Death to Aspen!!!

[gregmonsta]

My Squiggles had not been acting normal for a little while (burrowing and hiding) and .... after looking at him today and seeing an unusual bump at the anterior end of his stomach I decided to make him regurgitate ... needless to say it was a piece of Aspen bedding ... I'm damn glad I caught it in time!!!!

I herewith condemn Aspen bedding!!! #'*#@

Why do reptile shops even bother to sell substrate that can lead to such problems????

[Zephyr]

I'm currently using aspen for my corn snakes, but I feed them in a separate enclosure. It holds burrows well as well as warmth, but the impaction issue is always there.

[gregmonsta]

I'm currently using aspen for my corn snakes, but I feed them in a separate enclosure. It holds burrows well as well as warmth, but the impaction issue is always there.

Unfortunately I couldn't get sqiggles to feed in a seperate enclosure he's an awkward little sod.

[Stefan-A]

Because there are no substrates that are safe AND look good.

I'm glad you did get Squiggles to regurgitate it, good job.

[adamanteus]

Because there are no substrates that are safe AND look good.

Yes, there is.... slate. I always use it, as I've said in the past ( a few times)

[Stefan-A]

Yes, there is.... slate. I always use it, as I've said in the past ( a few times)

[gregmonsta]

Yes, there is.... slate. I always use it, as I've said in the past ( a few times)

Good idea I've already ordered reptile carpet and I'm going to feed them on that and leave them with an Aspen corner (only until I run out of the stuff ... then I'll order chunky stuff that even an adult wouldn't swallow!!).

[adamanteus]

A few good points about slate:

It looks good.
Used with a good thermostat, it retains and radiates heat perfectly.
It wipes clean in a second.
It is totally non-permiable.
It cannot harbour mites, ticks or bacteria.
It can't be swallowed or contaminate food in any way.
It cannot be dragged into the water bowl.

I'm no expert on many aspects of this hobby, but I've been keeping reptiles of many types for over forty years. In that time I've tried more substrates than I care to remember, slate works consistantly. Try it, you'll like it!

[Stefan-A]

A few good points about slate:

It looks good.
Used with a good thermostat, it retains and radiates heat perfectly.
It wipes clean in a second.
It is totally non-permiable.
It cannot harbour mites, ticks or bacteria.
It can't be swallowed or contaminate food in any way.
It cannot be dragged into the water bowl.

I'm no expert on many aspects of this hobby, but I've been keeping reptiles of many types for over forty years. In that time I've tried more substrates than I care to remember, slate works consistantly. Try it, you'll like it!

Too heavy, too expensive. Do you have any alternative materials?

[anji1971]

I haven't had any problems so far with aspen, but I also feed in a separate tub, at least for Deejay. Stitch is still more comfortable feeding in his own little house, but I put his food on a plastic lid, and watch him like a hawk while he's eating to make sure he doesn't swallow any aspen.
They don't usually just ingest the substrate during their regular activities, do they?? That's something I kind of wondered about; if burrowing around, they would end up swallowing some? Then I would definitely look to another alternative.