iHerp Answers: I am wondering what the best substrate is for my python. I have bark free pine and spruce wood shavings. Is that ok or is there something better? (I have other questions also if you could please help)

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Home > iHerp Answers > I am wondering what the best substrate is for my python. I have bark free pine and spruce wood shavings. Is that ok or is there something better? (I have other questions also if you could please help)

I am wondering what the best substrate is for my python. I have bark free pine and spruce wood shavings. Is that ok or is there something better? (I have other questions also if you could please help)

Posted By:

papajake

                Hi there.
I am babysitting a large python and would like to know some specifics about substrate, cleaning methods and products for the cage.... and the snake. she has some minor scale rot because her previous home was too humid . I had a large cage to put her in so I volunteered to take care of her until she's healthy and there is a proper home for her to go to. I would also like to know how strong/weak I should mix the peroxide bath for her (I've been told it helps with scale rot) can you confirm that claim? She is a very beautiful animal and I would like to see her happy again. Please help
PS: she is eating and drinking now but is a little dehydrated still from being in an improper tank (she wasnt drinking for a few days until I brought her home and put her into a bigger cage)

the attached picture shows the scales that are affected by the rot. (total of 23 scales altogether are affected) her belly is clear of any rot, its just her sides.
           My suspicion is that there wasnt enough room in her old home and she couldnt stretch out and shed properly so the dead skin on her rotted the scales underneath... plus too much humidity. I have been applying neosporin daily.

           sorry if the pic of the scale rot isnt great I only have my phone cam... will load better ones later if you want to see better.

Attached Photos:


Points:	150
Topics:	Caging , General Health
Tags:	Bivittatus, General, Health, Molurus, Python, Substrate
Species:	Pythons > Pythons > Python molurus bivittatus
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Assisted Answer

8/3/2010 1:20:19 AM

BirchbarkBoas

I don't know much about scale rot (never dealt with it), but I do know you should NEVER use pine shavings (or pine anything) for snakes. The oils/fumes can kill 'em. There are a ton of different substrates out there that are fine though.

There's the cheap standby - newspaper. No matter what substrate I end up using, I always have a layer of newspaper to line the cage. You can rip pieces of it lengthways and crumple them so the snake can sort of hide underneith it, though I recommend having a flat layer of newspaper underneath to absorb waste. If you have access to a paper shredder that's even better.

I've recently started using carefresh bedding. Got a huge block of it in "natural" as I'm not sure I trust the ultra (is it bleached? no idea). The natural carefresh is basically glorified clumps of newspaper, but it's nice and absorbant and the snakes can tunnel under it if they like.

Repti-bark is common in pet stores. It's okay, looks nice, but pricey.
Aspen snake bedding is probably the most widely used substrate, next to newspaper, in the hobby. Looks nice, but it can be a little expensive for the fine stuff. You can get cheaper aspen marketed toward small animals but it's in larger shavings that seem somewhat sharp. However if you've only got one snake, aspen might be a great choice for you.

Cypress mulch is great too, but maybe not so much if you're dealing with scale rot. Cypress is good for increasing humidity for stubborn shedders, and it looks really nice and natural.

Good luck!

Member Comment

8/3/2010 2:14:27 AM

Jeremys reptiles

just use newspaper for a sick snake, this way it is easier to clean up and wont hurt the snake by poking the eyes or if it was to eat some of the shavings and its body couldnt digest it it would regurgitate which isnt healthy, and best of all its CHEAP =]

Accepted Answer

8/3/2010 7:40:57 AM

Jeffriey

I've always used mainly newspaper for the large Burms and Retics that I've had. It's the most cost effective since you're talking about much larger enclosures. I've used cyprus mulch from time to time. This is probably the best if you want to have a more natural looking enclosure. This is also washable to a certain extent and holds humidity well for snakes and other reptiles that need it. I've tried coconut husks too but that tends to stay too moist longer if it gets wet. Aspen is not a good choice with such large pythons. Once it's wet it will start to mold very quickly and can cause scale rot if you don't notice the moisture. Most of the cages I've had for my large snakes where I've used newspaper have usually kept the proper humidity just from placing the water bowls in strategic locations. If you're dealing with scale rot right now it's best to keep it on newpaper and kept dry until the scale rot sheds out.

Member Comment

8/3/2010 8:05:35 AM

constrictorman

i use fir bark . its the same as the reptibark only at your local plant nursery its the same price for twice as much. they use it for orchid potting mixes.about$ 25.00 for 2 cubic feet verse .9 cubic feet for $18.00. works well with all my pythons and boa.and it will retain moisture when you mist it very well.

Assisted Answer

8/3/2010 9:28:56 AM

Sonja K. Reptiles

In addition to what the others have mentioned, another choice is the red rosin paper that they sell big rolls of at places like Menards/Home Depot. It works better than newspaper for me with those ones that like to ball their newspaper up in the corner of their cage! : )

Assisted Answer

8/3/2010 1:07:00 PM

shellboa

Newspaper or paper towels are the best for dealing with any animal who has issues with the environment.

Member Comment

8/3/2010 2:29:45 PM

treetrunkchris

I just use paper towels, I get em t costco in large quantities for fairly cheap. It's all personal preferance really. I like paper towels over newspaper cause it's alot softer and more absorbant, but newspaper is cheaper. If you do give it a bath just give it a normal warm water bath, if the snke is in a good clean environment it'll heal from that fast, or you can get the wound aid stuff from petco/petsmart or online at beanfarm. If you get aspen shavings go to your local feed store and you can get huge packages of aspen shavings for pretty cheap. It only costs me around $30 a month in paper towels. I use the lysol antibacterial wipes personally, I get the 3 pack of 110cts for $10 at costco also, compared to one 33ct at walmart for $5. Really it's all just personal preference, alot of people like newspaper, alot of people use aspen shavings, alot of people use cyprus mulch. But if your snake has scale rot I would use paper towels or newspaper. Just keep it a little dry, but with water to drink

Assisted Answer

8/4/2010 8:16:01 AM

AAS

If you use any substrate other than paper towels or newspaper then you need to be pretty generous with your cage cleaning with regard to frequency and volume of substrate removed each cleaning. It is commonly believed that "spot cleaning" is sufficient when keeping snakes, but if you've ever seen how widely snake urine spreads and soaks newspaper you quickly realize that spot cleaning substrate (essentially removing only the visible waste and substrate around it) is pitifully insufficient if you want a tidy enclosure. Substrate is a urine sponge.

I use a simple 3% bleach solution in a spray bottle to clean the cages before lining with paper. I've polled some great exotics vets, they all say the same thing, "Nothing beats bleach."

Agree, if you're snake has skin issues, newspaper or paper towels until better.

Member Comment

8/4/2010 3:17:28 PM

CareFRESH

CareFRESH is a safe and comfortable option for your pets. It's made from made from virgin reclaimed cellulose and is all natural, biodegradable and flushable in small quantities. The patented formula is free from dust and contaminants like pine or cedar oils, so it is safe for your small pet. The Ultra is bleached, but completely non-toxic!

Assisted Answer

8/5/2010 3:01:42 PM

Marine

For a sick snake, newspaper is the best to use, esp since it is a large python! A betadine bath once to twice a day will help with scale rot, never use pine or cedar for any reptiles-it is deadly! Later after the python is healthy you can opt to continue using newspaper, contractors paper (bought at Home Depot or Lowes), aspen shavings, or cypress mulch. Also some of the scars on the side, look to be bite wounds, the betadine bath will help with that too! Betadine is an idodine, mix a little a cap full or two with luke warm water (just enough to make the water look like a weak tea), and have the snake soak for 15 to 30 minutes.
As far as cleaning they make commercial cleaning products for reptiles like Natures Chemistry, or a 5% bleach solution, or listerine (can be put in a spray bottle) to clean cages, etc-not the animals. If this is a rescue you have taken in, I would recommend finding a local veterinarian thats is very familiar with reptiles, and get a checkup on him/her.

Carefresh, is not a logical solution for large snakes, as it becomes expensive, and they dont make large enough bags just for a single use. As far as use with smaller snakes, small animals, birds, etc, it works great-just my opinion ;)

Member Comment

1/25/2011 11:39:20 AM

abi21491

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