I've recently acquired a gopher snake, and was wondering what substrate you guys used. I have my snake on aspen shavings, but read that you have to feed him in a separate enclosure, presumably to avoid ingestion of the shavings.
reako45
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New Pituophus Keeper Questions
reako45
Jul 28, 2005 12:28 AM
Replies (4)
mattcbiker
Jul 28, 2005 11:42 AM
It is a good idea to feed in a seperate enclosure, but I often feed in the cage for my bull and I use aspen shavings. I just make sure to dry the mouse well after it thaws so little if any shavings stick to it. I've been doing this for years and only a couple times have one of my snakes allowed any substrate into their mouth.
Problems can arise if the only time you interact with your snake is when you feed it in its cage. It will develop a feeding response and may think your hand is food. I don't have a problem with this since I handle my snakes daily.
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Matt from Minnesota
Shaun Roberson
Jul 28, 2005 04:03 PM
I generally like to keep babies on paper for at least the first year to prevent any possible ingestion problems with substrate. I keep many adults and sub-adults on aspen though, and never have any problems with it.
P&S Pituophis
birddog5151
Jul 28, 2005 06:16 PM
I go back and forth between newspaper/paper towels and cypress mulch(Home Depot). I don't like the dust in the mulch it seems like it doesn't take any time for a large snake or tegu to produce lots of dust. I use lots of paper towels drying frozen/thawed mice and rats. Also those blue rolls of shop towels you can get at automotive stores or Walmart work very well as a substrate. I have tried aspen shavings and thought they had a tendency to dry out too much. The other extreme they stick to things like food when damp. As you can tell I am in a newspaper/paper towel phase. There is a product called carefresh and tek-fresh. I thought they were good products, but not as good as newspaper/paper towels. Scott Felzer on the Garter forum uses and reccommends both carefresh and tek-fresh. You might look at his site. I hope this helps.
Mike B
reako45
Jul 29, 2005 07:13 PM
Wow! Thanx everyone for your help, knowledge and advice. I guess I'll stick w/ the aspen. My guy, Rocko (Pituophus melanoleucus) is small (28"
, not like some of the behemoths on this forum.
reako45
