Substrate Question

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Ben_StKilda

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As I wait for my license to arrive I've been doing my research (this weekend I'm going to visit a couple of reptile sellers).

In the book "Keeping & Breeding Australian Pythons" it's mentioned a suitable substrate for a stimmies is marine gravel or newspaper. I'm keen to read people's thoughts on this and what you use as well.

Thanks
 
Newspaper is probably the best and most common used substrate there is.
Marine gravel is fine and of course can be reused after cleaning.

Plenty of options out there it really is a matter of individual choice.
 
Newspaper is probably the best and most common used substrate there is.
Marine gravel is fine and of course can be reused after cleaning.

Plenty of options out there it really is a matter of individual choice.

Really? I just assumed it would be best to use something the animal would normally have in it's native habitat which is why I ask.
 
I do use coco-fibre for those snakes over six months, to let them express their burrowing behaviour as they would in the wild. Paper towel is best up till six months since it holds humidity well and babies need that.
 
Really? I just assumed it would be best to use something the animal would normally have in it's native habitat which is why I ask.

Yes really.
There are plenty of worse things you could use.
Many who dont use newspaper only avoid it because of its appearance. Nothing at all wrong with it.
 
I use the paper kitty litter pellets from Woolworth . Great for cleaning up and cheap enough. The only thing with it is , I don’t feed my womas inside he’s enclosure as when he wraps around a rat he would more then likely grab a lot of kitty litter substrate with it and that’s some thing I would like to avoid. As for my diamond and spotted they get fed when there on there perch high above the substrate so there’s no chance of eating any..


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I would be hesitant to use any type of gravel unless it is calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate will break down in the snakes gut and not cause any impaction issues. Normal aquarium gravel will not do this and could cause some serious impaction.
 
I would be hesitant to use any type of gravel unless it is calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate will break down in the snakes gut and not cause any impaction issues. Normal aquarium gravel will not do this and could cause some serious impaction.

I looked into using calcium carbonate some years ago.
Make your own judgement but there is heaps of information available on the products available. Not something I would ever use


https://www.herpcenter.com/reptile-articles/calcium-sand-dangers/
http://www.moonvalleyreptiles.com/enclosures/top-5-worst-reptile-substrates
https://www.aussiepythons.com/forum/threads/wild-crystal-substrate-for-snakes.169554/
 
I use paper towel in the click clack and Woolworths recycled paper cat litter for my adult.
 
I looked into using calcium carbonate some years ago.
Make your own judgement but there is heaps of information available on the products available. Not something I would ever use


https://www.herpcenter.com/reptile-articles/calcium-sand-dangers/
http://www.moonvalleyreptiles.com/enclosures/top-5-worst-reptile-substrates
https://www.aussiepythons.com/forum/threads/wild-crystal-substrate-for-snakes.169554/
I should have added that I wouldn't use it. It is just that when I saw 'marine gravel' I pictured somebody getting a standard aquarium gravel which would obviously (to an experienced keeper) would pose a serious risk which a newcomer may not realise.
 
I use paper towel in the click clack and Woolworths recycled paper cat litter for my adult.
Exactly what we've done with ours.
There's nothing wrong with any of the suggestions thus far, Ben. You can decide what you want to use, natural look or easy cleaning. But if you use a click clack, go with the paper towel.
 
I use critter crumble only because I bought 10bags at 10$ each, mainly because I like the look of it :) but I also use paper towel for my baby in click clack and have no problems, takes 20seconds to change.
 
Yep paper towel in click clacks and then kritters krumble in the larger enclosures . Thr kritters krumble looks good , is great for neutralizing smells and can be misted with water to hold some humidity around shed time and its cheap as ! Cant go wrong imo
P.s fine if ingested when feeding time too
 
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