Ball Python Substrate?

[ghoti]

Normally I get Aspen shavings as substrate (the ZooMed type that milksnakes love)... and I use that. Either that or (when I can get it) ... coconut husk.

I bought 4 packets of the cheap aspen only to see that its more aspen chips than shavings. The kinda stuff you normally see mice living in. On the label on the front it says "low dust animal bedding". Now I know the chips have a little dust so I am very worried about that. Is this bedding bad for a ball python? I have made sure there is very little dust, but I notice my ball python is sitting with half his body on his hide rather than his full body on the substrate. Now I just moved him into that habitat so Im not sure if this is normal behaviour or if he doesnt like the substrate. Normally my ball pythons just sit on top of the heating bad and chills. This one seems to prefer sitting on top of its main hide than by the heating pad.

Now I dont know if its cause he doesnt like the substrate or if he really likes the view.

[Tyronen]

I would tend to avoid a substrate like Aspen Shaving for my reptiles. Newspaper is one of the best, cheap and easy to clean. Been using it for years without any problems.

[BRB]

I prefer coco chips, very absorbent and easy to spot clean, holds humidity well.

[Athlordian]

Newspaper is one of the best, cheap and easy to clean. Been using it for years without any problems.

I completely agree! I used to keep our entire ball python collection on coconut husk, but recently (a few months ago) changed to newspaper. Cleaning really has become a breeze, because you can literally rip out and bin the soiled newspaper, spray the tub with an F10SC solution, wipe it dry, put in more newspaper and you're done.

Also, since changing the substrate, there's been a DEFINITE improvement in our collection's eating habits and their over-all feeding response. We now have way less problem feeders on newspaper, than we had on coconut husk. There's also no risk of them accidentally ingesting a piece of substrate while eating, should you choose to feed in the enclosure it's kept in.