What substrate to use for a Rosy Boa ?

TheFrogman · 12-27-13, 05:58 AM

Anyone have a Rosy Boa and what substrate do you use?

I have no real reason for the change but I changed my Rosy Boa's substrate from Reptiblend which was the big red chunks of bark to Aspen and he immediately burrowed completely under it on the warm side of his tank. Im not digging that at all. Is this normal?

What substrate do you use?

ilovemysnake · 12-27-13, 06:04 AM

dont have one, but i just gave both of mine eco earth today, and the one loves it, stays burrowed. the other cruises on it.

i was going to use aspen but i was scared they might somehow digest it, causing impactation.

TheFrogman · 12-27-13, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovemysnake

dont have one, but i just gave both of mine eco earth today, and the one loves it, stays burrowed. the other cruises on it.

i was going to use aspen but i was scared they might somehow digest it, causing impactation.

Thanks, I feed outside the enclosure so ingestion is not an issue

kwhitlock · 12-27-13, 06:24 AM

Either would work fine, I would think aspen would be easier to keep the humidity low. But either or would be fine. I don't own one but just my .02 cents

ilovemysnake · 12-27-13, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFrogman

Thanks, I feed outside the enclosure so ingestion is not an issue

so do i, but turbo likes to lick everything.. he licks the leaves, glass, ect. i didnt want to run the risk. i think i have like the only snake in the world the does this.

TheFrogman · 12-27-13, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwhitlock

Either would work fine, I would think aspen would be easier to keep the humidity low. But either or would be fine. I don't own one but just my .02 cents

I appreciate your reply, I'm curious why with Reptibark she was always out and with the change she burrowed? <scratching chin>

kwhitlock · 12-27-13, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFrogman

I appreciate your reply, I'm curious why with Reptibark she was always out and with the change she burrowed? <scratching chin>

Probably has to do with that aspen is much looser than reptibark. I've used both, my Hondo loved aspen but I took her off due to having less than 10% often, switched her to eco earth, and she doesn't burrow as much. I've noticed with reptibark, it's a lot heavier and seems to want to sit in place (hard to explain what I'm trying to say, hope you get what I mean by it)

TheFrogman · 12-27-13, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwhitlock

Probably has to do with that aspen is much looser than reptibark. I've used both, my Hondo loved aspen but I took her off due to having less than 10% often, switched her to eco earth, and she doesn't burrow as much. I've noticed with reptibark, it's a lot heavier and seems to want to sit in place (hard to explain what I'm trying to say, hope you get what I mean by it)

I do get what your saying and thanks you, she most likely never burrowed before on the Reptibark because she couldn't, it was too dense. The Aspen is easier to get under.

kwhitlock · 12-27-13, 07:26 AM

Ive seen my brazillian whos on reptibark burrow one time, and all he did was get underneath his humid hide box, so in reality he just squeezed himself in there. But the choice is yours, I think if your rosy likes to burrow, will make her less stressed and be a happier snake on aspen.

Hope I helped!

TheFrogman · 12-27-13, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwhitlock

Ive seen my brazillian whos on reptibark burrow one time, and all he did was get underneath his humid hide box, so in reality he just squeezed himself in there. But the choice is yours, I think if your rosy likes to burrow, will make her less stressed and be a happier snake on aspen.

Hope I helped!

You were a huge help and thanks, unfortunately I liked seeing her out and about but If she's happier now then so be it.

Kera · 12-27-13, 11:31 AM

I agree, she just wanted to burrow. Totally normal

And honestly, I would just feed inside the tank. Rarely will a snake ingest or get impaction from the substrate. Just personal preference though

kwhitlock · 12-27-13, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kera

I agree, she just wanted to burrow. Totally normal

And honestly, I would just feed inside the tank. Rarely will a snake ingest or get impaction from the substrate. Just personal preference though

Also to note with that, as long as your husbandry is on part then you wont have an issue with impact, they break down bones, pretty sure some wood chips aint gonna hurt

TheFrogman · 12-27-13, 01:58 PM

I will be honest, I have always fed out side the tank for two reasons, I do a weight check prior to feeding and not because I'm worried about ingestion of substrate but I have always read its better to feed outside so the animal knows the difference between you reaching in to feed and reaching in to take him out. But I am starting to realize I may not need to do this.

Kera · 12-27-13, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFrogman

I will be honest, I have always fed out side the tank for two reasons, I do a weight check prior to feeding and not because I'm worried about ingestion of substrate but I have always read its better to feed outside so the animal knows the difference between you reaching in to feed and reaching in to take him out. But I am starting to realize I may not need to do this.

I think feeding in and out are basically the same, maybe just a little less stressful to feed inside. I think if you handle the snake regularly as a baby, you don't feed it as often as you handle it, so rather than thinking it's feeding time, it'll think it's just going to be held. If that makes sense?

Again, it's up to you. I don't see harm doing it outside of the tank, except maybe having difficulty putting it back in.

drumcrush · 12-27-13, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kera

I think feeding in and out are basically the same, maybe just a little less stressful to feed inside. I think if you handle the snake regularly as a baby, you don't feed it as often as you handle it, so rather than thinking it's feeding time, it'll think it's just going to be held. If that makes sense?

Again, it's up to you. I don't see harm doing it outside of the tank, except maybe having difficulty putting it back in.

I agree with you