use). Once a week I switch them out. To clean I soak in hot soapy water, scrub, rinse and then disinfect in Nolvasan/Virosan, rinse and dry (either air dry or in dryer). I spot clean regularly. My BP seems to go to the bathroom in the same place so that makes it easier.

I love it: nice look, easy to clean, stays dry and I can feed on it.

I don't think it looks crappy at all - I think it looks more natural and nicer than newspaper, aspen, etc.

Just my opinion. I've never heard anyone have problems with it.

-----
Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"

1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
"Gimli"

1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
"Indigo"

1.0 Saharan Sand Boa
"Frodo"

0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa
"Arwen"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

I like your setup and it actually kind of looks like mine, minus the leaves. Anyway, could you take a picture sometime with your snake in it so I could see the size of your snake in proportion to the tank? Just out of curiosity, I'd like to see that sometime. Thanks.

I'll sure try. Feeding day is coming up so he should start coming out more. I'll post when I get one.
-----
Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"

1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
"Gimli"

1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
"Indigo"

1.0 Saharan Sand Boa
"Frodo"

0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa
"Arwen"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"