Subtrate??HELP PLEASE

[JspecR6]

Okay I got a few replies and suggestions on what to use as a subtrate for my Ball python, but I went to the local pet store(s) and tried finding some suitable ones and didn't come up with anything too good. I know not to use CEDAR chips and I was using paper (news print) but i heard that with a undertank heater it could burn it or atleast i've heard stories of that? My under tank heater is pretty hot but not uncomfortably hot to the touch. AT the pet store(s) I seen "Repti-Bark" and other stuff like coconut bark ect.... Different sands and stuff you soak in water to make it expand etc.... I went to home depot and got some outdoor carpet something like astro turf, But it has a rubberized bottom to it and when i tried to wash it after Irwyn took a big dump and the rubberized bottom kinda flakes. One thing I don't like about theh stuff , is my Snake keeps going underneath it and just stays there and i don't think the rubber flakes are good for him? What I would like to do is mimic his natural habitat and I read that they live in grass lands of Africa? What would the Ultamate subtrate be?They even have fake grass that starts to grow real grass? But Isn't to much moisture and humidity would NOT be good for him? DOesn't that cause stomach rot or something?Thanks in advance and please let me know what you are using as a subtrate.
JspecR6 [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif[/img]
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[LdyDrgn]

Hiya! Welcome to RTB!!!

ok, I personally use astro turf for my snakes that don't require super high humidity. If you have a hide on each end of the enclosure, your Royal should not be burrowing underneath the turf. And as far as cleaning the turf, I hope you are washing it in a 10% bleach solution and then rinsing it off well and allowing to dry outside in the sun. With newspaper, you need to lay down about 7 layers over the heat pad. Other suitable substrates would be aspen shavings or cypress mulch (Forest Floor Bedding by ZooMed) but you would still need some newspaper over the heat pad because he may want to burrow into the substrate. You are correct that cedar is bad. So is pine, not as strong as cedar but still not good! Just remember to feed outside the enclosure if you go with a loose substrate....

Their environment isn't as dry as you would think, either. You will need to have the humidity up a bit or he will have shedding problems. I use a pile of sphagnum moss in a corner and keep it damp by spraying it well everday. My Royals will sleep on the moss or burrow into it when it gets close to shedding. Good luck with yours!! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
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[snaklover]

i use newspaper for mine and i layer it on thick to protect them from the heat. and it has done real well for them all these years. and it is inexpensive. as far as humidity i keep a large tupper ware bowl in between the cold side and warm. the humidity level does real well with out much misting from me. and they like to lay in that warm water. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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[XzyluM]

Welcome to RTB. There is many different things you can use for substrate. Newspaper and paper towels aren't to decorative or fancy, but they work very good. Like Michelle uses, Astroturf is good and is very easy to clean. You could use Aspen or Cypress Mulch. Don't use any type of sand. And your right, Cedar is toxic, so don't use that for anything.
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[slaponte]

For now, my three babies are on newspaper. Definetly layered several times over the UTH. Enough that I can lay the back of my hand on it and leave it there a couple of minutes without any discomfort. I can feel warmth.

Later I plan to go to Forrst Bed which is what I use with the Boas. It is easy to spary every now and then and holds humidity well.

I like the idea of the moss, Ldy! I have to try that.
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