Hognose Snake Habitat Substrate Tips

Video Transcript

"There is a number of different substrates you can use to put into your Hognose Snake's enclosure. Some of the best substrates to use is Aspen shavings, that's what I use, they are very absorbent, they don't create a lot of dust. Or you can used recycled newspaper, both of these substrates are available at pet stores. Things you want to avoid, you do not want to use pine shavings simply because pine shavings give off a lot of dust which is not healthy for the animal, it's not healthy for the humans either if you breathe in a lot of that dust. You also want to avoid cedar shavings which give off oils which can harm your reptile. In the tank, you want to create a little hiding spot, cork bark works well. You definitely want to have a water dish. A water dish that's big enough or large enough that a snake can comfortably fit in and soak. Hognose Snakes will, every now and then, soak themselves in water. Especially before they shed, it just helps them to shed a lot easier. When you're filling your water dish make sure you only fill it about half way. You don't want to fill it up all the way as the snake goes in it, it will cause an overflow and get everything in your tank wet. For your neonates, for the babies, all you need for substrate, really, is a paper towel. I put a rock in here just so the baby can rub on it when it sheds its skin. Also, a piece of cork bark in here, as you can see she was hiding comfortably under it. And there is a little water container right here. I just used the top of a baby jar of baby food which makes a convenient little water dish."