Leaf Litter from outside a good/cheap subtrate?

[Trouser_snake]

Hi, kinda new here and this could have been already addressed, although couldn't find anything under "search". I was reading that in the wild, corn snakes are found in "leaf litter" ...and I was assuming then that "collecting and sterilizing leaf litter" could be a good substrate. I was just wondering what you thought of this....

 

[Lennycorn]

How do you plan on sterilizing leaves. Boiling them??
Just go out and support your local pet store and buy some aspen.
And use the extra time with your snake.

 

[PtDnsr]

I'm not sure that I would go this way for substrate, I prefer aspen like many others on this forum. If you were set on collecting from the wild it would need to be sanitized somehow. I believe either baking in the oven (which I don't believe would be best with dry leaves) or freezing for a few days would be the best way to do this. Then again I'm still not positive it would kill all the creepy-crawlies that could hurt your snake.

~Katie

 

[shrimply]

Microwaving is a good way to kill off all the nasties and less likely to effect the leaves. As it happens I had the exact same thought the other day. At the moment though I think I will stick to beech chips. This is what I would attempt but being in the UK the bugs aren't as used to weather extremes so they are easier to get rid of.

 

[Slippery Ernie]

I wouldn't microwave them. I tried this with a small branch and it caught fire very quickly. :flames:

 

[meycom]

Aspen

The aspen we buy seems pretty cheap and goes a long way..
don't know if I would use anything else.

 

[cimckee]

If you steralize it, I don't see why you shouldn't use. It could add some character to your viv. Just as a friendly "heads up", when you use a dark substrate, you have to look pretty hard for the snake's poop. Other than that, it could be fun. Good Luck

 

[BeckyG]

If you do manage to sterilize it somehow, you will need to make sure the leaves have never been exposed to any chemicals--insecticides, fertilizers, etc, as these could also harm your snake. I think it's safer to use aspen, and cheaper in the long run if your snake were to catch anything from outside leaves. Vet bills cost a whole lot more than aspen from the pet store.

 

[MegF.]

On a side note. If you microwave, you need to wet them first. I microwave all branches that I find, and they just steam, not burn. You would need to do quite a few leaves to fill your viv too.

 

[shrimply]

Yeah what Meg said. I am sorry to cause confusion. You just don't get dry leaves at this time of year here.lol

As I said before microwaving does work really well. I maybe wouldn't cover the whole viv but a pile of leaves might add extra enrichment and make a really cheap natural hide i am sure they would love.

 

[Trouser_snake]

Wow, thanks for all the input everyone..much appreciated! I like the "wet leaves in the microwave" idea or maybe "boil" the leaves in a big pot, or maybe just stick with the aspen.. I'm still undecided - I'm trying to go for a natural setting in the viv. Thanks again everyone...If i go with the natural setting leaves I'll let you all know and post some pics!

 

[Trouser_snake]

Wow, thanks for all the input everyone..much appreciated! I like the "wet leaves in the microwave" idea or maybe "boil" the leaves in a big pot, or maybe just stick with the aspen.. I'm still undecided - I'm trying to go for a natural setting in the viv. Thanks again everyone...If i go with the natural setting leaves I'll let you all know and post some pics!