Death to Aspen!!!

[gregmonsta]

My Squiggles had not been acting normal for a little while (burrowing and hiding) and .... after looking at him today and seeing an unusual bump at the anterior end of his stomach I decided to make him regurgitate ... needless to say it was a piece of Aspen bedding ... I'm damn glad I caught it in time!!!!

I herewith condemn Aspen bedding!!! #'*#@

Why do reptile shops even bother to sell substrate that can lead to such problems????

[Zephyr]

I'm currently using aspen for my corn snakes, but I feed them in a separate enclosure. It holds burrows well as well as warmth, but the impaction issue is always there.

[Stefan-A]

Because there are no substrates that are safe AND look good.

I'm glad you did get Squiggles to regurgitate it, good job.

[adamanteus]

Originally Posted by Stefan-A

Because there are no substrates that are safe AND look good.

Yes, there is.... slate. I always use it, as I've said in the past ( a few times)

[Stefan-A]

Originally Posted by adamanteus

Yes, there is.... slate. I always use it, as I've said in the past ( a few times)

[gregmonsta]

Originally Posted by adamanteus

Yes, there is.... slate. I always use it, as I've said in the past ( a few times)

Good idea I've already ordered reptile carpet and I'm going to feed them on that and leave them with an Aspen corner (only until I run out of the stuff ... then I'll order chunky stuff that even an adult wouldn't swallow!!).

[gregmonsta]

Originally Posted by Zephyr

I'm currently using aspen for my corn snakes, but I feed them in a separate enclosure. It holds burrows well as well as warmth, but the impaction issue is always there.

Unfortunately I couldn't get sqiggles to feed in a seperate enclosure he's an awkward little sod.

[adamanteus]

A few good points about slate:

It looks good.
Used with a good thermostat, it retains and radiates heat perfectly.
It wipes clean in a second.
It is totally non-permiable.
It cannot harbour mites, ticks or bacteria.
It can't be swallowed or contaminate food in any way.
It cannot be dragged into the water bowl.

I'm no expert on many aspects of this hobby, but I've been keeping reptiles of many types for over forty years. In that time I've tried more substrates than I care to remember, slate works consistantly. Try it, you'll like it!

[gregmonsta]

I'll skulk about my mum's old cottage and see if there's any windfall cheers. Sounds perfect . I might use it to landscape my vivs a little

[Stefan-A]

Originally Posted by adamanteus

A few good points about slate:

It looks good.
Used with a good thermostat, it retains and radiates heat perfectly.
It wipes clean in a second.
It is totally non-permiable.
It cannot harbour mites, ticks or bacteria.
It can't be swallowed or contaminate food in any way.
It cannot be dragged into the water bowl.

I'm no expert on many aspects of this hobby, but I've been keeping reptiles of many types for over forty years. In that time I've tried more substrates than I care to remember, slate works consistantly. Try it, you'll like it!

Too heavy, too expensive. Do you have any alternative materials?