A few pics of my ball python "Shimmers"

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I disagree about repti-bark.. I've kept a very steady humidity level in my enclosure.. ..since I put in the coconut stuff it's raised up a couple degrees.. it teeters around 73%

I like using a mixture of different stuff to give a more natural appeal.. leaves and sticks and stuff mixed in

only thing I'm missing is a good backdrop.. :P
 
Reptile bark doesnt hold it very long, lets say that.

Anyway, my problem with reptile bark, carpet, and other highly marketed substrates is the lack of behavior. What do you expect them to do with newspaper? Even non-fossorial herps enjoy a good romp in the dirt. Stuff like plain soil, aspen, cypress, and some others allow for much more natural behavior to take place. Theres not much you can do with newspaper unless youre a hamster.
 
Coconut fiber does hold humidity well, so a mixture of repti-bark and coconut fiber would still hold the humidity. Even so, my newspaper-lined cages have enough humidity from just the water bowls.

We also are well-aware of your problem with many non-particulate substrates. However, if you want your snakes to behave completely naturally, shouldn't you stick them in a bioactive vivarium, complete with that species' native flora and even some predators for them to worry about? Most snakes don't exactly come across piles of shredded aspen in their natural habitats.

I mean dang man.
 
The naturalistic approach is a bit silly. I means we take them out of their environment halfway across the world and imprision them. Hell, if they feel like they need to hide unexposed, they WILL go underneath the newspaper.
 
I didn't say I wanted completely natural. Just let them have another chance to perform natural behaviors that we have taken away. I don't take the naturalistic approach, or plan to.

I didnt say coconut fiber. I love the stuff for cresteds. It holds humidity great and she can cover herself up. REPTILE BARK is a whole 'nuther thing.

It doesnt matter WHAT THE SUBSTRATE IS, it matters WHAT IT ALLOWS THEM TO DO.

Thats my philosophy anyway, and it works for me.
 
And what works for me and many other people is to give them newspaper and a hidebox. I think what you haven't thought about is why the snakes actually burrow. It's not because they think it's fun to play in the dirt; it's because they want to hide.
 
One place to hide would make them awfully vulnerable to predators, dont you agree?

If it aint broke, dont fix it I guess is the mentality here, eh?
 
nice BP
 
Thanks!!!
 
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