Reptile & Amphibian Forums

whats the best substrate for something like a northern water snake? would small rocks be ok, like the kind at the bottom of a goldfish tank? and are they alergic to any particular substrates?

thanks

Problem with small rocks or gravel is that they dont absorb the waste and can be swallowed while feeding (esp gravel) its not a good substrate to use at all.
Aspen shavings are good or some like me like jungle mix or jungle litter which is soil with moss and orchid bark some prefer cyprus mulch ,coconut fiber, orchid bark mixed with sand.
You have lots of good choices other than gravel,small rocks. In the end its a big pain to clean (I know I used it yrs ago when I started out ) . Garden stores also carry soil without any chemicals,fertilizer and cypruss mulch . If your not concerned about a natural look than I think aspen shavings are great but if you want it more natural the other choices might be more to your liking.