Aspen shavings

[tehbookwyrm]

Does anyone know about the effects of Aspen Shavings as subtrate? Can it be harmful if the snake ingests from of the fibers while eating?

[telefrag]

ingesting large quantities is very likely harmful, im not aware of any bona fide cases of small amounts causing an impactation.

I like aspen, its what i've been using for many years and have not had any notable ill effects from using it.

[tehbookwyrm]

I asked for a very good reason. I am sad and almost ashamed to admit this, but another snake died on us.
My boyfriend bought a Rosy Boa about a month ago, after his Solomon Island died. The solomon had good reason to die, he had serious internal injuries from before he came to us. The Rosy, I don't know.
I left the state for two weeks, to visit some family in CA during my break in school. My boyfriend called me on Saturday to tell me the Rosy was dead. He had started using aspen shavings for substrate because the guys at the pet shop told him to. He fed her, and she ate some of the substrate, but I guess only one or two of the fibres, she died the next day.
We had had her for a month-ish and she hadn't shed yet, when we purchased her they told us in the three months they had her she didn't shed, but her eyes were blue so he went ahead and got her.
I really don't know what to do, he so dearly wants a herp, but after two deaths I almost feel like it would be animal cruelty to get another. I do not think it was his fault, but I can't figure out what is going on.

[telefrag]

Im sorry to hear about that, but one day on aspen wont kill a snake, and if the amount was that small, it would of taken weeks or months for an impactation to run its course.

something else was wrong with it, but the only way to know would be a necropsy.
whatever it was, it most likely had it before you brought it home.

[tehbookwyrm]

Yeah, we did a necropsy on the Solomon, but we can't afford $300 for one since I just paid for my tuition the week before. I guess it's just bad luck.

[telefrag]

did both snakes come from the same place?

[tehbookwyrm]

No, Solomon came from a local shop. Rosy came from a Petco. He is heart broken, and I don't know what to do for him.

[telefrag]

well, i'd completely bleach and sterlize all the cage material you had, and maybe wait a little while and find someone locally like a breeder, or a show and get something hardy.. cal king, bullsnake, something like that.
sol island boas are not a entry level animal, despite being inexpensive and available.

it happens, I dont think any of us here have not lost a snake before.

I've lost my share as well, from all sorts of different causes.

[tehbookwyrm]

There's a show that comes through Salem, Or every once in a while. Breeder from the NW. It's kind of a cool event. We haven't gone there yet because, well, he does like to wait, and the show is never around when we lose one.