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Sand as a substrate

El Guapo

El Guapo

New member
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While searching for opinions and facts about using sand as a substrate I had to go thru lots of treads to find the information I was really looking for. The idea of using sand is all but irresistible to some, maybe most. Who doesn't like the idea of a beautiful backround color to contrast with beautiful snake. Personally I'm using aspen, they LOVE it, cant argue with that. The big fear with sand is impaction, I'm no Vet but basically for those who searching it means it clogs up their bowls,and if I'm wrong PLEASE correct me, it's all about correct information. Personally if you don't feed your snake in its terrarium I don't see this as a problem,unless you fill it up to where they might try burrowing into it.
So, tell us what you know, what experience's have you had, good or bad.
Everybody simply says USE ASPEN, If we don't like the idea of something else,WHY?

Who's First?
 
I was wondering what to use - on here Aspen is highly recommended it seems so I was going to go with that, but then someone advised me not to get Aspen as their snake got a respiratory problem which cost them £100's at the vets, caused by their aspen supposedly.
What do you do with such conflicting opinions?

That said when 10 people say do this and one person says don't, I guess I'm going to listen to the majority opinion.
 
Reasons not to use sand:

-Risk of impaction.
-Sand gets under the scales and irritates the snake.
-Sand would surely be really annoying for the keeper... sand just gets everywhere! In your clothes, in the carpet, under your fingernails... :rolleyes:
-I don't think it is the best for corns to burrow in... like I said, the whole under-the-scales thing.
-Where I live at least, sand is very expensive compared to aspen.
-Sand may get in the water bowls, etc etc...
-And also I don't know how sand would absorb heat... maybe it would get too hot, or not enough?

Sure, sand looks nice, but visual appeal is the LAST thing on my list of priorities... comfort for the animals and ease of maintenance should be the first things you think of.

I expect some people will find faults in my little list up there but hey, that's just my opinions. I don't think sand is a good idea at all.
 
In the wild, Corns generally live inland, in damp shady conditions. They don't come into contact with a pure sand ground covering as a rule, so some sort of wood litter (non-resinous) is as near as you'll get to their natural conditions. In the US, aspen is the most readily available wood substrate, in the UK it's beech chips.

With sand, impaction can happen at any time. Corns open their mouths other than to eat (realigning jaws after eating, gaping to loosen skin at the start of a shed) and fine particles can be inhaled during breathing. It can clog nostrils and eyes, get trapped under scales and cause irritation that leads to infection... Corns just aren't designed to live in sand in the way that some other reptiles are.

Also, Corns don't like an arid atmosphere, which makes sand unsuitable. Not saying that you need to keep them in overly-humid conditions, but sand will dry out an atmosphere no end whereas wood litter is better at maintaining a low level of humidity.

Plus sand isn't even mentioned in Kathy Love's book as a substrate, which is good enough for me.
 
I've tried a lot of different things when I was first starting out (and before I found this site). I tried sand. It did get everywhere - under the scales, stuck to eyes, in the water bowl, etc., and I'm sure he swallowed some even though I feed seperately. Sand is bad news. I like the look of sand, but would never use it again. I use to use aspen, but have been using unbleached papertowels recently since I have so many snakes. I'm going to be getting new cages soon, and will probably switch back to aspen. It really does work the best.
 
Here's an idea you dont see often with snakes - using tile as a substrate. Fancy ceramic, cheap but nice plastic, or even slate tile. It will give you a nice background color without the risks, however the snakes will loose the chance to burrow which I feel is a definate drawback since burrowing is often such a large part of what they do. You also have to be extremely carefull when heating, as the tiles will conduct the heat. I've used tile for a ball python and I really liked it, it just became very difficult because he kept tipping his waterdish over and the water would seep through the cracks so I had to remove everything to dry it off underneath.

Dont use sand, its looks isnt worth it. Absolutely do not use any of that ingestable sand (like calci-sand), that stuff should not be sold just like hot rocks shouldnt; its way too dangerous. I believe Carefresh (a recycled newspaper product) comes in a few different colors now besides gray, its a bit more expensive but it might be worth taking a look at. Also, instead of changing the substrate what about putting up a background on the sides and back of the cage to fancy it up a bit?
 
I think the primary purpose of the viv 'decor' is to provide the snake with an environment that is as safe and natural as possible...a secondary consideration might be esthetics pleasing to the keeper.

Bitsy said...
In the wild, Corns generally live inland, in damp shady conditions. They don't come into contact with a pure sand ground covering as a rule, so some sort of wood litter (non-resinous) is as near as you'll get to their natural conditions.
Click to expand...
Sand is pretty, though. I hear sand boas love it. ;)
 
Lots of good information, I've had a piece of slate on the warm side of the tank for four snakes now. I'll catch them basking on it or the rocks I have there.Picked them up at a aquatics store and I saw some at Daytona a couple of weeks ago. Also has anybody used granite or marble its not all smooth as glass and looks just as nice as sand if not nicer.As for those who still want to use sand, you just have to remember, you're taking care of a snake not a terrarium, please put them first. :wavey:
 
El Guapo said:
I've had a piece of slate on the warm side of the tank for four snakes now. I'll catch them basking on it or the rocks I have there.
<snip>

you just have to remember, you're taking care of a snake not a terrarium, please put them first. :wavey:
Click to expand...


Is it just me, or does anyone else see the irony in this statement?
 
Ahhhhh!!!!!!
Don't Cohabitate!
It stresses the snakes at the very least!!!
:bang: :bang: :bang:
Should I look up and post the threads on cohabing?
 
There is nothing at all mean about it. Ok, maybe a little teasing, but not outright meanness.

I love word plays and the irony of your above statement just couldn't be passed up.

El Guapo said:
Lots of good information, I've had a piece of slate on the warm side of the tank for four snakes now. I'll catch them basking on it or the rocks I have there.Picked them up at a aquatics store and I saw some at Daytona a couple of weeks ago. Also has anybody used granite or marble its not all smooth as glass and looks just as nice as sand if not nicer.As for those who still want to use sand, you just have to remember, you're taking care of a snake not a terrarium, please put them first.
Click to expand...

I've highlighted the parts I find ironic. The top statement seems to imply that you have four snakes in one tank. Cohabiting snakes is not putting them first. Snakes are solitary creatures. They don't need company, and four kept together in such close quarters is very stressful to them. Please, for your snakes' sake, really do put them first and get each one his own tank.
 
OK,OK, thank you for explaining my boo boo. No I don't have four snake in a cage. I've used it on four different occasions over many years for many years, I've used on two rat snakes (yellow and grey) and a BP, all housed individually. I also have some very pretty rock I found in South Carolina I used for a Tangerine Honduran. I no longer have any of these snakes but have both stone pieces I use for my newly acquired Corns, and yes I sanitize them, I soak them in bleach, no just kidding, I just boil then freeze them. Anywayz thanks for the clarification I still feel like an ars. :wavey:
 
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