Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi All,
I was looking for Sphagnum moss at Home Depot for my baby BRB’s plastic shoe box enclosure. The closest thing I found to Sphagnum moss was something called, “Green Moss” by a company named “Hiawatha”. (URL below) The label read that it is a decorative green moss gathered from the rain forest of the Pacific Northwest. Like most of these products it is used as a top dressing for potted plants(green houses etc). I believe it to be 100% natural but wanted to check with people and ask if this is safe to use before adding it to my baby Brazilian Rainbow Boa’s set up. For now I am holding off, as I want to be sure. I am still searching for straight 100 % Sphagnum moss, but again today the closest I found is Peat Moss that contains Sphagnum moss but also contains other natural composites.

Also another quick question, is there any use for Peat Moss with baby BRB’s under 24 inches? Just thought I would ask as I have a huge package of it.
Thanks Steve
Hiawatha Green Moss

Thats the stuff I use in my enclosure. I think it is excellent (especially when laid as a thick layer on Orchid bark). The pretty green color (in the picture I had just changed out the substrate, so it was very fresh) will eventually fade to a brown but even then I think it looks nice and it holds moisture very well. My snakes definitly like it.
Paul

Got anymore pics?
-----
"It's my snake, I trained it, so I'm going to eat it!" - Mad Max, The Road Warrior

One of my favorite things to do is photograph my snakes. If you'd like to see more I have a website which is just a place to put my pictures so that I can post them: PaulsSpot@www.msnusers.com
Thanks,
Paul

This should access the site.
http://www.msnusers.com/PaulsSpot

Is it difficult to find and clean out feces & urates? Any kind of odor with it? That stuff looks really nice. How often do you have to change it out?
-----
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.0.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"

I take a flashlight and go over the cage weekly; it is difficult to find the feces and often I'll come across a mummified one. What I do is remove all the material around the poops in a big scoop. I use a thick (3-4" layer of orchid bark under the moss. I'm embarrased to say I that only clean the enclosure completely about twice a year (gasp). The substrate becomes pretty biologically friendly after awhile, but you'll laugh, I think they actually break down the feces I miss. I've never seen a bug of any kind on either of my snakes. The enclosure always smells earthy and nice, never, even after months of the same substrate, does it smell like urine or poop (you can smell the poop when its fresh and this is usually my clue to go hunting).
The picture shows the moss after its gone brown (usually takes a few weeks in my enclosure because I always keep it fairly dark in there, if you had plenty of light I think it would stay green longer).
Paul

I'm wondering why you prefer the Hiawatha Green Moss over spaghum moss? Any big differences/advantages?
-----
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.0.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"

I'm not sure what the brand name on the moss is (my last batch I bought at home depot so I figured it was the same). I usually get the stuff at any nursery of hardware store and its sold to put around potted plants. I'm not sure what spaghnum (?) moss really is. Once I asked my ex to pick me up some moss when she made a run to the nursery and she came back with a big bale of spaghnum moss and it looked like compost, so I just stick to the stuff that looks like moss to me (California guy).
Definitly a good price at the Home Despot (Orchid bark is pretty reasonable there also).
Paul

If you ever find out what type of moss you're using, I'd be interested in knowing. I know nothing about plants so I have no idea what it is.

Thanks for the info!
-----
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.0.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"

I use Luster Leaf's long-fiber sphagnum moss bought from Home-depot or Lowe's. It's inexpensive about $3.25 for 432 cu. inch. I buy a case at a time so I don't have to go often(I spend too much $ in those kinds of stores). The local nurseries sell another brand for about 3 times the cost.

When using moss as a substrate do you wet it, mist it, etc? Also, are there any types of moss that are absolute no-no's with snakes?
-----
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.0.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"

I use cypress mulch for substrate and sphagnum moss in the hide.
I do not mist daily. My humidity level stays at the point of condensation for 5 to 6 days after a cleaning, which I do every Sat or Sun. I clean the enclosure, feed, and replace with new mulch and new moss at that time. If they poop or pass urates between that time it is simply removed within 24 hours. I keep a large water bowl directly above an under tank heater. The water bowl takes up 20% of the floor space. I useOceanic Lizard lounges model 70 which allows me to adjust the vents without much effort so that I can contain more heat/humidity as needed. It takes about 24 hours for the set-up to change according to how I choose to cap or un cap the vents. They are a bit hard to clean, but I like the security of the little latches. (The last thing I want is to have a snake out loose in my house with my other pets) If during the summer when I run my air conditioner 24 hrs a day, it dries out to the point I have no condensation on the glass, I pour luke warm water in it slowly and not on any heating element, being careful not to raise the glass temp too fast so I won't crack it. It seems Lizard Lounges are not so popular with keepers, but I like them because they offer security of escape and contain lots of space under them. If I didn't have so many other creature to protect I would use a rack system.