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 #1830427


Deamon
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 Shredded aspen?

i was wondering if shredded aspen is fine to use for ball python and boas
08/14/08  03:53am

 #1830452


Marg
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   Message To: Deamon   In reference to Message Id: 1830427


 Shredded aspen?

It’s fine for BPs... and I believe many use it for Boas as well :o)

Almost Anything can be used... as long as it is NOT Pine, Cedar or Sand!
08/14/08  06:51am

 #1830557


Barker
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   Message To: Marg   In reference to Message Id: 1830452


 Shredded aspen?

We have used it for our boa for almost 3 years. When we had our BP we used it for her as well with great results on both.

Randi
08/14/08  10:44am

 #1831106


Isabela
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   Message To: Barker   In reference to Message Id: 1830557


 Shredded aspen?

so I just fed my snake for the first time and everything went fine...

however, after swallowing the mouse there was still 2 large pieces of aspen in her mouth. She tried rubbing one off/out but it didn’t work. Should i be worried about this or does she have a way of getting rid of it? The pieces weren’t far enough back to look like swallowing them could occur.
If only snakes could spit...
08/14/08  06:18pm

 #1831537


Fillerbunny
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   Message To: Isabela   In reference to Message Id: 1831106


 Shredded aspen?

i personally dont feed my snakes while they are in their cages because i dont want a impaction to occur of ever be a problem i have a seperate feeding tub i use without any substrate in it, I get the feeling that if she didnt swallow the wood with the food she probably wont swallow it but i dunno but i do know that impaction can be very bad so i choose not to take that risk
08/15/08  05:15am

 #1831616


Bazzer
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   Message To: Fillerbunny   In reference to Message Id: 1831537


 Shredded aspen?

I wouldn’t worry too much. Snakes digest bone, fur, intestinal gut etc etc etc. I’m sure they can cope with a bit of substrate.

Who cleans their mouths out in the wild when they get clogged with dirt, leaves, twigs etc etc.

Baz
08/15/08  08:53am

 #1831801


Isabela
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   Message To: Bazzer   In reference to Message Id: 1831616


 Shredded aspen?

Thanks Bazzer. I was thinking the same thing and just wanted someone to confirm it. And by the looks of it she already disposed of them somehow.

however, I think i’m gonna try out of tank feeding. Her previous owners did so i’m sure she’ll cope fine.



08/15/08  12:49pm

 #1831899


Fillerbunny
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   Message To: Isabela   In reference to Message Id: 1831801


 Shredded aspen?

im pretty sure its a bit different to digest bone than it is wood what reptile do you know of that digests chunks of wood? im not saying it wont survive im just sayin i wouldnt wanna take the chance and that i have heard of snakes dying or having problems from impaction
08/15/08  02:34pm

 #1831943


Brembo
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   Message To: Fillerbunny   In reference to Message Id: 1831899


 Shredded aspen?

I have been told not to use bark bedding. I wasn’t told this prior to getting a ball python and now its very probable that the bedding contributed to the python’s death.

Cedar is poisonous to snakes, aspen gets in their mouths during feeding and needs removal and its smaller, more elongated and can cause digestion issues or even blockage if you miss a piece. Cypress has the most particulate matter in it and can cause the snake to get sick and stop eating to the point of death. Cypress also tends to cause them distress at their nose if they are not used to it.

I know from experience now, so no more bark bedding for me. I am using a special bedding comprised of sand blasted pebbles, smoothed and cleaned. It seems to work best for my breeder so I’ll stick with what I can see working for the breeder.

I know everyone’s experience is different, but I gotta go with what is highly recommended by breeders and herp experts at this point. Once you lose a close pet, you tend to get very skittish.

And my biggest reason not to use wood beddings - Petsmart and Petco STRONGLY recommend them!

Nuff said right there!

lol
08/15/08  03:24pm

 #1833645


Bazzer
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   Message To: Fillerbunny   In reference to Message Id: 1831899


 Shredded aspen?

Quote:

im pretty sure its a bit different to digest bone than it is wood



I’m sure bone is pretty different from wood too. How long does it take a dog to chew a bone compared to a piece of wood. A bone is a lot tougher..don’t you agree?

Quote:

what reptile do you know of that digests chunks of wood?



I would guess that most wild snakes at some, if not most feeds, end up digesting pieces of branch/ twigs etc

Some snakes (including one of my BP’s) will not feed outside of her enclosure. She doesn’t live on newspaper, because personally I don’t like the papermache effect after a huge wee. It’s useless putting a mouse or rat on a piece of paper in the enclosure because she drags it off. Also I have two rather large Boa constrictors. Imagine lugging them out of their enclosures to feed and then risking a regurg having to lift them back into their enclosures after. As for messing around with the snake trying to pull small pieces of substrate from its mouth after a feed, well you risk regurg or getting tagged and have you ever been tagged by a 6 ft boa at feeding time?

I really wouldn’t worry about feeding on aspen. What I do is feed mine on a hemp bedding very similar to aspen, which is called aubiose. It’s an equine bedding, which is great for snakes. Its grown as a plant (not pine or cedar) and if any is digested it is easy to break down and pass through. If I see any big pieces on a prey item the snake is eating, i’ll remove it with tweezers before it’s swallowed.
08/17/08  07:56am

 #1834051


Isabela
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   Message To: Bazzer   In reference to Message Id: 1833645


 Shredded aspen?

bazzer, the snake doesn’t protest at all to having tweezers near it just after feeding? do you nab the bits of substrate out while they "yawn" their jaws back into place?

bone is obviously much much harder than wood but it all depends on what types of enzymes/bacteria snakes have in their stomachs for digestion. If they are made to digest bone then they probably don’t have the capacity to digest cellulose which is a tough substance (and much different than bone) found in abundance in plants. I’m pretty sure humans cannot digest cellulose. That being said, stomachs are pretty nasty things full of acids and other digestive juices so I’m sure swallowing little bits of wood now and then won’t do any damage. [I hope I’m remembering my facts from Anatomy201-202 correctly : ) ]
08/17/08  04:24pm

 #1834236


Fillerbunny
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   Message To: Isabela   In reference to Message Id: 1834051


 Shredded aspen?

Quote:

bone is obviously much much harder than wood but it all depends on what types of enzymes/bacteria snakes have in their stomachs for digestion. If they are made to digest bone then they probably don’t have the capacity to digest cellulose which is a tough substance (and much different than bone) found in abundance in plants. I’m pretty sure humans cannot digest cellulose



that is what i was sayin a snakes digestive tract is not made to digest wood, also i said I WOULDNT DO IT and pointed out that i have heard and read of many cases where impaction caused problems and death, but i didnt say DO NOT DO IT i just stated that i wouldnt take that risk and it can be dangerous



08/17/08  07:42pm

 #1834242


Fillerbunny
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   Message To: Fillerbunny   In reference to Message Id: 1834236


 Shredded aspen?

Quote:

I’m sure bone is pretty different from wood too. How long does it take a dog to chew a bone compared to a piece of wood. A bone is a lot tougher..don’t you agree



tougher yes made of the same types of compounds no chewing is alot different than digesting



08/17/08  07:46pm

 #1834278


Reflex
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   Message To: Fillerbunny   In reference to Message Id: 1834242


 Shredded aspen?

Not being able to digest it is different than not being able to pass it. We can’t digest fiber, but we pass it just fine (in this instance fiber actually helps us but I am not saying wood helps snakes). As long as it isn’t toxic or have any odd oils then it shouldn’t be fatal whatsoever.
08/17/08  08:23pm

 #1834451


Isabela
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   Message To: Reflex   In reference to Message Id: 1834278


 Shredded aspen?

Yes, digesting substances is much different than being able to pass substances but if big hunks of things are present that cannot be digested (broken down) this certainly seems like a risk factor for impaction/blockage.



08/17/08  11:02pm

 #1834478


Fillerbunny
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   Message To: Reflex   In reference to Message Id: 1834278


 Shredded aspen?

what about if it gets lodged in the intestine and causes severe blockage the thing about aspen at least the aspen i use is it is almost needle like or toothpick like slivers of wood, hemp on the other hand at least all the hemp im familiar with is more pliable you can bend it without breaking it, i personally would be less worried about my snake swallowing reptibark or hemp than aspen because of the shape the aspen is in i.e. little slivers vs. more rounded or malleable chunks of wood



08/17/08  11:23pm

 #1835170


Bazzer
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   Message To: Isabela   In reference to Message Id: 1834051


 Shredded aspen?

Quote:

do you nab the bits of substrate out while they "yawn" their jaws back into place?



No. I take any pieces I see stuck to the rodent off as and when I see them. Some will simply fall off as it reaches the side of the mouth too.

Quote:

I hope I’m remembering my facts from Anatomy201-202 correctly : ) ]



I’m sure as we are on the subject of ingesting substrates and some possible (but not guaranteed) consequences of doing so, some people will know doubt be thinking of impaction. I’m sure that as you have studied anatomy, you will also be able to explain to everyone that ingesting substates is not the only possible cause of impaction, therefore if you (the general reader that is) have ever had a snake suffer from this condition, are you sure it was substrate that was the cause, or was it down to the prey size being too big or inadequate temperatures for example? Too many people are too quick to blame bedding for intestinal problems. There are plenty of other causes to impaction and not just substrate on its own.

The bottom line is to use common sense. If you see a huge piece of substrate going into the mouth, then ’YES’ common sense says if you can remove it then do so. If it is little tiny bits that have gone into the mouth and the only answer is yanking the snakes mouth open, then i’d say to not worry too much about it, rather than stressing the little guy out by yanking his mouth open.

I have watched my snakes after feeding and sometimes I have noticed little pieces of substrate still in their mouths. On each occasion I have seen this, I have also seen the snake twisting its lower jaw open and rubbing its mouth on the side of its enclosure until the substrate has come out. They’re not stupid.

Oh one final question I have for the scientists out there whilst we’re on the subject of ingesting and blockages. Was the cause of my mums 15 year old pedigree dog dying due to all the wood, plastic, stones, cloth etc etc he ate in his life time?



08/18/08  04:01pm


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