Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Aspen as substrate…good or bad?
what do you all think?
-----
1.3 Ball Pythons with more in the oven

I hear nothing but good things about it. I just changed my substrate from cypress mulch to aspen. People here was saying that the cypress mulch can have bugs and I'm not with that. I want to give my balls nothing but the best.
I still use the cypress mulch for my Radiated tortoises because there tubs are open and I can see whats going on all the time. I will let you know how it works for me. Hope I was of some help.

I do want to find out if the Aspen get mold fast. I mist the front of my plastic tubs I use for my ball pythons everyday for the humidity. And I think some one told me it did. If some one can help me with that, that would be sweet.

Thanks
DragonDavy

Aspen will mold faster than cypress, but for relatively low humidity setups it is fine as long as it gets a chance to dry out between mistings. I use it for my bp and find it helps to "toss" the areas that do get wet (under the water bowl) to keep it exposed to air exchange. I would not use it for species that require constant higher humidity like emeralds or BRBs. Cypress would be better there. Also, I've read that cypress is not harvested in as environmentally sensitive a manner...the entire tree is ground up to make it whereas aspen can be made from "waste" wood.

Do you think its a good idea to mist the front of the plastic everyday for humidity or do you think the water from there water dish is all thats needed?

Thanks
DragonDavy

Hi there. My Bp seems to like the Aspen. I know the people over at vpi.com recommend it. I've had no problems with it so far.

Hope this helps.

Ses01

thanks all for your imput

Carlton that was some great info thanks
-----
1.3 Ball Pythons with more in the oven