Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm looking for a substrate to use for a borrowing box. I was thiking about using spagnum moss, that is sold in large bags for soil amendments. I don't know if that is harmfull to snakes. Any ideas?
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What's wrong with using CAUTION?!?!?!
King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
~ Jorge Sierra www.SierraSnakes.com

Here's the deal with sphagnum. There is a particular type of fungus that can grow on the live moss, and that fungus is bad news for humans.

The sphagnum moss sold by the major reptile companies is not alive and has been cleaned and/or sterilized, so no issue with the possibility of fungus. Plus it is sold bone dry.

The moss sold at garden centers probably has been cleaned as well, and plus it is not alive. I think the bag should say whether it has been cleaned or not. It should be bone dry as well. I have never heard of anyone having a problem with the garden store moss, but I have always been too paranoid to use it with critters. I always buy the reptile stuff.

I have never myself seen fungus grow on sphagnum as used for humidity chambers. Where I live the moss dries out pretty quickly anyway before I mist it again. It is advised that any moss that does have some fungus be thrown away, the container washed, and new moss put in.

I also am pretty sure that the "live" moss sold for frogs and such is not really moss. I think it might be a lichen.

I was actually thinking about the one that looks like soil. It may be just called spagnum minus the moss? I haven't seen it in a long time, but I used to buy it to richen up my sandy Florida soil in the garden. Any suggestions on some burrowing substrates. I want it for some huge Mad Hogs, so I'll need a lot of it. Some of the reptile specific products can get a bit expensive for large amounts.
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What's wrong with using CAUTION?!?!?!
King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
~ Jorge Sierra www.SierraSnakes.com

Oh, you mean peat moss. Safe as long as no fertilizers. They sell "organic" peat. I know breeders from a long time ago that incubated eggs in peat moss before the alternatives were widely used.

A cheap and totally safe alternative is coir. This is sold as bricks. You have to soak them in warm water, you probably know what I am speaking of. I know it seems pricey, but it lasts a super long time between changes and 1 brick makes quite a bit of loose substrate. Plus completely safe, even if eaten. Does not mold either.

Yep, that's it...Peat Moss! I was trying to remember the right name, lol. OK but I'm not familiar wit the coir. Is that sold at garden centers?
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What's wrong with using CAUTION?!?!?!
King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
~ Jorge Sierra www.SierraSnakes.com

I use it. My females love to make nests in it. They do get it all over the box though...

:Mark
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Surrender Dorothy!

crimsonking.piczo.com/

OK I guess I need to get some. I am planning on making a two level enclosier with the bottom being made from a 40 Qt Sterilite tub. They can make all the mess they want in there.
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What's wrong with using CAUTION?!?!?!
King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
~ Jorge Sierra www.SierraSnakes.com