Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have many large snakes and after years of newspaper am wondering if anyone has had success with any other substrates for large retics, anacondas, and rocks. Something that is absorbent and clean. I've tried carefresh (awful!), and some fir chips (too dusty and not even close to absorptive enough) Any ideas? If not I'll stick to the newspaper.
Thanks,
Shane

1.1 Sulawesi retics
1.1 super dwarf x Jampea retics
0.1 Super tiger retic
1.0 Yellow headed retic
1.0 Silver retic
1.1 Striped African rocks
0.1 Amethystine (scrub) Python
0.1 Green Anaconda
0.1 Yellow Anaconda
0.1 Amazon Tree Boa
1.0 Ornate Box Turtle
0.1 Tiger Salamander
1.1 Blue tongued skinks

I use cypress mulch from time to time. It keeps the humidity up really well and has a really natural look. I get mine at Lowes, but it may be hard to find depending on where you live.
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-Steve Ray

Cypress. Does it have any kind of odor to it? I'm allergic to cedar and pine (not that I would use that anyhow), so Iwas just curious. Thanks

I use paper towels for my snakes. They have humidity huts in their cages, and even outside the huts, the humidity stays at a good 60-65%. The paper towels give a very clean look, and it displays the color of the snakes very nice. It's a little more expensive than newspaper, but it's not anymore expensive than cypruss and what not, and there are never any worries of bugs. In the humidity huts, I use a spagnum moss, which works great, never any bugs, always keeps good humidity. Also, paper towels are easier to manage than newspaper, because they are stronger and made to absorb and can lift a nice weight while wet. My Anacondas are in 8'x30" cages and my super tiger is in a 6'x30" cage, and they all have 100% clean sheds.
~Ben R.
- 10' F/ Green x Yellow Anaconda
- 8' M/ Green Anaconda
- 4' M/ Super Tiger Retic

Hey Ben.

How many layers of paper towels do you use? I'm assuming you mean the regular Bounty or Scott Towels, or some other brand?

Bill

I usually only use 1 layer. I can layer both 8'x30" and the 6'x30" cages and still have extra left over from one roll though. One layer is just easier to manage, I mean it wouldn't hurt to use more, but one seems to work fine with me. I usually change it weekly though. Hope this helps some!
~Ben
- 1.0 Green x Yellow Anaconda
- 0.1 Green Anaconda
- 0.1 Super Tiger Reticulated Python

Do you have any trouble with the sphagnum holding in too much moisture? I am under the impression that that stuff can get pretty heavy and hard to manage when it hits water.