Is there a recommended age/size to put baby ball pythons on the same chunky coco-chip substrate as juveniles/adults?
I’ve got 8 babies that are 3-4 months old and have always been on paper towels in their hatchling rack. I haven’t raised babies since Coco Chip became a regular thing in the hobby. I want sure if there were any feeding risks for snakes less than 100g to be on Coco Chip.
Thanks in advance!
I’ve been keeping BP hatchlings on coconut chips fresh out of their first sheds for a while now and have not had any feeding related issues.
If you are concerned about them accidentally ingesting coconut chips you can monitor their feedings or continue to keep them on paper towels.
I don’t breed BPs. But for other species that I normally keep on ReptiChip, I use a smaller grade of that brand (MicroChip size) for neonates/hatchlings. I use aspen chips (tiny pieces) for snakes that prefer more dry conditions.
This is of course more of an ingestion risk than the larger grade, but I take pains to avoid ingestion – feeding drop feeders on a deli cup lid, and for tong feeders I will either clear an area of substrate as a feeding zone, or let the snake hit and wrap and then slide a larger deli cup lid under them. This might not be the best options for all snakes of all species, but it illustrates ways to have a good substrate and safe feedings.
I’m not a zealot regarding naturalistic enclosures, but I think that the uses snakes tend to get out of substrate (and further, substrate of an appropriate particle size for their own size and habits) legitimates attempts to get them off paper towels except in special cases.