Like all reptile owners know, snakes require particular care in order to stay healthy. For corn snakes, this means choosing the right kind of bedding. Corn snakes like to burrow, and unlike other snakes, they don’t need too much humidity.
For this reason, the best bedding for corn snakes is often aspen shavings or cypress mulch. Here, we look at quality, cost, and customer reviews to choose the top beddings.
10. Sunseed Shredded Aspen Bedding for Small Nesting and Burrowing Animals
Ideal for: Small animals and reptiles
These aspen shavings are safe for pets and are specially processed to remove as much dust as possible, which makes them respiratory safe as well. The shredded aspen is perfect for digging into and creating burrows because it holds its shape well. In addition, the aspen is absorbent and is good at controlling odors.
- Has little dust
- Perfect for burrowing snakes
- Reduces messes and odors
- May be more expensive than other beddings
9. Carib Sea Coco Soft Reptiles Bedding
Ideal for: Pythons, boas, and corn snakes
This bedding is made from coconut husks and does not contain any chemicals, oils, scents, or pesticides. The bedding retains its shape well and can be used in either high or low humidity terrariums. In addition, the husk chips are absorbent and can help to keep the habitat clean and smelling fresh.
- Coconut husks with no chemicals or additives
- Absorbent
- Controls odors
- May not be as soft as other beddings
8. Living World Aspen Shavings
Ideal for: Small animals and reptiles
Although this bedding was made with small animals in mind, it’s also perfect for burrowing snakes, making it a good choice for the best bedding for corn snakes. The bedding is made completely of natural aspen, which is highly absorbent. In addition, the bedding is less expensive than other options.
- Cost-effective
- Made from all-natural aspen
- Perfect for burrowing
- May have larger pieces of wood included
7. Small Pet Select Aspen Bedding
Ideal for: Corn snakes and other small pets
This bedding is made completely from all-natural aspen and has no added chemicals, dyes, or oils. It’s recyclable and can be composted, which makes it an ecofriendly choice. These shavings are kiln dried so there’s less of a chance of mites.
- All-natural aspen with no added chemicals
- Kiln dried
- Eco-friendly
- May be dustier than other beddings
6. Kaytee All Natural Aspen Bedding
Ideal for: Small pets and reptiles
Because this bedding is made entirely of all-natural aspen shavings, it’s the perfect choice for one of the best bedding for corn snakes even though it was originally designed for small animals. There are no inks or scents added, and the bedding has been processed so as to eliminate debris and dust.
- All-natural aspen
- No scents, oils, or inks added
- Low on dust and debris
- May be more expensive than other beddings
5. Galapagos Cypress Tank Mulch Forest Floor Bedding
Ideal for: Reptiles and amphibians
This cypress mulch bedding can be used in either a high or low humidity habitat, and is good at absorbing waste and keeping the terrarium clean. It’s been washed and sieved so there’s less of a chance of debris in the bedding. In addition, this mulch is sustainably harvested.
- Sustainably harvested cypress mulch
- Washed and sieved
- Absorbs waste
- May include dirt
4. So Phresh Natural Aspen Small Animal Bedding
Ideal for: Snakes, amphibians, and tortoises
Made of all-natural aspen, these shavings are processed without any oils or scents so they’re safe for pets, making them a good option for the best bedding for corn snakes.
The bedding is also biodegradable, so it’s ecofriendly. In addition, this bedding is absorbent and helps to keep the habitat cleaner for longer.
- All-natural aspen with no scents added
- Eco-friendly
- Cost-efficient
- May be dustier than other beddings
3. Galapagos Aspen Digs Shavings Bedding
Ideal for: Burrowing reptiles
This bedding, made of aspen shavings, is sustainably harvested and ecofriendly because it can be recycled or composted. It has no oils, scents, or salt chemicals added, and it’s washed and sieved so as to be dust and parasite free.
- Aspen shavings with no chemicals added
- Perfect for burrowing
- Washed and sieved
- Shavings may be finer than in other beddings
2. Zilla Snake and Lizard Litter
Ideal for: Reptiles such as corn snakes
Heat treated so that they’re free of any parasites, these aspen shavings are all-natural. They are hypoallergenic and safe for snakes because they have no added oils or scents. In addition, because they hold their shape well, they’re excellent for burrowing into.
- All-natural aspen
- Heat treated
- No added chemicals
- Shavings may be too fine
1. Zoo Med Aspen Snake Bedding
Ideal for: Snakes such as corn snakes
This bedding is made entirely from natural aspen shavings. It’s perfect for burrowing into, which makes it a good choice for the best bedding for corn snakes. It also has no added chemicals, oils, or scents, so it’s completely safe for pets. In addition, the bedding is absorbent and helps to keep the habitat cleaner.
- All-natural shavings
- No added chemicals
- Absorbent
- Great for burrowing
- Quality may be inconsistent
Conclusion
Choosing the perfect bedding—one that will keep the habitat clean but is also safe for snakes—is an essential step in corn snake care. However, with so many choices available, it can be difficult to pick the best bedding for corn snakes.
Looking over the different options carefully and talking to other snake owners can help. What are some of your favorite beddings? Let us know if we’ve left any out!
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