Yeah, I looked up carefresh...that stuff should be pretty good, but I'd still keep a really close eye on it in case the snake expels pure liquid waste. I'm not sure how many do that without defecating though.
ball python subtrate
- Thread starter large_cichlids
- Start date
Honestly, the snakes couldn't care less if it looks natural. Thats just another thing humans fudge with too much and it eventually gets to the point of herpkeeping, keeping the animal happy. They want to use their substrate. We just want to look at it. Then again, you can make compromises where both are happy. I just can't make species-specific suggestions for most snakes, as I havent kept bloods.
I keep my entire collection in closed rack systems with unprinted newsprint substrate with appropriately sized hide boxes.
My collection is thriving. I was fortunate enough to have lunch with Dave and Tracy Barker of VPI, Inc. at the Daytona Expo this year and picked their brains - I left that conversation feeling pretty good about my husbandry methods.
One this we did talk about was that some of the old school herp keepers like to use more naturalistic setups. There was a book that came out years back titles "The Art of Snake Keeping", which takes a naturalistic approach to housing snakes.
Based on my experience, I don't feel that this approach is necessary for ball pythons. Optional, sure, but necessary - absolutely not. All ball pythons care about is being warm, secure, and clean.
My collection is thriving. I was fortunate enough to have lunch with Dave and Tracy Barker of VPI, Inc. at the Daytona Expo this year and picked their brains - I left that conversation feeling pretty good about my husbandry methods.
One this we did talk about was that some of the old school herp keepers like to use more naturalistic setups. There was a book that came out years back titles "The Art of Snake Keeping", which takes a naturalistic approach to housing snakes.
Based on my experience, I don't feel that this approach is necessary for ball pythons. Optional, sure, but necessary - absolutely not. All ball pythons care about is being warm, secure, and clean.
And LC...why do you have to keep putting all your herps on dirt after hearing how bad it is over and over and over and over? You're killing me man!
I don't know if I'm LC, but whatever... I usually go by loco. Anyhoo-
I don't use the naturalistic approach. I use substrates my animals can use, not just poop on. But my enclosures are all in my bedroom so I want them to look a little decent, so I have a fake plant or two. If thats natural to you...
I know they can be healthy on newspaper, not debating that at all. I've used it myself and it sure was easy and my animals were great. But burrowing animals (such as my hognose) appreciate a good burrowing substrate, although they do fine without it. My beardie used to be kept on plain ol' sand. Now I got him this weird landscaping sand (or something, I dont know what it is) that holds a burrow beautifully and he makes fine use of it. My crested could be kept on paper towels and thrive. I have her on about an inch of eco-earth with a couple wads of sphagnum, and she feels very secure buried underneath if I've been bugging her too much in her other spots.
I would only do the naturalistic approach if I was doing a true-blue display in my living room or something, which won't happen anytime soon. I'm all for practicality and health.
When did I hear dirt was bad over and over again?
You talked to the Barkers? Nice! How was it? Man, I wish I could afford a Daytona trip!
Dude, your in Richmond?! You go to the Richmond Reptile Show? What about NARBC this year?
I don't use the naturalistic approach. I use substrates my animals can use, not just poop on. But my enclosures are all in my bedroom so I want them to look a little decent, so I have a fake plant or two. If thats natural to you...
I know they can be healthy on newspaper, not debating that at all. I've used it myself and it sure was easy and my animals were great. But burrowing animals (such as my hognose) appreciate a good burrowing substrate, although they do fine without it. My beardie used to be kept on plain ol' sand. Now I got him this weird landscaping sand (or something, I dont know what it is) that holds a burrow beautifully and he makes fine use of it. My crested could be kept on paper towels and thrive. I have her on about an inch of eco-earth with a couple wads of sphagnum, and she feels very secure buried underneath if I've been bugging her too much in her other spots.
I would only do the naturalistic approach if I was doing a true-blue display in my living room or something, which won't happen anytime soon. I'm all for practicality and health.
When did I hear dirt was bad over and over again?
You talked to the Barkers? Nice! How was it? Man, I wish I could afford a Daytona trip!
Dude, your in Richmond?! You go to the Richmond Reptile Show? What about NARBC this year?
Loco I wasn't referring to you, its all good.
Lunch with the Barkers was great. It was like meeting reptile breeder rock stars!
I'll be at the Richmond show, I'll have a table there. I've got to move some of the ball pythons I produced this year...can't keep them all! I'll also be at NARBC in Chantilly the weekend before (no table though, just looking)
Lunch with the Barkers was great. It was like meeting reptile breeder rock stars!
I'll be at the Richmond show, I'll have a table there. I've got to move some of the ball pythons I produced this year...can't keep them all! I'll also be at NARBC in Chantilly the weekend before (no table though, just looking)
