Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ive heard peat moss works good, but is it too acidic for the eggs ?
Any info is appreciated.
Thanks
Ryan S.

I use peatmoss for the lay box and the hatch box

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"Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after."

Henry David Thoreau

Doug L

Hi,

No, peat is not too acidic for the eggs in a nest box. I have used slightly moistened, long grain sphagnum moss for decades in my nesting areas with great success. I have also used peat, coco peat and recently oak leaves as a nesting medium and these materials have worked equally well. I have found the keys to successful nesting areas are moisture, but not wetness, relative darkness and setting up the nesting area well before the female needs it. I would prepare a nesting area as soon as she begins to feel firm and slightly swollen post mating. To set up a nesting area when the female is frantically searching for a place to drop those eggs is too late and can result in laying complications and undue stress. good luck.

Will

"To set up a nesting area when the female is frantically searching for a place to drop those eggs is too late and can result in laying complications and undue stress"

Excellent point, Will!,....and I couldn't agree more!

~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com

Thanks everyone. Waiting on some black phase mex mex eggs. I will post some pics soon.

Ryan S.
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bajaboas.com

....timing can also be an important variable. An early offering is the best way to go.
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Jerry Kruse
www.zonatas.com

And God said, "Let there be zonata subspecies for all to ponder..."

Acidic (within reason of course) is a good thing actually. You will have no trouble in that regard.
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Mark

Shatty- how's it going, buddy?!?

Yeah man- sphagnum moss is excellent!

I used peat moss last year, and it's also very messy.

The sphagnum moss also tends to be more mold-resistant than the peat...

This was the sight I came home to today- deposited by my axanthic splendida:

//Todd

Im good Todd. How are you doing these days? Are you in Texas now? Hope everything is well and thanks for the info.
Ryan S.
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bajaboas.com