Aspen Chips... Another Substrate Thread

[twgrosmick]

Has anyone used this? I can get it in big bales at the reptile shows. I used it with no issues for my hognose and I am thinking about converting my garters over to it. I feed in an empty bin with no substrate. Can anyone think of any disadvantages of using this?

Carefresh has been great but I never see the snakes and it is expensive.

Thanks for the input!

Tyler

[guidofatherof5]

Just make sure they don't ingest it.

[twgrosmick]

Other than at feeding when would they ingest it?

[SSSSnakes]

Other than at feeding when would they ingest it? At feeding time is when he is talking about. Since you feed in another container, there is no reason you can't use it.

[kibakiba]

If they regurg and eat it again, it'll be covered in it.

[twgrosmick]

If they regurg and eat it again, it'll be covered in it.

True... I would assume the chips are easier to pass than normal aspen though in the event he does regurge and eat it...
I believe the issue of regurge is with any substrate though. Anyone else chime in on this?

Thanks

[guidofatherof5]

Agreed but some other substrates don't carry the risks that wood chips do if ingested.;)

[twgrosmick]

Agreed. I will try it for a week or two on a few snakes and see how it goes. I am sure my adults will be fine with it. It is the babies that are of concern

[thamneil]

I think I'll settle with aspen as the substrate of my choice. I haven't been able to find the perfect choice but aspen works pretty darn well. Aspen holds a burrow well and absorbes quite a bit. While ingestion is a problem, I've had snakes eat a good bit and pass it without incident. Definately something to try to prevent though. I feed in the enclosure but just keep an eye and make sure they aren't getting mouthfuls of aspen. I'll give it a 9/10. :)

[chris-uk]

I've only had one problem with feedng on aspen so far which was last Saturday - one of our large females (Lacci) struck at my hand on the tongs, then struck the pinky and knocked it out of the tongs into the substrate then got to it before I could pick it up to clean it off. She normally takes at least 4 days to poo after feeding, and I just went down to check on her because this thread made me realise I'd not seen her much since she fed. I can't feel anything that causes me concern, and she objected to being felt by peeing (mostly pee, but a bit of poo) on my trousers.
I agree with Neil, there isn't a perfect substrate but aspen ticks a lot of the boxes.

[SSSSnakes]

I've used Aspen for over 30 years and had no issues. I also feed in my enclosures. Sometimes a snake may eat a piece of wood, but it always has passed. If I was worried about my snake eating a piece of aspen after eating a regurged piece of food, I think I would be more concerned why my snake was regurging the food. As for the babies, the wood chips are normally to big for them to eat anyway. I myself keep my babies on paper towels, it is just easier to find them. But as I always say, there are many ways that work, so do what works best for you.