FAQ:Best substrate for pythons

[Reptilian]

thanx ashliegh, it does look good, ya can get green, brown etc whatever colour ya want...lol and its easy to clean, just chuck it in the washing machine every week...

Ash...

[SlothHead]

Just reading through a few of the posts, some really good ideas out there,

However, like the recent one i have seen a couple of people saying that they use towels.

I would highly disagree with this. Towels are play grounds for bacteria, they are designed to soak up water and that is exactly what they do.

Thus, you put a moist towel in to a warm environment and you got germ city.

You may have no problems, but it is definitely a harbour for germs and would most likely lead directly to recpiratory infection,

Cheers

D

[snakegal]

Anything that soaks up water is a breeding ground for bacteria. Paper towel/newspaper included. Bottom line is if the towel is changed when dirty there shouldn't be an issue, as long as the towel goes in dry in the first place. I can't see how this is any different to newspaper or paper towel.

Put anything moist in a warm environment and you get germ city. JMO

Just reading through a few of the posts, some really good ideas out there,

However, like the recent one i have seen a couple of people saying that they use towels.

I would highly disagree with this. Towels are play grounds for bacteria, they are designed to soak up water and that is exactly what they do.

Thus, you put a moist towel in to a warm environment and you got germ city.

You may have no problems, but it is definitely a harbour for germs and would most likely lead directly to recpiratory infection,

Cheers

D

[slim6y]

Anything that soaks up water is a breeding ground for bacteria. Paper towel/newspaper included. Bottom line is if the towel is changed when dirty there shouldn't be an issue, as long as the towel goes in dry in the first place. I can't see how this is any different to newspaper or paper towel.

Put anything moist in a warm environment and you get germ city. JMO

didn't you know bacteria can't read so they don't use newspapers hehe...

I would say anything that absorbs moisture, as you say snakegal, would be a medium to breed unwanted bacteria and thus lower the overall health of your snake. On saying that, cleanliness is next to godliness (hehe) and keeping your tank clean keeps it free of nasty jimmy germs...

[reptic]

Granite.
But is a pain to clean.
Newspaper is easiest to clean.

[BiteAndSqueeze]

I don't understand why everyone is so concerned about cleaning. My snakes live on gravel which was originally used in a fish tank. I cleaned it before putting in with the snakes but they have lived happily on the gravel for a couple of years. I just scoop out the poo and it is far more attractive than paper or mod grass.

[shamous1]

Regardless of what substrate you use even if you scoop it out the poo can still remain between the gravle and there for the potential to have a little colony of nasties running around causing possibly unseen harm to your self or your snake is real. JMO

I would still be cleaning the gravel and washing every few weeks to be sure. Once again JMO

[jkrakka]

biteandsquees what do you do when your snake pee's how do you clean it if you have fish gravel do you take all the gravel out then clean it

[shamous1]

Let's the pee pool up at the bottom in a mess?????/////

[jkrakka]

that dont sound like much fun for the snake

[croc_hunter_penny]

there are so many options! we have been using newspaper but i kinda like the sound of marine carpet or even the shade cloth, as we have glass-bottomed tanks too. newspaper sure is easy to clean up but sure doesn't do much for looks....

[shamous1]

I think if you like the look of marine grade carpet, can afford it and have the time to clean it then go for what works. I guess it comes down to what looks good, affordability and cleanable

[richard70au]

Well I found that at my local bunnings they have out door carpet, I got the finer bristle style.

I guess maybe price will vary from store to store but I payed $18/M and it has done the job fine.

Just my opinion anyway.

Cheers,

Richard