Paper pellets vs. aspen, the importance of burrowing?

[Varanus]

So I've got two young male checkered garter snakes in an Exo Terra large/wide (18" wide by 18" high by 36" long), and I've found them to be very satisfying snakes to own. They eat great and are out and about more than most snakes. In the past four months I think they've grown nicely, going from eating a pinkie and half a nightcrawler a week (seperate feedings) to two pinkies and a whole nightcrawler a week (seperate feedings). I plan to try out silversides soon. Shedding has been fine, except for a bit retained on the tail of one on his most recent shed (I soaked him in warm water and he let me get it off just fine, I think the little guy just doesn't make as much use of his humid hide as his tankmate does).

Anyway, onto the main issue. On recommendations from the famous care sheet, I've always used recycled paper pellets. I like them and my garters seem happy enough, yet I can't help but think they might like to be able to burrow more. They have some moss but it can't beat the burrowing opportunies of a layer of aspen. Just how important is burrowing to a checkered garter snake? I have a california kingsnake and while she loves her hides I think she would be a lot more stressed out or less active if she didn't have a few inches of aspen to burrow in as she likes.

Also it seems having the option to burrow everywhere would encourage the garters to make more use of areas of the terrarium that don't have hides or branches to climb on (the two main places they are, at least during the day).

As I understand it the main reason to use the paper pellets is for in-cage feeding as they don't stick to food much. However, my garters have always been champs at feeding in little tubs outside their terrarium. So with that in consideration would aspen be superior? I use the kind that supposedly is 99% dust free.

My only other problem with using aspen and having the garters burrow is the waste disposal. With the pellets it is easy to find their poop as it is all on the surface. With the aspen though it could be anywhere. This isn't an issue with my kingsnake since she poops only once a week at most, but with the garters it is much more frequent. I fear not being able to find it all, and that shifting through the aspen for it routinely would stress them out. Do you think just getting the waste I see would be enough along with the usual full-cage cleanings?

Many thanks for any thoughts.

[Steveo]

I don't think there is anything wrong with using aspen, though Carefresh Ultra is my preference. The garters do seem more confident and secure when they can burrow. Most nights I come home from work and it's just heads sticking up out of the substrate.

I do the spot cleaning when they're in their feeding containers. Since they are burrowing I usually have to turn everything over to find all of them anyway.

[Varanus]

Ah yes, I've never tried carefresh so I was thinking to stick with what I knew. I also heard it was more expensive than aspen. Definately something to consider though.

[guidofatherof5]

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 (http://www.gentletouchproducts.com/products.html)

[Varanus]

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.

That's what i am wondering about though, if enabling them to burrow more is better since I don't have to worry about feeding them in the terrarium. As you said, those pellets wouldn't enable much burrowing, so may I ask why you like that?

[guidofatherof5]

I don't have to search for them. They are under a hide or out in the open. I tried care fresh once. They burrowed and crapped on the bottom which meant I had to scrub the cage. Aspen pellet clump up and show you where you have to clean.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

I didn't like either. Naturalistic substrates are better for the animal.They provide a proper humidity gradient,hold borrows and don't need replacing because the bacteria,fungi and inverts take care of the mess

[Varanus]

Well its clear they can thrive on a variety of substrates, just have to figure out what suits me and them best.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

There are a lot of substrates that are acceptable. I currently use aspen for everything seeing as newspaper pellet is too heavy for me to lift and move around when I am filling 2 trash can barrels with it on cleaning day. Newspaper pellet is still my favorite, but between the cost of it, and the weight of it, aspen is winning right now for me. Can't find pelleted aspen at a good enough price either. $10 worth of aspen shavings will do almost my entire snakeroom. That much newspaper pellet would cost me a good $60 at least. It used to be cheaper, but my old work went corporate, and now they think they are above passing on the good deals that they get to their customers.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

The other substrate I use for my true burrowers is of course, coconut husk. (eco earth)

[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 :rolleyes:

[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 (http://www.gentletouchproducts.com/products.html)

[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.