Substrate Poll (More than 1OK)

Originally Posted by Mike Greathouse

Water spills clump as well and can be easily removed. .....(barring catastrophic water bowl athletics).

maybe that wouldn't be the stuff for me then, lol, several of mine are medal holders in that event.
After the stuff clumps the water, can it be broken up/left in the cage?

in sweaterboxes I go between 1/8 - 1/4 inch deep in regular display cages I do 1/4 - 3/8 inch deep

I spread the Sani-Chips about 1" to 2" thick in the small enclosures and about 2" to 3" thick in the large enclosures.

HH,
Once the water is absorbed into the clumps, it will dry and can be broken up, although I wouldn't recommend it. There is too much of a risk of mold. It's much easier to simply remove the clumps (it stays reasonably localized) and replace substrate as needed.

gotcha - I was asking because of a combination of factors: the frequency of training for the waterbowl events; and the fact that I keep a number of moderate-high humidity species, so a moist substrate helps alot.

Sani-Chips would not be my recommendation for those species requiring high humidity. I think there are some better choices that will undoubtedly be listed here by the keepers of those animals.

I have had success with humidity boxes within Sani-Chip enclosures. Primarily for egg-laying boxes for the colubrids. But I have to keep a close eye on these enclosures for signs of mold.

Newspaper, with around 100 snakes it is alot cheaper, and my daughter's boyfriend works for the newspaper, so i get the leftovers and the end of unprinted rolls for free. I have newspaper to last a lifetime LOL!!!

I like shredded aspen for the wee babies about 2" thick so they can choose anywhere to hide, not just their hidebox.

Mulch for the larger snakes, about 2" thick there too.

Others get chipped aspen about 2" thick.

I feed prey that has been stunned (whacked if you please) off tongs while they are in their cages and I haven't had a problem with them eating anything they should not be eating. I do stand right there while they eat, though.

The little guys get moved to small deli cups w/o substrate to eat until I can get them to take food off tongs. It seems to help them find their food better.

I spot clean every time I feed and also if I notice a mess or a spilled water dish then the whole enclosure is cleaned.

I've changed my arboreals to paper towels. I can keep them a little damp w/o any problem.

I went back to mulch for my amazons - just wasn't happy with the paper towels. currently, the emeralds have a bare floor; but when I change them over to the other cages, i will likely go back to mulch with them also. mulch for the bloods and D'Albert's (tried the white lips on newpaper, but went back for the humidity). Newspaper for everything else. I was thinking about
Sani Chips, or one of the similar substrates for the general population - I hope to run away from home for a few days this summer; and I just know that if I do, my very favorite snakes will urinate as soon as I walk out the door, and have pneumonitis and blisters when I get home. (I was inquiring about the higher humidity stuff just cuz its easier to have one substrate).

<oh-I found just the thing for the baby Cape York Spotted Pythons in the food storage section at Walmart - 15 for $3.88>

I emailed the Sani-Chip people, telling them I was just a hobbyist; I got an email back from one of their 'account executives' who want to talk to me. I emailed them back saying I just want the number of their Houston supplier. If anyone already has a Sani-Chip supplier list by city and can post that info I would appreciate it.