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5 Best Bedding Substrates for Corn Snake


Most recommended
Small Pet Select Natural Paper Bedding
  • Size: 113L
  • Kiln dried shavings
  • Recyclable and compostable
A good choice too
Zoo Med Forest Floor Bedding
  • Size: 8 L
  • 100% natural
  • Terrarium substrate
A good choice too
Zoo Med Laboratories SZMSB4 Aspen
  • Size: 4 Quarts
  • 99.9% dust free
  • Provides a safe
Zoo Med Aspen Snake Bedding 8 Quarts
  • 99.9% dust free
  • Size: 8 qt
  • Easy to clean
ZooMed Aspen Snake Bedding, 24 quart
  • 99.9% dust free
  • Easy to clean
  • Green product

Choose the Best Bedding Substrate for Corn Snake

Customer’s Choice: the Best Rated Bedding Substrates for Corn Snake

12 users answered this survey. Please help us improve this review!

25.00% of users selected Small Pet Select Natural Paper Bedding, 33.33% selected Zoo Med Forest Floor Bedding, 25.00% selected Zoo Med Laboratories SZMSB4 Aspen, 16.67% selected Zoo Med Aspen Snake Bedding 8 Quarts and 0.00% selected ZooMed Aspen Snake Bedding, 24 quart. Every month we analyze your answers and change our rating.

If you are a snake owner, you know that choosing the right bedding for your pet is important. Different snakes prefer different types of bedding, and corn snakes are no exception. In this blog post, we will discuss the best bedding substrates for corn snakes. We will discuss the pros and cons of various bedding substrates and help you decide which one is right for your pet!

Small Pet Select Aspen Bedding

Looking for a safe and sustainable bedding option for your small pet? Look no further than Small Pet Select Aspen Bedding!

Our all-natural aspen is kiln-dried to prevent mold and bacteria growth and is compostable/recyclable making it environmentally friendly. Plus, this bedding is dust-free and won’t cause respiratory problems like some other options. Your small pet will love snuggling up in our soft, comfortable bedding!

Pros
  • All Natural Aspen
  • Compostable/Recyclable
  • Kiln Dried
  • No Additives

Cons
  • Some buyers complain about the smell when opening the pack

Zoo Med Forest Floor Bedding, 8.8 Litre

Bring the rainforest to your snake terrarium with Zoo Med’s Forest Floor! The lush and green environment created by the use of Forest Floor is perfect for snakes, amphibians or tropical species.

It helps retain moisture in enclosures to provide humidity that’s essential when keeping these delicate animals healthy!

Pros
  • Natural
  • Affordable
  • Aids in humidity retention
  • Suitable for many reptiles

Cons
  • May harbor bacteria if not cleaned often


Zoo Med Aspen Snake Bedding

Introducing the perfect substrate for snakes and other small animals – Zoo Med Laboratories Aspen Snake Bedding! This bedding is the perfect solution for all your snake-related needs.

Not only does it come with an absorbent (191%!) material that will keep them dry and dust free, but our sinusoidal shape means there’s no need to worry about pesky allergies! It’s also great for lizards and other small animals, providing them with a naturalistic environment that simulates their natural habitat. So get your snake the perfect bedding – Zoo Med Laboratories Aspen!

Pros
  • Dust-free
  • Odorless
  • Non-toxic
  • 5 stars rated on Amazon

Cons
  • None found!


Zoo Med Aspen Snake Bedding

Zoo Med’s Aspen Snake Bedding is the perfect choice for any professional reptile keeper.
This naturalistic bedding substrate with the high absorbency ensures your habitat always smells fresh! Plus it can be used as bird nest or insect shelter too-so you won’t have an excuse not find something perfect on hand.

Pros
  • Can be used not only for reptiles
  • Easy to clean
  • Made from a renewable resource
  • Dust-free
  • 5 stars rated on Amazon

Cons
  • Doesn’t work well in a higher humidity enclosure

ZooMed Aspen Snake Bedding, 24 quart

The #1 choice by keepers worldwide provides a safe and absorbent surface. It is made from pure wood shavings-the perfect natural habitat!

It’s also odorless! Plus, it can be used for lizards, birds, turtles, tortoises, tarantulas, and insects – so you can get plenty of use out of this one product.

Pros
  • Odorless
  • Can be used not only for reptiles
  • 5 stars rated on Amazon
  • Easy to clean
  • Good price

Cons
  • Works not so well in high humidity

Buyer’s Guide

Why Do You Need a Bedding Substrate for Corn Snakes?

There are a lot of reasons why you need a bedding substrate for your corn snake.

The most important reason is that they need something to hide in and feel secure. Snakes are prey animals, so they feel the need to hide when they’re not out eating. A good bedding substrate will give them plenty of places to hide and make them feel comfortable.

Another reason you need a bedding substrate is that snakes like to burrow. If you don’t give them something to burrow in, they’ll start digging through your furniture and carpeting! Not only is that bad for your snake, but it’s also bad for your furniture.

A good substrate will keep your snake’s environment clean. Snakes can be messy eaters, and they’ll often go to the bathroom in their enclosure. The right bedding substrate will absorb most of the mess and make it easy to clean up.

One more reason you need a bedding substrate is that snakes often use it to regulate their body temperature. By choosing the right type of bedding substrate, you can help your snake stay warm or cool depending on the weather.

Finally, snakes need a place to shed their skin. A good bedding substrate will help them do that in a safe and healthy way. Moreover, it can help you keep track of when your snake is due to shed its skin.

If you’re not providing one already, I highly recommend that you start doing so! It’s an essential part of your snake’s environment and will make them much more comfortable.

Types of Bedding Substrates for Corn Snake

Types of Bedding Substrates for Corn Snake
So, now that you know why you need a bedding substrate for your corn snake, let’s talk about what types are available.

There are a few different types of bedding substrates you can use for your corn snake. Here are some of the most popular ones:

-Pine shavings: Pine shavings make a great bedding substrate because they’re absorbent and help keep your snake’s enclosure clean. Moreover, they don’t contain harmful chemicals that could potentially harm your snake.

-Aspen shavings: Aspen shavings are a good alternative to pine shavings, as they’re also absorbent and help keep the enclosure clean. They’re also a little less dusty than pine shavings..

-Sand: Sand can be a good bedding substrate for corn snakes, but it’s important to make sure that the sand is free of any harmful chemicals. You also need to make sure that your snake doesn’t ingest any sand, as this could lead to health problems.

-Reptile carpet: Reptile carpet is a popular bedding substrate because it’s absorbent and helps keep the enclosure clean. It also provides your snake with some traction, which can be helpful if your snake tends to slide around on its surface. 

-Paper towels: Paper towels are a good option if you’re looking for a cheap and easy bedding substrate. They can be easily replaced if they become soiled. However, paper towels may not provide your snake with enough traction, which could lead to them slipping around on the surface.

-Newspaper: Newspaper is a cheap and easy bedding substrate that can be easily replaced if it becomes soiled. However, it may not be as absorbent as other options, and it can also be dusty.

So, what’s the best bedding substrate for your corn snake? That depends on your individual needs and preferences. However, we recommend using pine shavings, aspen shavings, or reptile carpet as they’re all absorbent and help keep the enclosure clean.

If you’re looking for a cheap and easy option, paper towels or newspapers are good options. However, you should be careful to avoid any bedding substrates that may contain harmful chemicals that could potentially harm your snake.

Things to Look Out in A Good Bedding Substrate for Corn Snake

It is not so easy to find a good substrate for corn snakes. There are many things you have to take into account before making your purchase.

Grain Size

Types of Bedding Substrates for Corn Snake2
The first thing you need to think about is the size of the grain in the substrate. It should be taken into consideration because the snake will be spending a lot of time on it. A substrate with large grains can potentially cause injuries to the snake’s eyes and skin.

The best option for bedding is a substrate that has a small grain size. This will help reduce the chances of injury and also make it easier for the snake to move around.

A corn snake’s digestive system is not as efficient as a larger snake’s, so they can become impacted if they eat substrate that is too large. Look for a substrate with a grain size of fewer than 0.25 inches.

Also, if you are using a substrate with small grain size, be sure to keep it clean and free of debris. A dirty substrate can lead to health problems for your snake.

If you buy a substrate with small grain size, you won’t have to worry about it becoming impacted and you’ll be able to keep it clean easily. However, if you choose a substrate with large grains, you’ll need to take extra care to keep it clean and free of debris.

The best bedding substrate for a corn snake is one that has a small grain size, such as crushed paper or Aspen shavings. Avoid substrates with large grains, like sand or gravel, as they can cause injuries to the snake’s eyes and skin. Keep the substrate clean and free of debris to prevent health problems.

There are a variety of substrates available on the market that have different grain sizes. Be sure to do your research before choosing one for your snake. You want to make sure that you are providing the best possible environment for your pet.

Bag Size

Types of Bedding Substrates for Corn Snake4
The next consideration is bag size. You’ll want a bag that is big enough to fit your snake and at least two inches of bedding on all sides. A 20-gallon bag should be adequate for most snakes, but if your snake is large or you are using a deep substrate, you may need something larger.

Bedding is an important part of your snake’s environment and there are many different types to choose from. The best bedding for corn snakes depends on several factors, including the size of your snake, the type of substrate you’re using, the size of the enclosure, the number of snakes, and how often you’re changing it.

The size of your snake determines the size of the bag you will need. If you have a small snake, a 20-gallon bag should be big enough. Larger snakes will need something larger, like a 30 or 40-gallon bag.

Number of snakes in your collection also determines the size of the bag you’ll need. If you have more than one snake, you will need a bag that is large enough to accommodate all of them.

The size of the enclosure also matters. If your snake lives in a small enclosure, you’ll need a smaller bag. A larger snake living in a large tank may not need such a large bag.

The type of bedding you choose affects the size of the bag you need. If you choose a deep substrate, like aspen shavings, you’ll need a bigger bag than if you use a thin substrate, like paper towels.

How often you change the bedding also determines the size of the bag you need. If you change it every week, you’ll need a smaller bag than if you change it every month.

By taking into account the size of your snake, the size of the enclosure, the number of snakes in your collection, and the type of bedding you’re using, you can choose the best bag size for your needs.

Safety

Another important thing is safety. Safety must be considered because corn snakes can easily become injured or even killed if they ingest bedding substrate. Some substrates, such as pine shavings, can be dangerous if the snake ingests them. There are a few different types of bedding that are considered safe for corn snakes.

The first type of safe bedding is Aspen shavings. Aspen shavings are made from the wood of the aspen tree and are a natural, non-toxic product. They are also absorbent, which makes them a good choice for snakes that tend to urinate and defecate frequently.

The second type of safe bedding is newspaper. Newspaper is a cheap and easy option, and it can be easily replaced if it gets soiled. It is also non-toxic.

The third type of safe bedding is a fleece. Fleece can be used as a standalone substrate or in combination with another type of substrate. It is absorbent and easy to clean, and it is also non-toxic.

The safety of a bedding substrate for a corn snake also depends on the size of the snake. A small, young snake can be safely housed on Aspen shavings or newspaper, but a larger adult snake should be housed on fleece or another safe substrate.

When choosing a bedding substrate for your corn snake, safety should be the number one priority.

Price

Types of Bedding Substrates for Corn Snake3
The next thing you need to think about when choosing a bedding substrate for your corn snake is the price. There are a variety of substrates available, and some are more affordable than others.

One of the most affordable options is aspen shavings. Aspen shavings are easy to find and relatively inexpensive. However, they can be dusty and may not be the best option for snakes that have respiratory problems.

Another affordable option is the newspaper. Newspaper is easy to find and can be used as both a substrate and a nesting material. However, it can get dirty quickly and needs to be replaced often.

If you’re looking for something a little more luxurious, you may want to consider a substrate made from recycled paper. These substrates are typically more expensive than other options, but they are absorbent and can be used for both bedding and nesting material.

Finally, if the price is not a concern, you may want to consider a substrate made from sand or clay. These substrates are highly absorbent and can be used for both bedding and nesting material. However, they can be difficult to clean and may not be suitable for all snakes.

You can save money by buying a substrate in bulk, so be sure to consider the size of your tank when making your decision.

Anyway, consider your budget and the needs of your snake when choosing a bedding substrate.

Price is an important consideration when choosing a bedding substrate for corn snakes. Some substrates, such as recycled paper products or sand/clay, are more expensive than others. However, all of these substrates have benefits that may make them worth the price tag.

What NOT to Use as a Bedding Substrate for a Corn Snake

Here are some substrates you should avoid when setting up a home for your corn snake:

– Cedar – It should go without saying that cedar is toxic to snakes. Moreover, the fumes from cedar can be harmful to your snake and you.

– Newspaper – While it may be tempting to use newspaper as a bedding substrate for your snake, it is not recommended. Snakes can easily become tangled in the paper, which can lead to injury.

– Sand – Like with newspaper, using sand as a bedding substrate for your snake is not recommended. Snakes can easily ingest sand while they are burrowing, which can lead to health problems. While it’s absorbent and easy to clean up, the newspaper can be a bit slippery for snakes, which could lead to accidents.

– Wood chips – While wood chips may seem like a safe and natural option for a snake bedding substrate, they can actually be quite dangerous. Wood chips are often treated with pesticides or other chemicals that could be harmful to your snake.

– Sand or gravel – Using sand or gravel as a bedding substrate can cause your snake to become lodged in the small spaces, leading to suffocation.

– Soiled bedding – Soiled bedding can contain harmful bacteria and fungus that can cause your snake to become ill.

So remember these bedding substrates to avoid when setting up a home for your corn snake: cedar, newspaper, sand, gravel, wood chips, and soiled bedding.

There are many safe and suitable bedding substrates available that will make your snake’s home comfortable and healthy.

Useful Tips for Corn Snake Owners

Here are a few useful tips for anyone who is a new corn snake owner, or is thinking of becoming one:

-Provide a hiding place: Corn snakes need a place to hide, especially when they are young. A good hiding place can be a plastic container with a hole cut in the side or an unused cardboard box.

-Offer different types of food: Corn snakes will eat both live and dead prey. Be sure to offer a variety of food items to your snake, including mice, rats, birds, and eggs.

-Keep the temperature consistent: Corn snakes need a warm environment to stay healthy. Make sure you keep the temperature in your snake’s enclosure between 80 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

-Monitor the water level: Be sure to always keep a sufficient amount of water in your snake’s enclosure. If the water level gets too low, your snake may become dehydrated.

-Check for signs of illness: If your snake begins to lose weight, has trouble breathing, or appears sluggish, take it to a veterinarian immediately.

– Be sure to keep your snake’s enclosure clean by spot cleaning as needed and changing the bedding substrate every few weeks.

– There are many different types of bedding substrates available, so be sure to choose one that is safe and appropriate for your snake.

– There are a variety of bedding substrates to choose from, but the most popular option is Aspen shavings.


FAQ

Can you use sand for corn snake’s bedding?

No, sand is not a recommended bedding substrate for corn snakes. It can cause health problems if ingested and can also be a harbor for bacteria.

How Often Should You Change Corn Snake Bedding?

Bedding should be changed at least once a week, but more often if needed. If you notice the bedding becoming soiled or wet, change it immediately.

Is coconut husk substrate good for Corn Snakes?

Yes, coconut husk substrate is a good bedding choice for corn snakes. It is absorbent and helps to regulate humidity levels. It also makes cleaning up after your snake easy.

Useful Video: Top 3 Best Substrates for Corn Snakes

Final Thoughts

When it comes to choosing the best bedding substrate for your corn snake, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. The most important factor is that the substrate is safe and non-toxic. You also want to choose something that will be comfortable for your snake and will help regulate its body temperature.

Some of the best bedding substrates for corn snakes include aspen shavings and paper towels. Aspen shavings are a good option because they are absorbent and help to keep the snake’s enclosure clean. Paper towels can be used as a temporary substrate while you are cleaning the enclosure, and they can also be used to create a nesting area for your snake.

Now you know what to look for when choosing a bedding substrate for your corn snake. Keep these factors in mind and you can’t go wrong!

Whatever substrate you choose, make sure to keep it clean and dry. You should replace the bedding substrate at least once a month to prevent bacteria and mold from growing.

We hope you found this article helpful and informative. Thanks for reading!