Forest floor substrate

by **Nasicornis** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:17 pm

I am planning a "forest floor". What can I use for a substrate? What are the views on vermerculite?

by **Pythonodipsas** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:35 pm

Hi, I have just recently come across a great product called "Eucalyptus Mulch".

It has hardly any dust (unlike vermiculite), is inexpensive and the slight eucalyptus smell should actually help with respiratory problems.

It looks very natural but has not been tried and tested.

Terence from Pure Venom snake park has been using it for a few months with no problems and the snakes seem to like it alot. They even have the scaless puff adder on it and its skin is still fine and the snake is an eating machine.

Some snakes like my rinkhals like to bury and explore through it. And its far better than garden soil, bark chips and not many microscopic critters like to live in Eucalyptus.

by **Nasicornis** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:39 pm

That sounds great! Where would one get this wonderful stuf and how much does it cost (estimate). I live in Pta.

by **Pythonodipsas** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:55 pm

I found it at Mica hardware but some of the better known, popular nurseries should stock it. I got a big 56 liter bag (bigger than a bag of potting soil) and it cost me R28.

by **armata** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 4:36 pm

Does anyone have a photo of this 'scaleless' puff adder?

The substrate sound good for gaboons and the like.

by **Mongoose** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 4:45 pm

Armata, i have a picture of it, it's on the other computer, as soon as i have acces to it ill upload it!

by **Mongoose** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 5:32 pm

Damien, do you still have the pic of the scaleless puff adder? Upload it please.

by **Nasicornis** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 5:57 pm

Armata and Mongoose. Seeing as you guys are keeping with the topic. Do you know where I can get some scale less puff adders to use as a substrate??? As this seems to be your suggestions and input. ha ha ha

by **Pythonodipsas** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 6:39 pm

LOL - Nasicornis.

..I also want to add that I haven't used it for long enough to gain proper experience. So far things are great, yet I cannot be responsible if it doesn't work for others.

I will try get pics of Rinkhals on/in the substrate.

Armata and Mongoose I can also try go over to Terence this week to get pics of the scaleless puff adder.

by **Spikelet** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 8:03 pm

Please can we have pics of the substrate - sounds very interesting

by **Nasicornis** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 8:04 pm

..I also want to add that I haven't used it for long enough to gain proper experience. So far things are great, yet I cannot be responsible if it doesn't work for others.

What do you expect could go "wrong" (Just as a matter of interest.)

by **Pythonodipsas** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 8:48 pm

I expect nothing to go wrong. I am just being cautious incase someone tries this substrate and their snake ingests it and dies or something.

by **Nasicornis** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 9:06 pm

Pythonodipsas. You are hereby exempt from any harm caused by the alleged substrate and is awarded a get-outta-jail-free card in the event of any bodily harm done.

Can we see the substrate now?

by **Nasicornis** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 9:16 pm

Is this it?

by **Pythonodipsas** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 9:18 pm

LOL LOL - Just make sure you don't eat the stuff.

I am not going to go down to my snake room now and switch on all the lights to get a picture. Patience my friend!! I will try for tomorrow.

Forest floor substrate

Forest floor substrate

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