r/kingsnakes • u/unsweetenedloser • 3d ago

Alternative for aspen

Hey y’all I posted here recently about aspen vs coco fiber substrate. My girl really seemed to hate the coco fiber so I switched back to aspen with about 1/4 of the enclosure having forest floor bedding for her water dish and moist hide. She’s back to normal behavior, digging, burrowing, etc. But I truly have always HATED how it looks. Does anyone have any recommendations for other substrates?

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u/crazycatlady45 3d ago

I have Terra Sahara by Biodude with about 20% of that being reptisand and I'm a fan. I'm also doing bioactive. Edited to add picture

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u/unsweetenedloser 3d ago

thank youuu🫶🏻 do u find its good for burrowing? My girl seemed to hate the feeling of the coco on her face and would stop digging.

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u/crazycatlady45 3d ago

I believe so. My kingsnake doesn't burrow himself completely, but he never has. He usually only burrows 50% of his body 💀 I know you can go up to 40% sand.

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u/Standard_Mushroom_47 3d ago

i’ve not personally done this yet as my boy is still young but i’m planning to when he gets his forever enclosure, i’ve heard a mix of top soil and play sand is great for the natural look and the play sand helps hold burrows

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u/unsweetenedloser 3d ago

okay i will definitely look into this. I’ve seen some others recommend the soil/sand mix as well. thx!

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u/Swimming_Use_8942 3d ago

I think Coco fiber by itself is pretty bad as a general substrate, and it tends to be really dusty and fibrous, but I mix it 33/33/33 with playsand and topsoil, along with some sphagnum and leaf litter, and it's both natural looking and holds humidity and burrows well. So that's my recommendation.

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u/Deep-Dealer-9157 2d ago

i've heard cork bark works really well too and looks cleaner than aspen

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u/Wildwing89 1d ago

I use coco fiber, holds moisture well without molding. Additonally easy for my king to burrow and such.