For a natural choice of substrate we have a great range of aspen, hemp and canabis plant substrates.
Aspen bedding may be one of the softest natural beddings for a reptile. Corn snakes, king snakes and other varieties enjoy having this substrate in their vivarium or terrarium. It is perfect for burrowing species because of its soft pliable nature. Another type of reptile that enjoys the aspen bedding is the Blue Tongued Skins and Monitors. The aspen tree bedding comes in several sizes. It can be purchased in five litres, ten litre and thirteen point six litre packages.
Many of the top snake breeders around the world prefer to use aspen bedding in their vivariums or terrariums. The aspen bedding won’t have any toxics such as resins or oils. There is no real odour with aspen bedding and it is completely dust free. It has a high rate of absorbency so it is able to keep cages and vivariums fresh and clean. Because aspen bedding is a light colour, seeing soiled bedding is easy to see. Owners can go in and remove the waste in the bedding easily. Should there be any parasites or pests that get into the vivarium or terrarium it will be easily spotted. Other substrates that are of a different colour could make it harder to see these unwanted visitors.
Hemp bedding can be used in a terrarium or vivarium that houses small mammals, lizards, tortoises or snakes. It is a very absorbent material that can swell to approximately five times its size when water is applied to it. It may sometimes be known as cannabis bedding which is made from hemp. With its ability to expand in volume it becomes a very loose substrate which makes it ideal for absorbing the worst odours and waste material. It works well with tortoises and reptiles that normally live in the desert. Reptiles such as the bearded dragons, uromastyx and collared lizards should like this type of substrate.
Another feature of this loose substrate is that it is excellent for burrowing reptiles. While reptiles from the desert region like this substrate it can also be used for a more humid vivarium or terrarium.
If the reptile should accidentally ingest some of the hemp bedding it will not harm the pet. The same cannot be said of sand or beech wood chips so if there is any chance that the substrate could be ingested hemp would be a better choice. Always research what type of products can be used, from substrates, plants and anything else that will go into the reptile enclosure. If the necessary information isn’t available to your satisfaction then consulting a professional is the solution. They will be able to tell you what substrate is best, what the reptile should eat and other facts about the care of the reptile.
Don’t forget to look into the other decorations that can accompany the substrate that is used in the viviarium. Making the environment as close to the natural one the reptile came from is the ultimate goal, so choose your products with care.
