Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Yes, another one of those substrate questions. And I can't decide the appropriate forum on which to post this.

I got two hatchling sunbeam snakes, Xenopeltis unicolor, a couple of weeks ago. Neat creatures, and they’re feeding readily on pinky mice. The person who hatched them said to keep the substrate very damp and had them on unmilled (long-fiber) sphagnum moss. I’ve found that product difficult to find in the past year or so and wonder if the publicity about a fungal contamination is to blame. Anyway, I’m looking for other possibilities for substrate. Does anyone have any suggestions? Does anyone out there have any experience with these snakes? I found one brief care sheet online by Petra Spiess, but that’s about it.

Thanks,
Joan

Spagnum is correct. I use it frequently and have never had any fungal problems. Sunbeams need to be kept moist or they do dehydrate and die. I use spagnum for them, Loxemus and all my tree vipers.
Frank

Hi Joan,

I use moss humidity boxes for all my snakes never had any fungal problems. I buy it at our reptile shows here in big Baggies (The frog section).

I pick though it, remove any foreign matter found then wash it clean. You can also get it at the Bean farm.

Later, Dann

I was sure this query would languish with no response. Should have known better with all the experienced folks out there.

Okay, I guess I’ll go with sphagnum moss, with cypress mulch as a possible fall back option when the snakes get bigger. It really is more difficult to find that unmilled sphagnum these days, in my area anyway. I don’t think I was clear about the fungus thing. I read about nursery workers and florists contracting sporotrichosis due to contact with sphagnum and assumed that was why no one seemed to carry it anymore. I looked at the Bean Farm site suggested, but the closest I saw they carried was regular green sheet moss. I’m sure I can find what I need online somewhere, though.

I’m usually confident of my abilities with dinky or difficult snakes and feel I have whatever the reptile equivalent of a green thumb is. But I’m not so sure with these little 7 gram sunbeams, so I want to give them every opportunity.

Thanks again,
Joan

I haven't ever kept sunbeams, but I wonder if you could use Cypress Mulch? You might have to pick out the big woody pieces, but it holds moisture well with regular spraying.

Just another alternative to consider.
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Chris Harrison

...he was beginning to realize he was the creature of a god that appreciated the discomfort of his worshippers - W. Somerset Maugham

Hey Joan,

I found Sphagnum in the classified section (cage /heating/lighting). A 5 kilo brick for $45.00 bucks. That’s will keep you in moss for some time.
Thought for sure the Bean Farm had it at one time or maybe it was sheet moss. I should wear my glasses more and cut down on the coffee.

Later, Dann