Paper pellets vs. aspen, the importance of burrowing?

[d_virginiana]

I use newspaper, and provide a lot of fake plants; the leafy ones on vines work best. There's usually enough that it looks like leaf litter. If they poo on the fake plants, it just takes a quick wash off with a paper towel. They don't hide very much either. Best thing about newspaper is it's free

[d_virginiana]

Also, it cuts down on dust and completely eliminates the risk of one eating a piece of substrate. I started using it because one of mine had a mouth infection that took awhile to clear up, and it kept getting bits of dust in his mouth. Then when I had a scare with my blind guy almost swallowing some substrate that smelled like food I switched everybody, and they all seem to like it.

[Jeff B]

Steve how much is the 40lb bag and where do you get it?

I use compressed aspen pellets. Absorbent, reduces smells, clumps when wet for easy removal and spot cleaning.
I get very little burrowing which I like.

Gentle Touch Products - Products: Cat Box Filler, Pet Bedding, & Horse Bedding

[guidofatherof5]

I know the owner and don't live far from his processing/warehouse facility so I get it at a wholesale price and I pick it up.

[Selkielass]

Naturalistic substrates are awesome for the right animals.
My t. Butlerii love the terrarium.
My marcianus lives on very dry paper towel as he has had problems w scale rot.

[angrygamer]

I use coconut husk, I never liked aspen. It holds moisture well.

Also, I don't know if it's a concern to the snake but it's also dark and it lets him blend in. Aspen is really bright.

That is, if I were a snake, which I'm not. At least last I checked.

[Foxrun402]

My red sided used to burrow... then I kept digging her up... then I gave her TONS of hiding / climbing decor... she doesn't burrow anymore... They just like a lot of varied places to hide. If you provide that... They might not even burrow, until they want to brumate...

[Varanus]

My red sided used to burrow... then I kept digging her up... then I gave her TONS of hiding / climbing decor... she doesn't burrow anymore... They just like a lot of varied places to hide.

They got plenty to climb on, but finding natural-looking hides that are small enough to suit them is difficult. They spend most of their time snug under a small flat piece of wood that has a bed of moss under it. The other hides they rarely, if ever, use (well the damp hide gets used when they are getting ready to shed).

Also due to the large size of the corner water bowl there isn't much room for hides on the cool side of the terrarium. I do have one there but they never seem to use it, even though I stuffed it with moss so it would be more snug. I suppose it is still not the right shape.