Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello Everyone
Im kinda wondering if Newspaper is Healthy to use for tanks i dont use it i use Aspen or Reptibark only now i might be odd but here is my feelings have you ever taken a sheet of news paper and rubbed your hands all over it then looked at your hands OMG black as black from the ink i use to have a Albino Cali king and every time i handled her my hands were black i got to doing some research and learned the ink will rub all over her she always looked dull in color compaired to other albinos i looked at i bathed her and guess what black water so i got to thinking if its (THE INK) is all over her and me she has to be injesting it also so out it came now this is just my thoughs and cares for my snakes but can the ink being all over the snakes be healthy for them
EDD
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0.1 Miami Phase Corn
1.0 Normal Corn
0.1 Standard Ball Python
0.0.1 Legless Lizard
1.1 Lepored Geckos
0.2 Green Iguanas
0.1 Blue Stripe Iguana
0.0.1 Blue Tounge Skink

The only experience I had with using newspaper was when I tried to replace the old bedding with it. My emories rat HATED it, I mean he wouldn't even go on it. He went half crazy trying to stay off of it and stay on the rocks I had in the cage. I would strongly advise against it, suggesting the more popular wood shavings (they look better too). I don't know if anyone else has had a similar experience, but I will never use it again.

xenophon

Newspaper is safe and a good choice for substrate. It's easy to clean and replace (much easier than bark).

If you're worried about the ink, you can often go to the local paper (Journal, whatever) and buy the ends of paper rolls that still have a bunch on (just not enough for more newspapers).

You can just as easily use paper towels. They do the same thing, they're easier for the snake to burrow under, and they're softer.

Walt

I agree with Walt 100%. Newspaper is completely safe - I've been keeping snakes on it for over 25 years. I've had instances where the ink has rubbed off on snakes and although unattractive, it doesn't happen all that much.

I have found that pine and aspen bedding has dust. When a snake is confined in an enclosure like a tank or rack system it is invariably inhaling dust - which probably isn't healthy.

Tim

Third Eye

I switched over to newspaper and love it. Cheap, easy to clean, and a breeze to replace. I will never go back to wood shavings!
Brian

>>Hello Everyone
>> Im kinda wondering if Newspaper is Healthy to use for tanks i dont use it i use Aspen or Reptibark only now i might be odd but here is my feelings have you ever taken a sheet of news paper and rubbed your hands all over it then looked at your hands OMG black as black from the ink i use to have a Albino Cali king and every time i handled her my hands were black i got to doing some research and learned the ink will rub all over her she always looked dull in color compaired to other albinos i looked at i bathed her and guess what black water so i got to thinking if its (THE INK) is all over her and me she has to be injesting it also so out it came now this is just my thoughs and cares for my snakes but can the ink being all over the snakes be healthy for them
>> EDD
>>-----
>>0.1 Miami Phase Corn
>>1.0 Normal Corn
>>0.1 Standard Ball Python
>>0.0.1 Legless Lizard
>>1.1 Lepored Geckos
>>0.2 Green Iguanas
>>0.1 Blue Stripe Iguana
>>0.0.1 Blue Tounge Skink
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RATS
1.0 Corn snake "Warpath"(KY locale)
1.0 Black rat snake "Havok" (KY locale)
1.1 Black rat snakes "Reaper and Mystique" (MO locale)
1.0 Albino Black rat snake "Malakai" (Dwight Good stock)
1.0 Everglades rat snake "Deadpool" (Dwight Good stock)
0.1 Greenish rat snake "Rogue" (Dwight Good stock)
1.0 Great plains rat snake "Reign Fire" (TX locale)
1.0 Grey rat snake "Punisher" (White oak phase)(Dwight Good stock)

Good luck and Happy Herping
Brian