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substrate for columbian RTB

T

tmartois

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What substrate do most use? I am using woodchips "sandichips" now humidity is lower but sheds in one piece. temps ok. WHat is a better substrate?
 
Substrate for a Columbian? nothing. no such thing.

Substrate for a Col*O*mbian, would be cage liners. (at least thats what a lot of the people here use along with me.)
 
Personally, I always had a hard time maintaining humidity with paper without a humid hide packed full of damp sphagnum. I tried carefresh for a while but I didn't like the smell when it was wet. If I had to do it again I would just use cypress or aspen (in addition to a humid hide).
 
I put newspaper down and then I throw shredded aspen on top of it.

For a little while, I put my boas on just newspaper and then I noticed none of them were moving around much anymore. They would sit in a corner of their cage and look pretty unamused. A few people have the theory that the lack of traction newspaper provides leaves them feeling uncomfortable and vulnerable due to how unnatural it is for them. Plus, it takes more energy to move across. As soon as I threw aspen down on top of it to add texture and traction, I had boas moving around again.

Also, aspen is really easy to spot clean and actually keeps the newspaper lasting a bit longer. I do total cage cleanings once every week and a half or so, but I spot clean daily and the aspen makes it super easy.
 
My BRB's urinated more than any snake (not sure if this is the same for everyone) but changing all of the newspaper everyday got old, lol. Too much stuff to move out of the way.

The good thing about newspaper is it's less likely to mold, so that's one thing you have to watch if using natural substrate combined with high humidity/misting.
 
I use a mixture of newspaper (cool side) and paper towel (hot side). 'Course, my Brazilians spend 90% of their time in the moss hide or water bowl anyway.... Were I to use traditional substrate, I'd probably go with orchid bark or cypress mulch.

I hope this helps,
 
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