Substrate

[OregonHerpaholic]

Hi all, what does everyone use for substrate for their garters?? I normally use coco-fiber/bed-abeast stuff. But that gets expensive with weekly cage cleanings.. I have also recently had a reptile die from ingesting some..found gut blockage.

Is aspen just as good? I use it for other snakes, so more cost effective.. I know of a wildlife biologist that keeps all his snakes on round river rock. small enough to pass through if swallowed but makes cleaning a hassle.

Whatta think??

Billie

[Stefan-A]

In the past, I've mostly used peat moss and occasionally newspaper. At the moment, I'm using carpet in some enclosures and paper towels in others.

I'm skeptical about everything small enough to be swallowed and that doesn't soften up significantly or dissolve when wet.

[guidofatherof5]

I use crushed corn cob. It's cheap and goes a long way. It absorbes and cuts down on odor. Feces is easily cleaned up.
The problem is its size. It is very small and can be ingested very easily. It forces me to hand feed eveyone of my snakes. I don't think a piece or two would cause a problem for an adult snake but it could cause a blockage in a smaller one. The other drawback is the face it molds quickly and must be removed if gotten wet. It has its advantages but forces more time spent watching to make sure it doesn't get eaten. For me it works. Your doing the right thing by asking. Get a lot of opinions and decided for yourself.

[GarterGeek]

I use aspen and my garters seem to like it. They are always tunnelling and burrowing.
Just make sure that you feed them in a different container because aspen is very easy to accidentally swallow.

[OregonHerpaholic]

I use crushed corn cob. .

I have seen MANY snakes die with cob bedding stuck in mouth and in gut. If they get it in the water and then drink it.. I will never trust that stuff..or walnut bedding.. but thanks..

[gregmonsta]

Aspen is snake killer ... I use Carefresh bedding as well as repti-carpet. Carefresh is reputedly safely digested if accidentally swallowed.

[guidofatherof5]

I have seen MANY snakes die with cob bedding stuck in mouth and in gut. If they get it in the water and then drink it.. I will never trust that stuff..or walnut bedding.. but thanks..

I have had no problems with it. I think some if not many of those incidents you refer to occur when the snakes are left unattended during feeding. If that is how it is being used I completely agree with you.

[count dewclaw]

I use paper towels. It's not as pretty as other bedding, but I don't have to worry about the snakes ingesting some. It is also easy to clean and easy to see when it needs cleaning.

[drache]

for the most part i use cage carpet now for all my garters
it's grown on me because of the convenience and re-usability
it washes fine in the machine - i've had some for years - and i like how you can see when it needs changing before the smell builds up; because it's the right size, it changes out faster than newspaper or paper towels, and it's a bit more attractive also
I really like James' slate, but I don't think i'd want to cover an entire tank bottom, so i'm keeping my eyes open for some good sized pieces
i've some tile in a uromastyx enclosure and i like the way they hold heat, but i'm not sure what kind of tile it is - just something i found, liked and gave a good cleaning

[ssssnakeluvr]

newpapers and paper towels.....simple, easy, and disposable...