Buyer’s Guide: Bedding for Ball Pythons
Ball Pythons are quite interesting animals when it comes to bedding and habitat. They live in savannas and grasslands for
What kind of bedding should you buy for your Ball Python? Use mulch, as it is porous in nature and will retain moisture well. I recommend the Reptile Prime Coconut Fiber Bedding, but other substrates work well too if you decide against this one.
Ball Pythons are found in Africa and if you’re going to buy one, you’re going to want a nice habitat for them. Chances are that you are a guru of snakes and other animals, but here are some ideas for anybody out there looking for information.
Substrates
If you have had ball pythons or any snakes before you know what substrates are. If you have never heard of this word, I will explain.
Substrates are, by definition on google, a “the surface or material on or from which an organism lives, grows, or obtains its nourishment.”
A substrate is a flooring, environment, etc. that helps the animal feel at home and can exist.
This will be there home and you want them to be comfortable in their terrarium. I can imagine you feel comfortable in your home. Give the same kind of treatment to your snake. If your snake is well taken care of then it will be calm and trust you.
These environments also help them to be healthy. if you have the right kind of substrate then the snake won’t get rashes or scars. They will live a healthy life. Plus the kind of material you get will help keep out odor and moisture, but more on that in a minute.
I looked up many different kinds of substrates and it is stuff like the forest floor, soil, etc. Think of what outside in nature looks like and you’ve got a pretty good idea.
One of the best substrates I could find was the Reptile Prime Coconut Fiber Bedding.
It’s organic. It’s softer, not very coarse. It can be used in many different settings from dry to humid areas. The humidity retention is excellent. Also, the guy on the package looks really happy to have a huge snake around his neck. Maybe I am just not on the same level of connection as this guy.
The coconut fiber bedding also soaks up the waste product so it’ll be easier to clean up after your snake does its business. It’s less hassle for you and you can enjoy your snake more.
Better than just absorbing the waste product, it also breaks down the odor so your room doesn’t smell bad. I’ve had animals before inside my house that just leave my room smelling really bad and there isn’t much to do about it so if you’re like me, you’re going to want something that breaks down the odor. You don’t want your house to smell like an animal, trust me.
If you’re looking for a natural aesthetic to be more appealing, then this coconut fiber will work great with your habitat. It acts as a great substrate to any plants you have living in there with the snake.
The bags are $20.99 USD for 24 dry quarts. It weighs in at about 6 pounds. The Reptile Prime company assures that their product will hold more humidity longer a and even though it is a natural substance it will take more and 35 days for any fungal activity to appear. It also has instructions on the back of the bag for application, instructions, maintenance, and how to clean.
The product has a 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
There are great reviews from users of this product, especially those who enjoy the organic benefit. If that is your thing, you like the natural look and you don’t want odor, then I would say this product is definitely for you.
After you are done with using it for your boa and you have to replace it. I would recommend that you use it in your garden or compost if you have either of those things. Since it’s natural, it’ll break down well. It is somewhere in the middle, an almost perfect pH level. So it will work great if you’ve really got that green thumb.
An Alternative Option
A great option in case you don’t feel like spending that much money is Zoo Med Eco Earth Loose Coconut Fiber Substrate.
This substrate is less likely to have disgusting parasites and bugs in it. I had a dog with fleas and that was terrible, I can’t imagine what it would be like to have problems similar to a python.
Similar to the last option, this coconut fiber really helps to absorb moisture and waste in the cage. This helps so much with cleaning. I won’t mention that anymore so it doesn’t become redundant. Plus this stuff smells great.
The only bad thing that I read was that it that it takes longer to dry out so it can make the tank too humid. Make sure that this stuff is dry before putting them in the enclosure.
You can get 8 quarts for about $15.00 USD or a 3-pack of 8-quart bags for $40.00 USD which will save you about 5 dollars. It has 4.6 out of 5 stars.
People are saying that the humidity keeps up well and it lasts a good while. If are looking for a good product which doesn’t cost you much, this will work great for you.
If you really want a simple and cheap way to go, Aspen Shavings and Peat Moss always work.
You can buy these online or at a local pet store.
Young ball pythons love to burrow in the shavings and moss so this is great for them! These products can be a little bit dusty, so if you’re not into that, then this probably is something to research more.
Peat moss should not be used as your main substrate. It is helpful in some ways like increasing the humidity of your tank or helping to
We recently wrote an article about how to create your own terrarium habitat for your snake, where we also talk about how to treat wood for substrate and how to lay out your substrate in an effective way. Find the article here.
Creating the Atmosphere
When you create the atmosphere for your ball python, you’re going to want to provide many places for it to hide. Furnish them places to hide. You could use some plants, rocks, etc.
If you’re looking for enclosed spaces I would suggest the Exo Terra Snake Cave.
It is a great piece that looks natural and is sturdy. Most snakes will warm up to it.
This piece will hold snakes about 4 to 5 feet in length and it costs about $27.00 USD.
Another option would be the Pangea Reptile Hide Box.
It is larger than the last option and it is cheaper at $19.00 USD. It’s a lot less natural looking. It is a hard plastic that is durable.
Snakes need a place to hide and rest, otherwise, they will become stressed. That affects their eating habits among other things.
You want to provide them with hiding places in not only the hot areas but also the cooler ones. Give them variety. This allows them to move around and do what snakes do.
Give your ball Python some climbing structures like a branch or some rock formations. Use your imagination. Once they have this, they can coil themselves around the climbable objects and do snake things.
The only thing I would add is don’t over-crowd the snake’s tank. you want it to be able to breathe. Just get a few things here and there to give it some personality and stretching room and then you’re set.
Having a hard time figuring out accessories and items that your ball python will enjoy? Here, you can find an article where I talk about my favorite accessories for a pet snake. In this article, I talk about the essentials, as well as the non-essentials.
Related Questions
What is the best bedding for ball pythons? You will want something porous that will hold moisture and increase humidity. A simple and popular one is aspen shavings.
How long can my ball python go without eating? It is possible for a ball python to go without eating for about 6 months. It is typical of snakes in the wild to go without food for this long.
What should the temperature and humidity be for a ball python? Your ball python should have a balmy 88 to 96 degrees Fahrenheit for basking. In other areas keep it around 78 to 80 degree Fahrenheit. It is important to know the temperature of your snake and it’s tank.