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73164
Hi Ann!
Cage carpeting is like plastic grass, a bit like what you find on those roll-out golf putting mats. It is natural looking, which makes it aesthetic, and it is easy to clean by some rinsing and scrubbing, so it is generally reuseable. However, it is synthetic, and that is what some keepers feel should be avoided. You can try it though. It is sold usually in common sizes, but can be bought in rolls too or in a custom-cut size, I believe. It should be available at most pet stores, but may be a bit pricey.
For other substrates, you can try stuff like woodchip (not sawdust!). It is natural-looking and quite absorbent. It may be pricey though. But don't use some woods like pine, because these have poisonous resins and oils. Only choose those specially made and meant for herps. Sawdust should be avoided because it may be inhaled by your snake and cause respiratory problems. Alfafa pellets, which are actually rabbit food, are simple, cheap, plentiful and non-poisonous. They are also quite absorbent. If your woodchip or alfafa pellet gets wet or stained, you can easily remove the damp part, without having to replace the whole substrate.
That is a disadvantage of the popular newpaper. I suppose you have in idea of its merits. Virtually free, plentiful and absorbent. You won't spend a bomb on it, like some other substrates, but of course it is not aesthetic. Paper towels as they are are fine, but they get wet fast, so you might have to keep changing the substrate to keep the place dry, just like newpaper.
Balls and corns are basic snakes with little special substrate requirements, so something like the above is usually fine for either of them.
Anyhow, this is just a basic breakdown, you can always experiment around and find something which suits you and that you like. All the best!
[addsig]
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