Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have never used soil before for substrate. Is it good?

And can you plant stuff like grass in it for the snake to hide in?

And will plants remove enough ammonia and nitrogen from the soil that it wouldn't have to be full replaced, just replenished after poop is scooped? Otherwise growing plants in it would seem temporary and futile.

Also, I have heard that Neodesha cages are the BEST, but I cannot find them anywhere, not even online.

?

(I use glass aquariums)

Neodesha is out of business. They turn up frequently in the cage classified section on KS. They're all I use. Excellant cages. Me, I prefer the slide type doors.
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1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
1.0 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
0.1 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

I think soil is pretty bad.

Most plants will not grow because the light level is too low. Soil holds moisture and is a reservoir of opportunistic microorganisms that may infect the snakes. I don't think that soil can handle the unscooped portion of the waste. Some snakes will root around and disturb the soil besides crawling over and damaging plants unless the plants are large and sturdy.

On the other hand, some of the European herpers are supposed to be doing good things with naturalistic setups, but I don't know the details.

I have a vague recollection that Neodesha went out of business some years ago. I didn't pay much attention because I don't like sliding doors, which was the only type that they made.

Vision and Boaphile plastic cages are supposed to be pretty good, though I've never used either. I lean towards the Habitat Systems Limited cages.

Paul Hollander
Habitat Systems Limited web site

I know some people who use soil and plants but the also use several different other substrates in the same terrarium. I have built all my terrariums so I don't have first hand experience but I have heard that Boaphile works pretty well. As for Neodesha; I saw one on e-bay a year or two ago but that is about it.

Mike

Soil works very well, especially for higher humidity snakes.
Plants will grow just fine with whatever light you are using for daytime light. It really doesnt take much to make plants grow. I planted grass once and it does look really cool but gets smashed down and then looks bad.
I use it for my amazons and its always been good for me. I use potted plants so they are easy to remove when changing the dirt.
Just microwave it for awhile before your use it to kill anything that may be in it.

Is this for your kingsnake? If so, read on..

Kings like to hide in substrate and thermoregulate there as well. There are a variety of ways to acheive this. Even layers of newspaper provide a "substrate" that the snake can get into, hide under and thermoregulate in.

I like Eco-Earth and similar coconut fiber-based substrates because it transfers heat nicely in a cage and can be dampened as needed (especially for shed time.) It is largely inert and safe for reptiles. The snake can easily hide in it. You can also place a piece of plastic or plywood on top and the snake will likely hide under that sometimes if it lies under a heat source.