Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey everyone, I was just wondering if any of the PTS keepers out there has tried Aspen. I am thinking of giving it a shot. Just to see how it works out, So I thought I would ask and see if anyone has run into problems with it before?

Devon

Aspen would not be ideal for either a Prehensile Tailed Skink or a Pink Tongued Skinks as both species require Humid enviornments.

Just as an update, I did switch my PTS over to aspen to give it a try and so far it has been great. I have never had a problem with humidity before regardless of substrate I mist regularly, I also add water once a week to the aspen to keep it form ever completely drying out it is very absorbent so it seems to be working fine. It also make cleaning VERY easy as you can see the urates clearly in the aspen, the "red tinted" wet spots are easier to see and spot clean. I was a bit worried about ingestion but I haven’t run into any problems, they seem to be doing well on it.

My PTS are almost never on the bottom except to soak and defecate, but I would worry a little about the wood pieces getting into eyes and nose or being too 'pokey'. I use plain old newspaper and change it daily (or as needed if no one poops on it that night, which is pretty rare!). You might consider adding a humidifier hooked to a humidistat to cycle on and off if you want to decrease the amount of spraying you have to do. Be careful about having the bottom be too damp if you are putting water in the wood substrate- watch for mold. I have a problem with that if I have the humidifier on too high and water drips on to the bottom frequently.
cheers, Jess b

I have been considering hooking up a humidifier But its not top priority since the humidity is doing fine with a heavy misting nightly. I also have 2 humid hides and as for molding of the wood substrate I watch carefully for that I only “wet it” when needed and I mix it regularly (to stop the bottom layer from becoming to damp and molding)

This seems to be working very well at the moment, Mine do occasionally come down from the branches, My trio is caged in a 4x2x6 cage (LxWxH) when they do come down its for a soak, or a nap in the Sphagnum moss. (Which I keep a large container of nice and wet). They LOVE sphagnum moss, from time to time I get a good deal on a large bail and I cover the entire floor of the cage in it about 4 inches deep, and they love it. I was using newspaper but I found they much prefer a loose substrate. I find they will come down and explore even tunnel in it if they are given the chance. The aspen is a not “pokey” at all its surprisingly soft and I have had no problems with it getting in there eye’s.

I have tried several different substrates and I have never run into mold, But I regularly mix substrates to keep everything “fresh”.

Devon