Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering what everyones preferences are concerning substrates. I notice quite a few of you use natural mulch-like substrates, and then others use newspaper. I actually use towels.

Also, I was wondering about Humid Hides. I really like Jeff's idea abut soaking terra cotta pots in water. Seems simple enough. I take it they are non-toxic? Any other ideas about himid hides? I don't have one in my BRBs habitat and want to incorporate one.
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~ Noel ~
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I use newsprint. You can go down to the newspaper and get a few end-rolls for free. The snakes don't mind it; they spend most of their time in the hide boxes anyway It holds water well and is really easy to clean out. At some point I may go to something more natural like bark or mulch, but for now they seem happy.

I use terra cotta pot bottoms for hides. I carved a chunk out of the edge of each one so they could get in and out, and half-fill them with damp spagnum moss after each cleaning. They hold a lot of water and really help the overall humidity. They're short enough so the snakes feel secure. To clean them I soak them in water for a while then scrub them really well. They're also abrasive enough to be a shedding aid.

>>I use terra cotta pot bottoms for hides. I carved a chunk out of the edge of each one so they could get in and out, and half-fill them with damp spagnum moss after each cleaning. They hold a lot of water and really help the overall humidity. They're short enough so the snakes feel secure. To clean them I soak them in water for a while then scrub them really well. They're also abrasive enough to be a shedding aid.

So where do you get spagnum moss from, anyway? A garden store? Craft store? Pet store? Internet? Do you have to worry about bugs with it?

Thanks for answering!

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~ Noel ~
My Email
My Photos

I get spagnum moss from a local greenhouse; they sell it in little bags. I imagine most garden centers would have it. It's really light and fantastically absorbent, and it smells kind of nice

I cook it in the oven before I put it in the cages, and after cleanings. I reuse it. After I get any snake poop or skin out of it, I rinse it a few times then cook it for an hour at 250 degrees. I've done that with some moss over 10 times, and you can hardly tell the difference between it and the moss fresh from a bag.

I use towels for my BRBs as well for the exact same reasons as you. I use sheets for my BCI.
Darious

In my displays I use the ground up Coconut (can't think of the name at the moment) comes in bricks and looks sort of like dirt. I keep it about a half inch thick, it holds moisture well, is safe if they eat it and I haven't seen any mold in it yet. When one makes a mess I just take it and the surrounding substrate out.
In some cages I use natural hides in others I use large dog water bowls, they are molded plastic I just cut out a hole so they can get under them. They seem to really like these and they stay moist and cool underneath.

I also use newspaper and paper towels in some it works well but doesn't look like much. I don't tend to have humidity problems I live near Houston so if anything we have to much lol.
Randy
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I don't care if the glass is half full or half empty !
I just want the full glass I paid for !