I’m getting my enclosure set up for my first snake (which I would like to get soon), and I’m back with another stupid question. I settled on aspen shavings for the snake’s bedding. In most of the pictures and videos I see where folks are using aspen shavings, they appear to be large slivers (as in the image stickied on this page). I ordered shavings and they are more like flakes, like you would typically see in a rodent enclosure.
My stupid question is: does it matter? Or is there a reason why snakes would do better with the slivers instead of the flakes? In other words: should I keep what I have, or change it out?
You can still use what you have. It really doesn’t matter too much, but the shredded stuff is a bit softer in texture and makes for easier burrowing behaviour.
I use Aspen for a few of my shy babies so they can do that little burrow for safety easier than with coco. And a couple of adults who are prone to tipping water so they’re not sitting in muddy bedding
That said …
There’s a lot of debate on Aspen for BP bedding. Depending on where you ask, some get aggressive over it.
The main issue is that it can cause dehydration and poor sheds. I would recommend maybe trying a hide that you can put some damp moss into so they can get a little boost if they need it and especially during shed cycles. An easy one is a plastic tub with a hole big enough for your snake to get in. It can still hold a bit of water in the bottom and not worry about the Aspen getting wet.
Make sure they have access to a good size water bowl as well.
The other issue is that Aspen can also be prone to getting some nasty mold if you keep it too damp. So I wouldn’t recommend misting it too often. That’s another reason you would need a nice humid hide as well as a regular one.
Thanks for the advice! I have something I plan to use for a humid hide, which should alleviate the issues. I’ll need to clean out the bedding anyway when I do cleanings, so I’m not too worried about that. I actually chose aspen because I think it will be easier to maintain (with the addition of the humid hide).
Don’t have a water dish yet, couldn’t find one I liked so far. Going to check some more shops and get one.
(I also don’t have the snake yet, so lack of water dish isn’t an issue yet).
And just to get ahead of any questions, I do have 3 hides. One for the warm side, one for the cool side, and the humid hide (which will be on the warm side).
I use aspen for my corns, house snake, sand and. rosy boa, woma, and a couple of bps. (babies) All my other BPs are on repti chip. I rarely have shed problems with any of them. However I am a tub keeper so I don’t have to spray the aspen because tubs are tons better in keeping humidity up.
It’s really refreshing to have good questions being asked in preparation for the snake. =D
3 hides is great! Especially if you’re using a larger setup for your little one. BPs can be pretty shy and if they’ve been raised in a cozy dark tub a sudden open space with light is disorienting for them. Lots of clutter and multiple hides is great for that. Some little guys just never really adjust and that’s a different issue entirely… I hope yours does tho!
Something with a bit of weight is good for the water dish cause BPs do like to bulldoze around items and knock them over. Lol. I actually need to consider changing some of mine because they are tipping them more.
Early congrats on your noodle and if they cause you any trouble just pop by and ask more questions.
I would say it would be ok like others have said i use coconut chip myself because of what armiyana had said about molding (i mist often sometimes) and keeping humidity up id looked into it because it is a cheaper and more readily available bedding in my area but stuck with what i had been ordering instead of trying it both work just depends on ur setup as long as the noodle is happy and healthy with it
One thing with aspen: it tends to mold when it gets wet. So if you think you’ll need to ever mist at all to maintain humidity, I’d recommend choosing a different substrate. And you’ll need an enclosed humid hide (one with a floor that’s not open on the bottom), or at least a plate or something to keep the moist moss/paper towel from being in direct contact with the aspen, otherwise you’re likely to have mold issues.
That said, the shaved aspen you got should work fine. I use aspen for my arid snake, and I’ve used both the finely shredded and the coarser shaved varieties with her. The finer stuff holds tunnels better, but they both work just fine. Especially for a terrestrial species, the shaved should be just fine.
