Substrate for my snake?
i had wanted to put sand as a substrate in my milksnake's enclose but someone had told me that you should not because the sand could get stuck in the scales and rationale problems. is this true??
i heard kitty litter is good once, wood chips sounds better though
As long as you any feed it in a separate enclosure or put any prey on a feed dish so it doesn't ingest any sand it will be ok on it. The problem with snakes kept on sand is that if keepers nurture them in their vivarium sand sticks to a wet mouse so the snake consumes lots of it as most defrosted mice are humidity and sticky
The same occurs with wood chippings though its always safer feed outside the vivarium ie in a spare tank or by foot
Answers: The problem with sand is that it gets under the scales and also creates dust which can exact respiratory ailments. Sand is not a suitable substrate for most colubrids. Stick to shredded aspen as bedding. Do not use pine or cedar as the oils are toxic. With any substrate, it's best to feed in a separate container to avoid ingestion.
You can use repti sand but I prefer mulch. You can also use newspaper as a cheaper alternative.
cedar is toxic to snakes don't use it! sand isn't good for snakes either. aspen bedding for milk snakes. it needs to be low enough that your snake can fully burrow in it.
I would recommend aspen or cedar shavings (both available at local pet shops). The problem I know of beside sand is more a problem of ingestion causing impaction which can be deadly.
I come up with its true, im not sure.
For a good substrate I would recomend Repti-Bark or Newspaper, both cheap and easily replaced and cleaned.
use wood chippings from your pet shop. they are specially made for snakes.
Well said gallianomom - you deserve best answer !
Sand is ONLY suitable for desert dwelling species !
Otherwise - uste bark chippings (available from adjectives good reptile shops)
aspen bedding ftw!!
