Bedding may not seem like the most important choice when it comes to ball python care, but it can actually have a big impact on the health of your snake. For that reason, it’s vital to choose the best bedding for a ball python.
Snake beddings that retain humidity but don’t become soggy are a good choice. Here, we look at moisture retention, material, and cost to choose some of the best beddings.
10. Zoo Med Terrarium Moss
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[su_highlight background=”#f8f8a9″]Ideal for: Snakes, toads, frogs, and salamanders[/su_highlight]
This bedding is all-natural sphagnum moss, and is packaged without any added chemicals or colorants. The moss holds moisture well, which helps to maintain a high humidity level in the terrarium.
High humidity can help ball pythons shed more easily, so this is crucial. The bedding is also available in five size options, so you can choose the amount and price that works best for you.
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- All-natural sphagnum moss
- Retains humidity
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- May have a strong smell
- May include twigs
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9. Galapagos Terrarium Sphagnum Moss
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[su_highlight background=”#f8f8a9″]Ideal for: Reptiles and amphibians[/su_highlight]
This natural sphagnum moss is packaged when it’s at its leafiest, so it lives for a long time and helps to keep the habitat humid and comfortable, making it a good choice for the best bedding ball python.
The moss is washed and sieved so it’s free of debris and particles. It’s also harvested in a sustainable manner.
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- Harvested sustainably
- Maintains humidity
- Washed thoroughly
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- May contain artificial dyes
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8. Exo Terra Coco Husk
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[su_highlight background=”#f8f8a9″]Ideal for: Snakes and lizards[/su_highlight]
Coconut husk is one of the best bedding ball python owners choose because it’s a natural material and it helps to maintain the humidity in the terrarium. This particular bedding is designed to stay moist without getting soggy or moldy. In addition, the bedding has no additives or chemicals.
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- All-natural coconut husk
- Maintains humidity
- No chemicals or additives
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- May be slightly dusty
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7. Pangea New Zealand Sphagnum Terrarium Moss
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[su_highlight background=”#f8f8a9″]Ideal for: Reptiles and frogs[/su_highlight]
This natural sphagnum moss has no dyes or additives, so it’s safe for ball pythons. It’s also an excellent way to maintain humidity in the habitat. In addition, this moss comes in long pieces, so it covers more space and won’t break apart like other moss bedding products.
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- Long, dense pieces of moss
- No dyes
- Maintains humidity well
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- May need to be rehydrated
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6. Fluker Labs Repta-Bark All Natural Bedding
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[su_highlight background=”#f8f8a9″]Ideal for: Snakes, lizards, and turtles[/su_highlight]
This bedding is made of entirely natural materials, so it’s ecofriendly and safe for snakes, making it a good choice for the best bedding ball python. It also helps to maintain humidity.
In addition, this bedding is designed to absorb waste, which keeps the habitat cleaner and makes for a fresher smell.
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- All-natural materials
- Maintains humidity
- Absorbs waste
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- May develop mold in high humidity
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5. Zoo Med Forest Floor Bedding
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[su_highlight background=”#f8f8a9″]Ideal for: Snakes such as ball pythons[/su_highlight]
Cypress mulch is a good choice for the best bedding ball python because it’s very good at maintaining a high humidity without getting moldy or soggy. The mulch is also very soft so it won’t scratch or catch in the snake’s scales.
In addition, there are several size options, and this bedding is less expensive than other bedding choices.
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- Cost-friendly
- Maintains a high humidity level
- Soft cypress mulch
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- Some customers found mites
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4. Exo Terra Forest Plume Moss
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[su_highlight background=”#f8f8a9″]Ideal for: Amphibians and snakes such as ball pythons[/su_highlight]
This moss is packaged without dyes or chemicals added to it, so it’s all-natural and safe for snakes. It soaks up water well and maintains humidity without creating mold. In addition, this moss is compressed, and can be rehydrated, so it’s extremely cost-efficient.
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- Expands after rehydration
- Maintains humidity well
- All-natural
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- May have a strong scent
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3. ReptiChip Premium Coconut Reptile Substrate
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[su_highlight background=”#f8f8a9″]Ideal for: Pythons, boas, and other snakes[/su_highlight]
This coconut hull bedding is made of all-natural, organic materials. The bedding is designed to expand greatly when it’s rehydrated, and it then retains moisture to keep the habitat humid.
This makes it one of the best bedding ball python owners love. The bedding also helps to absorb waste and reduce odors.
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- Organic and ecofriendly
- Expands, so it’s cost-friendly
- Absorbs waste and reduces odors
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- Some customers found pieces of plastic in the bedding
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2. Exo Terra Plantation Soil
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[su_highlight background=”#f8f8a9″]Ideal for: Reptiles and amphibians [/su_highlight]
This coconut husk bedding is completely natural and has no additives or dyes in it. It’s designed to hold water in order to maintain a high humidity. In addition, it’s soft so snakes can bury into it, which can help with easier, more complete shedding.
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- Soft material encourages digging
- All-natural coconut husk
- Maintains humidity
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- May develop mold in high humidity
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1. Zoo Med Eco Earth Loose Coconut Fiber Substrate
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[su_highlight background=”#f8f8a9″]Ideal for: Reptiles and amphibians[/su_highlight]
This coconut fiber substrate does not need to be rehydrated but can instead be used straight out of the bag. It’s designed to help maintain a high humidity in the terrarium.
In addition, this bedding helps to absorb and break down waste, which keeps the habitat cleaner and reduces odors.
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- Absorbs waste and odors
- Doesn’t need to be rehydrated
- Made with coconut fiber
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- May be dustier than other beddings
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Conclusion
Snakes can be very particular when it comes to what they need to have long, healthy lives, and a quality bedding is an important part of that. Choosing the best bedding can be difficult because there are so many options and so many differing opinions on what works well.
Seeing which best bedding ball python owners choose can help, though—let us know what you use and what your favorites beddings are!
The TPR Team invites you to read informative pieces and specialized opinions from experts in all things dogs, cats, birds, fish, hamsters, rabbits, and all things pet, in general.