Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I keep a wet box in my ball python's enclosure, filled with sphagnum moss that I keep damp by pouring water into the "box" whenever the moss dries out. I have recently noticed a bit of algae growing on top of the box. I made the box out of a piece of Tupperware with a hole cut in the top. It is right under his heat light since it is his favorite place to hide. Sunlight filtering into his enclosure isn't really a possibility, he is set up on an inner wall and the blinds are drawn 100% of the time. Can this algae harm him, or should I just leave it be? I have no problem changing the moss out periodically, but don't want to waste money if it's not necessary. Thank you.

Heather

I use one w/my Brazilians and it's a constant struggle cause they like to defacate in it, but they like it cool and moist, so I put up w/it! You really don't need it for Balls unless you would want to throw it in there during a shed cycle!

If you are sure that it is algae and not mold, then it probably won't bother him. If it is mold, then it needs to be removed and cleaned because mold can cause irritation, release spores, and cause various other problems (not to mention smelling pretty bad).

If you want to keep the box but reduce mold/algae growth, switch the substrate to cypress mulch instead of moss. The wood naturally reduces mold growth and smells nice for weeks. It holds moisture well too.
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Lincoln, NE
0.1 Pastel, 1.0 Pastel het Pied, 0.1 Pied, 0.1 Cinn, 1.0 Black Pewter, 1.1 Normals, 1.0 Thayeri, 0.1 Thayeri X Alterna, 0.1 crazy cat, 1.0 husband

You could use moist paper towels instead of moss. It's cheaper and cleaner.

I used to use paper towel, but I read somewhere that the snake resting on a damp towel can cause scale rot...
I have only read it once and do not remember where.
I hate using the moss stuff, so if some one can debunk this scale rot issue I would love it.

For my balls I use humid boxes too, 3 hides, 1 of which is humid.
My humidity stays around 50%...

I'm no expert and someone will correct me if I wrong, but paper towels are not the only reason for scale rot. Scale rot usually occurs from letting a snake rest on a constantly wet and or dirty surface. Newspaper, moss, mulch could do the same thing i'm sure.
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This is courage.. to bear unflinching what heaven sends. -unknown

1.0 Chocolate lab (Harley)
1.0 Basset Hound (Capone)
0.1 German Shepard (Misha)
0.1 leopard gecko (Nacho)
1.0 Normal ball python (Arwen)
1.0 pastel ball python (Merlin)
0.1 Spider ball python (Rogue)
1.0 100% het pied (Dojo)
1.0 Normal male (Rebel)

Buzzard, I never used a wet box with my BP's before this one, but this little boy is special. I got him from a rescue, and at some point pre-rescue he sustained a back injury. He gets shed stuck on that injury EVERY cycle without the wet box.
Bolito, I hadn't thought of cypress, although I had used it with my Dumie. I will try that out, thank you. And yes, I'm positive it is not mold. Does not look or stink like mold.