Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've read posts by Reptileguy many times mention how well paper towels work for Pacman substrate. I like the idea of something more natural, but it sounds like paper towels will be much cleaner.

My question: How do I set up the towels? I'm guessing make a thick layer, about 3 inches. Do I want it to be soaked? Or just damp? Also, I would still want to have a water dish in there, right?
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1.0.0 Pixie Frog
0.0.1 African Dwarf Frog
0.0.1 Firebelly Toad
0.0.1 Firebelly Newt
2.0.3 Florida Bark Scorpions
0.0.1 Emperor Scorpion
1.0.0 Flatrock Scorpion
1.1.0 African Giant Millipedes
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0.0.1 Chilean Rosehair Tarantula
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Grunngg@yahoo.com

There are many posts on this, just read a few, he pretty much tells you exactly how to set it up. But just to recap, have a few layers and have it damp enough so that when you tip the tank, water collects at the lower end. I tried this out for a while, but my frog didn't like it very much (or at least thats what it looked like, he was pining at the walls for a day and wouldn't eat). Plus its more asthetically appealing to have a natural habitat obviously. Also my personal opinion is that paper towels are physically healthier because they are sanitary/easy to manage/can't be ingested, but I'm a strong proponent of emotional health. I feel that animals live longer and are less susceptible to disease when unstressed, and even though reptile guy's critters acclimated well to paper towels, my frog seemed really stressed out in that environment. Just my two cents though, I have no prior frog experience really.

that was probably the best and most respectful oppostition to me (or anyone else) i have ever heard, used the actual evidence to support an opposing viewpoint, many people just say, "reptileguy, you are full of crap, my frogs have been on (insert anything besides wet paper towels here) for many years and they are perfectly fine". so thank you for that.

in general animals are stressed when put into a new home and hanging on the walls is usually just trying to escape/test the limits and boundaries of the enclosure, something every animal does in a new enclosure for a few days until they realize they arent going anywhere. we have now switched the pacmans over to wet paper towels at my work (pet shop) and they seem much happier. the tiny one is eating great when i think in general(on other beddings) he would have refused food and not thrived as well as he does now. we usually have to clean them out everyday, which i usually didnt have to do with mine at home. this may have to do with them getting mainly crickets instead of pinkies and goldfish like mine did. i think once they relax on it, which may take a few days, they are just as happy on wet paper towels as anything else. this shows them off to customers better, instead of looking at a tank of dirt with a water bowl in it, they see this really cool frog. the fact that the paper towels are white is a huge factor. it bluntly shows off any waste in the tank, requiring the owner/caregiver to clean it. with something like bed-a-beast the poop is well hidden, and the urine is invisible, meaning he sits in it for who knows how long until it is cleaned. they have been needing to be cleaned everyday, not because they are on paper towels, but because they are dirty. they make the same amount of waste whether they are on paper towels or dirt, its just that on paper towels you can see how dirty they are and when they need to be cleaned. that is i think one of the most important benefits of wet paper towels. health is the most important thing, and this includes mental health, and in my opinion wet paper towels are the healthiest thing for them.

I agree with reptile guy about the paper towels- the frogs will get used to it after a time and its just as good as other substrates. The only problem with paper towels is like reptile guy stated--they have to be changed OFTEN. Let your nose be your guide. You can't see how often the frog pees in the paper towel, and when the ammonia levels build up this can be bad for the frog. You need to use a layer of about 5 to 8 sheets; I like bounty towels because they hold the water really well. On the bottom layer I use a handi-wipe; this keeps the frog from digging too far in the wet towel so he winds up sitting on the glass. The handi-wipe is a bit tougher than the towel and can hold up to his digging.

usually the paper towels turn a yellowish color within a couple days, if not one day, so you shouldnt smell it before you can see it. if you can smell it the paper towels already have more ammonia in them then should have been allowed. i dont really think it is a bad thing that they have to be cleaned so often, it is a good thing. they are making the same amount of waste on wet paper towels as they would on anything else, except on the wet paper towels it is more noticable, so you tend to clean it more often, which means their habitat stays cleaner and they should do better.