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desert sand substrate?

N

newtosnakes

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Would it be ok to use the "desert sand" for reptiles you can buy in the petstore as a substrate for an 04 CB baby ball python I just got? I have the repti-bark in now but I have been reading horror stories about mites. I know newspaper is easy and cheap but I would like to have something a little more natural for the snake and more appealing to my eyes. Thanks!
 
Sand will dry that BP right out. It does not come from the desserts, so I would certainly not go that route. I use newspaper, however if your looking for a "eye apealing" substrate go with aspen mulch.
Jim
 
I echo what others have said above. Sand just isn't a good substrate for a ball python. It'd be almost impossible to meet the humidity requirements with that. Not to mention it'd get everywhere and could irritate the snake if it got under the belly scales.

I use reptibark. I was afraid of the mite thing too, even though the bag claimed it was "pest free". I just layed it out on a baking sheet and baked it for 20 minutes on 300 to kill anything that might be living in it. Haven't had a problem yet. :)
 
thats a really good idea...i was thinking about changing the bark anyways because i didnt get a big enough bag when i first bought it, so maybe i will cook it next time just in case, thanks!
 
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