Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Where does one go to get spaghnum moss? Is that something pet shops usually carry?
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One female Eastern Indigo. That's right, just one snake. But she's my dream-snake, so back off man.

My Wal-mart has it (I buy it there sometimes), so your local Wal-mart, or any gardening store would probably have it. . .AND your local swamp! I got some from the back part of my property which is a wooded/boggy/swampy area. Here in S.E. North Carolina it is easy to find this time of year (But of course it is best to let it dry-out before use to kill any micro-organisms)

Zee

You can find it at any store with a garden shop. Normally you can find it as a decorative moss that's dried out for you. I use sphagnum moss for nesting boxes for the females.

There is also peat moss which is sold in bales or big bags. It has a texture more like loose soil. I use this as a substrate for hide-boxes. Great stuff.

Doug T

does drying out sphagnum kill all the bacteria? I was thinking of putting it in the microwave, but this would probably kill the moss. Any ideas??
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Anthony Chodan

www.gradeareptiles.com

No, I don't believe it kills the bacteria. I don't think it's that big of a deal either. It seems both snakes and eggs don't have much problem with it.

Doug T

>>does drying out sphagnum kill all the bacteria? I was thinking of putting it in the microwave, but this would probably kill the moss. Any ideas??
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>>Anthony Chodan
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>>www.gradeareptiles.com

yeah, I guess sphagnum is so acidic that it kills most harmful bacteria.
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Anthony Chodan

www.gradeareptiles.com

there have been some recent documented instances of herps coming down with severe resp. problems as a result of inhaling dust containing fungi from long stemmed, fibrous spaghnum moss. Just thought I would share this information. I personally am not using it any more.....for high humidity and egg laying boxes, I use strips of dampened newspaper.

Thanks Rob. I'll just use newspaper then.
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One female Eastern Indigo. That's right, just one snake. But she's my dream-snake, so back off man.