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Substrate.
- Thread starter Sedda
- Start date
dawnrenee2000
Contributing Member
Desert ( dry climate sand based) origined snakes have a different structure to their scales that make this work for them, such as Sand Boas who have very compact scaliation. Corn snakes, and most other colubrids however have a more open , keeled scale design and it is "looser" you could say. Thus such a fine gritty substance can get under those scales and cause irritation. Corn snakes would not do well on sand, and would be much more naturally content on something light , like aspen that they could burrow under.
The ingesting of sand is also a factor that makes it not such a good idea.
The ingesting of sand is also a factor that makes it not such a good idea.
RedRaydin
Jason DeFreitas
Not a lot of snake owners do
Well... I agree on the sand, anything they can crawl and hide under as far as substrate you wouldnt want them to accidentally ingest (such as sand or small particle based substrate). Aspen is good, I used that to start but got sick of cleaning and changing it out. I posted the same type of message as you cause I was curious as far as other options. I asked about astro turf and I never saw anyone who objected. Mys nake has used it now for almost 4 weeks and really seems to like it. Not only does it allow you to view your snake more often but it still gives him freedom (you can still use plenty of hides so he has space to hide away if he doesnt want to be out in the open). Plus its easy to clean, they normally come in packs of two or three so you can rotate out. All I do is when hes soiled it, I take out his hides and cage items and place them aside. Then I take the soiled mat scrub it and place it in a sink full of hot water and bleach and let is soak for a hour or two and then throw it in the dryer. While that one is soaking I just use one of the clean ones to replace it with. I think its a great substrate. If your looking for easier newspaper always works. Couple of layers, don't have to wash or clean, just replace and then wipe down the cage every couple of weeks. Hope this is semi-usual or sounds interesting to try. Take care.
Well... I agree on the sand, anything they can crawl and hide under as far as substrate you wouldnt want them to accidentally ingest (such as sand or small particle based substrate). Aspen is good, I used that to start but got sick of cleaning and changing it out. I posted the same type of message as you cause I was curious as far as other options. I asked about astro turf and I never saw anyone who objected. Mys nake has used it now for almost 4 weeks and really seems to like it. Not only does it allow you to view your snake more often but it still gives him freedom (you can still use plenty of hides so he has space to hide away if he doesnt want to be out in the open). Plus its easy to clean, they normally come in packs of two or three so you can rotate out. All I do is when hes soiled it, I take out his hides and cage items and place them aside. Then I take the soiled mat scrub it and place it in a sink full of hot water and bleach and let is soak for a hour or two and then throw it in the dryer. While that one is soaking I just use one of the clean ones to replace it with. I think its a great substrate. If your looking for easier newspaper always works. Couple of layers, don't have to wash or clean, just replace and then wipe down the cage every couple of weeks. Hope this is semi-usual or sounds interesting to try. Take care.
Weebonilass
New member
Sorry, now that I have watched my 5 yr old discover the joy of burrowing in aspen, I would never take it away. While other things will "work", it's not particularly natural and doesn't allow them to burrow. And it's become obvious to me, thanks to my guy, this is a big part of their nature.
RedRaydin
Jason DeFreitas
Well what works for some works for some. What works for others works for others. Just giving people options. Captivity and nature are kinda two seperate entities in my mind. I figure the hides make up for no aspen. Plus it looks more aesthetic in my mind and I like showing it off to friends. The corn seems to like it... But as said before it depends on the person and their beliefs and preferences. As long as the snake is comfortable and healthy thats all that really matters.
Weebonilass
New member
That's very true. I've not used the astroturf for my guy. It sounds one heck of a lot more labour intensive than cleaning out bedding, but if it floats your boat... I do believe I've used just about every other thing on the market in the five years I've owned him.
He's always had plenty of hiding spots, but he's never been one to hide. Since moving to the aspen, he's constantly burrowinng and re-creating tunnels through out the viv. He pops his head out if he "hears" me near his place, but he stays "underground" most of the time now. Considering that at 5, he's not a youngster, for me, this means I was not providing something that he wanted, even if he didn't know it at the time.
My horse could stand in a stall 23/7 too and get by, but it's not natural and eventually, we'd probably both pay for it, him more than me. A snake is a burrowing creature by nature and my goal is to give him as close to a natural home as possible. I thought I was doing it before, but apparently aspen is a lot more fun than soil type substrates
He's always had plenty of hiding spots, but he's never been one to hide. Since moving to the aspen, he's constantly burrowinng and re-creating tunnels through out the viv. He pops his head out if he "hears" me near his place, but he stays "underground" most of the time now. Considering that at 5, he's not a youngster, for me, this means I was not providing something that he wanted, even if he didn't know it at the time.
My horse could stand in a stall 23/7 too and get by, but it's not natural and eventually, we'd probably both pay for it, him more than me. A snake is a burrowing creature by nature and my goal is to give him as close to a natural home as possible. I thought I was doing it before, but apparently aspen is a lot more fun than soil type substrates
Eremita
and cats...
I like the absorbent characteristics of aspen, it's like clumping litter for snakes, and it smells decent too. My hatchling spends almost all of his time buried in it somewhere, sometimes under a hide, often just under some apparently random section of substrate, so I would agree that he seems pretty keen on it.
-Sean
-Sean
RedRaydin
Jason DeFreitas
All very true, and very natural. I guess I got into it as a pet because I enjoyed actually being able to see it out and about and as long as you have a lot of area where it can feel dark and secluded I don't see it hurting anything. It's a very mellow snake and non-tempermental, enjoys being held and actually likes my presence or my gf. We put our finger on the glass and it will trace along and follow it and when I put my hand in it will crawl right onto my hand. I agree while aspen looks more natural and may give the snake more of its typical environment, I think it can adapt well to any of the other things. Pet stores and herps wouldn't put it on the list of bedding for no reason. Not being defensive, just saying it can work for corns, and if you got into the pet as one you'd actually like to see every now and then yet still provide it seclusion and hides then astroturf could be right for you. Got my two cents in plenty now though so that's my worth.
RedRaydin
Jason DeFreitas
"remember, this post is about sand, not aspen and astroturf, apparently sand can get stuck in the nostrils and allsorts of other places."
While a good point... isn't this is a discussion forum? I've seen hundreds of threads that sway topics. Sorry if I got so far off task, I was just giving other options that I've tried and have worked for me. I know plenty of others that I see doing that in here. I'm done though, I know people got to be sick of reading me posting in this thread by now. Sorry if a little defensive.
While a good point... isn't this is a discussion forum? I've seen hundreds of threads that sway topics. Sorry if I got so far off task, I was just giving other options that I've tried and have worked for me. I know plenty of others that I see doing that in here. I'm done though, I know people got to be sick of reading me posting in this thread by now. Sorry if a little defensive.
Weebonilass
New member
connord94 said:
Actually, it was about a person trying to decide what substrate to use. Sand is a definite no-no and the others are choices instead of the sand. I went for years without aspen and never knew the joys of watching my snake "play" in his bedding, so I'm a bit gungho on the aspen.
Red, my guy was also bought simply as a pet because I enjoyed my daughter's snake so much. And I had absolutely NO - NONE - ZITCH interest in breeding until I found this silly board
I'm still not convinced that I would end up with 60 hatchlings that refuse to eat.... but the idea of babies is more appealing than before