Several items around the home can also be used as snake substrates and can be a good back up replacement should you temporarily run out of your usual bedding. Newspaper is a cheap alternative, although it does hold moisture and isn’t suitable for burrowing snakes. Paper towels are fluffier and can be shredded but they are still highly absorbent. Carpet remnants or artificial turf can be used for non-burrowing snakes and can also be washed, although they will get dirty quickly so are high up on the maintenance scale.