Re: Substrate Debate

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: : : I think I've read just about every single post on this forum. I've been especially interested in the use of differing substrates. : : : I haven't kept Indigo's - but intend to get a pair if at all possible (already 5' plus). I prefer aspen shavings (for look and the easy "scoop" type maintenance) - but have concerns about accidental ingestion of this material when they eat. : : : So my question (for those who keep Indigo's on shavings vs. paper) - what methods do you use to ensure they do not ingest this material while eating (eg. place food on section of paper/plastic etc..). : : : Also how badly do Indigo's succumb to rostral abrasions if kept in glass cages (aquaria) - can anyone elaborate? : : : Thanks : : : JAMES : : I've kept Drymarchon for years and I can still say that I haven't found any substrate that I like. I don't like shavings (pine or aspen) for a varity of reasons. The pieces of substrate are indeed large enough to cause blockage in the digestive system, which will kill the snake. The feces is so liquid and it is spread out so much that you really need to replace all of it often. Paper is probably best overall, but it has several faults too. It gets saturated and unless you are on the snake right away they will always lay right in it. The snakes usually manage to crumble it into a ball and simpply deficate on the bare floor. If you are willing to clean your cage each time they deficate then, by all means, use paper. I have too many to spend that much time cleaning each cage several times a week. I use a product called Sani-chips. It is a hardwood product that is almost dust free. It is a flat square less than 1/4". When they ingest it, and they will, it is small enough to go through them with no problems. And the best reason of all for me is I can use a shop-vac to suck up the mess. As the bedding is sucked away, I can just refill the cages with fresh. I do still need to wipe down the over spray on the sides but that is every week or two, not daily. I go in just about daily and spot clean the cages with the vacuum in just a few minutes. I then wipe down the ones that need it. I've been able to cut my cleaning time by 75%. Hope this helps. : : Chuck : Drymarchon are unique creatures, and I would have to heartily agree with Chuck Elliot in that No Substrate is very satisfactory for their enclosures. I use newspaper, but then I clean out every cage every time they let loose the mighty bowel cannons!! This makes it labor intensive, extremely so, but allows me to clean the entire cage. I am fastidious by nature, and keep my reptiles very clean, a monumental task when you have an animal with as fast of a metabolism as Drymarchon.I think that Chuck's method is genuis and cuts down on the time spent cleaning each enclosure. I just find myself wanting to "scrub out" the whole casge, so I've stuck with the newspaper on all my Drymarchon. I use vision Cages exclusively, as the manner in which I clean cages doesn't lend itself well to melamine or wood cages, to much moisture on these wood products. As for useing aquariums, yes I have in the past, and with aHIDEBOX they seemed to work, but the snakes always seemed nervous and stressed out in these containers(to much visibility) . After you ;l : lug a couple of these around the shere weight will stop you from useing them. Like I said before 5-6 years ago I tried them but I didn't like the (back-breaking ) results. Lastly Indigos ingest lots of substrate every time they eat, that is also why mine are on paper. :

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