Reptile & Amphibian Forums

is this just a plain "no no" or is it alright as long as the plants havent come in contact with chemicals? i have a couple neat plants in my back yard and some moss that is or looks like pillow moss in my backyard. would it be safe to use in my viv?

I don't see any harm in trying this out. I'm assuming you live in a relatively warm environment, where the plants you mention are at least sub-tropical and don't require seasonal periods of cold or drought, where they are dormant. As long as they are free from insecticides, fertilizers and other chemicals, they should be safe enough to try out. If they die off or don't work, you can always remove them. You may get some different worms and insects of various sorts, but if you have frogs, they will take care of most of them, or they will just come and then go away. Slugs, and certain snails can become an annoying incidental introduction problem, but even they are seldom fatal to the plants, and don't bother the frogs. You can hand pick them off as you see them.

I live in a very cold winter environment with decidedly seasonal alpine or high desert plants that I would never consider introducing to a tropical vivarium. But if your vivarium conditions are close to the outside conditions, it's relatively safe to give them a try.
-----
Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
6 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
7 D. imitator
6 D. leucomelas
6 D. pumilio Bastimentos
4 D. fantasticus
6 P. terribilis mint and organe
4 D. reticulatus
4 D. castaneoticus
2 D. azureus
4 P vittatus
2 P. lugubris

As long as the plants haven't come into contact with any chemicals and are washed really well they shouldn't hurt your frogs, but the plants themselves might not do so well, or they'll do so well they you'll be constantly trimming them back. But if you think it'll work, go for it! Post some pics when you're done so we can all see how it turned out!