Snake Bedding: Best Substitutes You Can Find in Your Home

Snakes make wonderful pets and don’t need a lot of attention. You will only need a properly-sized cage with enough bedding and a secure cover. Although bedding purchased from a pet shop is attractive and can look nice, it is usually very expensive. There are many options available in your home that will be far cheaper.

We have scoured the web and tried to find alternatives to pet store brands. Here is our list. We’ll be discussing cost, cleaning up, burrowing, and absorbency to help you choose a safe and economical substrate for your snake tank or cage.

This is our list of alternatives to snake bedding from pet stores.

1. Newspaper

Our first list of household items that can be used as snake bedding will include the most common bedding item, newspaper. Newspapers are easy to find in most homes and you can usually get them for free. It is easy to clean and you don’t have to take it out every time you clean it.

A newspaper substrate has a downside. It doesn’t absorb well so it will spread waste much faster than other substrates. The cage may also smell over time because it doesn’t absorb odors. The snake will not be able to burrow because it provides very little environmental feedback.

• It’s easy to find
• Often free
• It is easy to clean
• It doesn’t matter if it is all removed during cleaning

• Not very absorbent
• No odor protection
• There is no feedback for snakes
• You cannot burrow

2. Paper Towels

Paper towels look very similar to newspapers in that they can be found in most homes and are cheap. It is easy to lay paper towels in your tank or cage and then replace them as they become dirty. They are absorbent and won’t spread waste as far.

Paper towels are not as good as newspapers. It won’t absorb any odor and allow your pet to burrow. The paper towel is not as odorless as a snake’s natural habitat.

• More absorption
• Simple cleanup
• It’s easy to find
• It’s affordable

• No odor absorption
• You cannot burrow

3. Carpet

You can also use carpeting as bedding for your snake. You’ll probably have some extra carpeting that you can use to make a bed for your snake if you have already carpeted the floor. You will need enough carpet to cover the floor twice so that you can clean the first while you clean the second. Carpet is a natural, more comfortable surface for your snake than newspaper or paper towels and can absorb more water.

Carpet can get soiled quickly, making it difficult to clean. The carpet can take several days to clean and dry so that it is safe to place back into the cage. It will not absorb any odor and will not allow your pet to burrow.

• Comfortable surface
• Absorbent

• It is difficult to clean
• No odor absorption
• It is necessary to cover the floor twice.

4. Cypress Mulch

Although not everyone will have cypress mulch, there are likely to be some. It is available in many gardening stores and has many uses in your yard. It is very comfortable for snakes and can be used to burrow in. It retains humidity and has a pleasant smell.

However, there are downsides to this method. To prevent your snake from being injured by living organisms in the mulch, you will need to bake it in the oven for between 30 and 45 minutes.

• Snakes can burrow
• Smells nice
• Comfortable surface
• Absorbent

• You may need to buy
• Baked goods are required

Other great snake bedding materials

These are not the most common bedding materials, but they can be used as long-term bedding.

Aspen Shavings

Aspen shavings have a pleasant, absorbent scent. Aspen shavings are great for burrowing and their light color makes it easy to spot waste. Aspen shavings have a downside. If you eat them, they can cause digestive problems. Because it is lightweight, it can be messy to transfer to the cage. It can also grow mold if left to dry for too long. Experts consider aspen shavings to be the best bedding material.

Coconut Husk

Because coconut husk absorbs fluids and odors, it makes great snake bedding. It is soft, comfortable, as well as naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial. Coconut husk can be dangerous for snakes as it is often in large pieces, which could cause digestive problems. It is also not recommended for burrowing and can be used to conceal the waste.

Coconut Fiber

Coconut Fiber is similar to coconut husk, but it is a finer substrate with a soil-like texture. It is ideal for burrowing. Because there’s more surface area, coconut fiber is also more absorbent. It is less likely that your pet will eat it and develop digestive problems. Coconut fiber can be very dusty and get all over your house.

Bedding to Avoid

Let’s talk about some of the bedding options you should avoid.

Cedar and Pine

Evidence suggests that pine and cedar can cause skin problems, immune system dysfunction, and other health issues in your snake. If your pet has a medical condition, it can also cause problems with its lungs.

Sand

Sand is a natural bedding material that snakes use in their natural habitat. It can also get caught between their skins, which can cause problems. The snake might also eat the sand which could lead to impaction which can be fatal.

Crushed Walnut Shells

Although crushed walnut shells are soft to the touch, they can also contain sharp shells that could cut the skin of your snake and cause more internal damage if swallowed.

Summary

Carpet is our top choice among all the bedding options in your home. A carpet is a great option as it looks more like grass than newspapers or paper towels. For short-term use, newspaper paper towels, or carpets can be fine. However, if your snake is suffering from a medical condition that will require you to keep an eye on them, it should be avoided. We recommend using a better substrate such as coconut fiber or aspen shavings in the long term.

We hope you enjoyed this guide to affordable snake beds. If you found this guide helpful and have learned something, please share it on Facebook or Twitter.