Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is there anything besides newspaper that works well and doesn't give indigos scute fungus?

Stu,

You can also use indented craft paper. Avoid using particulate substrates with Dry's. Clean dry newspaper is best.

Alan B

Why do you want to avoid using a substrate like aspen? I've just started keeping Indigos, and I have mine on aspen. Should I switch? (I really am not a fan of newspaper).

The main reason is cleanliness. Indigos have watery stools and spot cleaning aspen is tough. And they defecate so often you would be changing out the aspen every couple days. Much more convenient and hygienic to just use newspaper. Indigos need to be kept clean and dry because they are susceptible to skin problems. However, when they are in shed, I give mine a box full of damp sphagnum moss. They love the stuff.
One more reason to stay clear of aspen with indigos - they are such aggressive feeders they would inadvertantly swallow lots of the aspen.

I keep mostly kings, milks and hogs. I keep them all on aspen. When I got this Texas indigo I put him on aspen too. He soon developed some kind of fungus between his scales. I was advised to put him on newspaper which I did and he cleaned up in 2 sheds! I'm just not a fan of paper mainly foe aesthetic reasons. That's why I'm just looking for something else but will stick with newspaper if that's the best for my indigo.

np

I agree with the issue of swallowing the substrate with Indigos, they are aggressive feeders & messy snakes with mushy stools & having tried all types of bedding over the years, aspen, coconut fiber, corn cob granules i found the cleanest & easiest is some sort of paper.

I use 18" rolls of butcher paper or craft paper on a cutter & just cut them to size as required.

Another problem with beddings is they harbor mites, mold, bacteria etc. The only snakes i keep on aspen are burrowing sand & rubber boas, all the rest are on paper.

When the Indigos are in shed i put a damp cloth or small hand towel under the hide box & spray it every couple of days, i have a pack of workshop cloths that i got from home depot for this purpose, then just wash & re use them.

Andy.

It's me.....bob...... I keep all my drys on paper..... I've a. Real horror story regarding aspen and drys..... But I hesitate to post it ..... Gimme a call or personal email......
Yo youse guyz I'm still alive.....

I've switched lately to cypress mulch to maintain humidity. Dry layer on top of damp. They seem to really like it. I'd like to hear the horror story about aspen. I don't want to kill these guys.

I keep a DAMP....not WET..... Hide box in my enclosures......my snakes have a definite daily schedule...... Come out ..... Bask..... Crap ..... Back in the box.....

I do the same. My problem is, I have 1-2 that refuse to stay on top of the paper, even with proper hides provided. More often than not, they hide under the butcher paper and end up messing under there every other time as well. Is there any solution to this?

My only thought was cutting the butcher paper into 2 smaller sheets. Wouldn't solve the hide problem, but would make it easier to clean rather than yanking the 4 foot sheet every time they decide they want to finger paint with their stool.

You could try taping the perimeter done......then put a second sheet on top of the bottom paper...... But.....you don't want them to get into"A STICKY SITUATION".... With the tape make sure it's done flat on the edges and corners

I did that once with a Indian cobra...and it wasn't a fun thing trying to get it unstuck from all of the tape!!