Shredded White Paper Ok For Temp. Substrate?

j.wolfspider

Arachnopeon
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Oct 9, 2007
Messages
16
I'm going to be giving a tarantula presentation for a State speech competition and I wanted to have my Chilean Rose on something white so people can see her. (She's nearly invisible on her brown substrate.) I was wondering if it would be ok to have her on shredded white paper for 6 or more hours?
 

Zoltan

Cult Leader
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May 20, 2008
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If it's paper, it's better non-shredded in my opinion..
 

Shogun

Arachnosquire
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Apr 15, 2008
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White paper towel would be totally fine. I think that would also make it more visable than shredded paper would.
 

j.wolfspider

Arachnopeon
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Oct 9, 2007
Messages
16
I didn't think of paper towels - do you think her claws would be okay and not get snagged in the fibers?

My thought in putting down shredded white paper is that I could put it on top of her current substrate so she could be visible while remaining comfy.

Also, I'm concerned about any chemicals in the white paper. What do you guys think?

Thank you!
 

Pestilence

Arachnobaron
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Mar 18, 2007
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white rubber matting could do the trick if its only for a while. no fibers to get snagged and neat to look at. just my thoughts though.
 

Steven Valys

Arachnobaron
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Aug 30, 2007
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331
vermiculite isn't white. she won't be as noticeable as with the paper towels.
 

Snakeguybuffalo

Arachnosquire
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Jan 14, 2008
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use "desert snow." You can pick it up at petco usually, and it's made as reptile bedding. For reptile shows we go to, we use it in all of our acrylic cases for our snakes, and our deli cups for our T's. Bright white, your rose will show up nice on it, and it's very soft. Great temp. substrate.
 

gvfarns

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The answer to your original question is yes. Especially if it's only for a few hours, you can keep your T on just about anything you want, including nothing, although shredded paper is probably less natural and desirable than most because it's too soft and unstable for the T to like. For optimal visibility you might do the paper towel or printing paper or something.

Though the question of an acceptable long term substrate that contrasts with the color of most T's is a good one, so I don't want to discourage posters who are addressing that issue.
 

crpy

Arachnoking
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Apr 19, 2008
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use "desert snow." You can pick it up at petco usually, and it's made as reptile bedding. For reptile shows we go to, we use it in all of our acrylic cases for our snakes, and our deli cups for our T's. Bright white, your rose will show up nice on it, and it's very soft. Great temp. substrate.
just an added question, what is desert snow made from?
 

gvfarns

Arachnoprince
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It's shredded hardwood pulp, apparently. I was actually wondering if it has the same downsides as other shredded wood products. Possible anti-bug oils, susceptibility to mold. I think those are the one's people mention. I've never used any wood products (unless you count coco fiber) so I don't know.
 

j.wolfspider

Arachnopeon
Joined
Oct 9, 2007
Messages
16
Desert Snow is a premium multi-purpose substrate for reptiles, amphibians, and other small terrarium animals. Made from pristine hardwood pulp that features enhanced clumping capability for easy spot cleaning. Non-toxic and nearly dust free, plus it is resists mold and decay.

So far I'm liking the sound of desert snow and paper towels. (if I can't find desert snow.) Does anyone know if a T's claws would be snagged on paper towels?
I still want to hear about any additional white and safe substrates you can think of.

THANK YOU!
 

crpy

Arachnoking
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Desert Snow is a premium multi-purpose substrate for reptiles, amphibians, and other small terrarium animals. Made from pristine hardwood pulp that features enhanced clumping capability for easy spot cleaning. Non-toxic and nearly dust free, plus it is resists mold and decay.

So far I'm liking the sound of desert snow and paper towels. (if I can't find desert snow.) Does anyone know if a T's claws would be snagged on paper towels?
I still want to hear about any additional white and safe substrates you can think of.

THANK YOU!
I do allot of shows and I use paper towel for good visability short term 1-8 hours and have had no ill effects. The spideys dont like any time their environment is disturbed but i tell them its just for a short while in the name of education to help them not get squished by people.

ps. I dont really tell them that;)
 

GartenSpinnen

Arachnoprince
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Aug 17, 2005
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Pretty much everybody i know uses paper towel to ship inverts. Its cheap, it works great as a padding, they show up nice on it, just use paper towel already :p.
Cheers
 
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