is crushed walnut aright for a Kenyan sand boa?

Hannibalcanibal · 08-02-12, 03:11 PM

Hello, well, i'm really not sure what to say to introduce myself, so i'll just say this: my name is mitchell, i am thirteen years old, and i love herps. i have a ball python, eating well and acting like a king, and, the herp i got today, a kenyan sand boa- witch brings me to my question- is zilla desert bedding (crushed walnut shells) ok for kenyan sand boas? i got it today from a local reptile shop, and the guy there knew alot about these guys (he was smiling when we asked for info), and he says he uses it for them and that he is planning on breeding in the future, so i got the walnut bedding. now, the research i've done has yeiled people who say that they use it and that it is fine, but i wanted to double check with the snake experts. now, i will be feeding him (sexed for male), out of the enclosure, so i'm not worried too much, but i thought it would be best to ask you guys, as i have browsed this fourm before and found lots of useful info. thanks for any help, i really appreciate it!

Hannibalcanibal · 08-02-12, 06:15 PM

anyone????

Hannibalcanibal · 08-02-12, 07:26 PM

if it is not o.k, what would you recommend?

Ivalynfyre · 08-02-12, 10:03 PM

Not sure about walnut shells, but aspen holds burrows, and sand boas burrow so I'd use that.. and feeding outside of the enclosure is unnecessary. Just feed inside his cage and avoid the stress of moving him with a full stomach.

totheend · 08-02-12, 10:45 PM

I prefer aspen chip.

mark24 · 08-03-12, 02:21 AM

im not sure about kenyan sand boas but i get zoo med forest floor beding (its cypress mulch) my bullsnake an my gater nakes seem to love it

KORBIN5895 · 08-03-12, 05:17 AM

How far are you from Canadian Tire? I just picked up two cubic feet of plantation soil for $2.39 taxes in. I am unsure of how that would work for the ksb but it would be easy to burrow in.

Hannibalcanibal · 08-03-12, 07:38 AM

cool, i think i'll switch to aspen (the plantation soil gets wet too easy for me to use, and if i use it wet the ksb might be uncomfortable because of the high humidity), but just one more question- is there any way i could make some kind of soil that naturally holds burrows and the ksb hunting pit? to make it more natural- looking?

Wildside · 08-03-12, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hannibalcanibal

cool, i think i'll switch to aspen (the plantation soil gets wet too easy for me to use, and if i use it wet the ksb might be uncomfortable because of the high humidity), but just one more question- is there any way i could make some kind of soil that naturally holds burrows and the ksb hunting pit? to make it more natural- looking?

I think Rzilla actually makes a sandy substrate that will hold burrows...

Hannibalcanibal · 08-03-12, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildside

I think Rzilla actually makes a sandy substrate that will hold burrows...

yeah, that excavator stuff.. .the only thing is, i used that for my leopard geckos, and when you let them dig on their own, you get them covered in clay witch is ugly and i think can cause shedding problems, and if you use it dry, the animal cannot burrow in it because it is rock hard- this stuff, i think, is more for uromastyx lizards and beardies that will retreat to a pre-made burrow...

Wildside · 08-03-12, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildside

I think Rzilla actually makes a sandy substrate that will hold burrows...

It's actually zoo med

Excavator Clay Burrowing Substrate

I used this on a couple of burrowers I had, it may be just the thing you're looking for.

KORBIN5895 · 08-03-12, 07:40 AM

How will it get wet? That makes no sense. Just curious.

Hannibalcanibal · 08-03-12, 07:50 AM

all my animals seem to love knocking over their home- made water dishes, splashing the water everywhere, and the ones at the pet shop seem to be too much money for a little container- when i can just cut the bottom off of a water bottle after i drink all the water and use that instead... don't know why, but even if they dont knock it over andd there is no leak, the water still ends up on the floor, somehow...

Hannibalcanibal · 08-03-12, 07:58 AM

awesome! if i may ask, how did you use it? did the little guys dig their own burrows, or did you do to for them?

Wildside · 08-03-12, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hannibalcanibal

awesome! if i may ask, how did you use it? did the little guys dig their own burrows, or did you do to for them?

Depends on what animal it is. If I remember correctly I think you are supposed to make burrows for them according to the package directions. My whipsnake seemed to dig his own burrows though.