Sphagnum Moss?

I've heard that sphagnum moss can be used for bedding because it looks good and helps snakes shed. but then i thought ye sure enough it would look nice at first but what about after a week wouldn't it be all dried up and nasty? Any comments?

I use sphagnum in my tree frog tank. You have to keep it very moist with twice daily mistings in order for it to look good. Otherwise, yes, it would dry up. The relative humidity in my TFT is much higher than what they want for Corn Snakes- anywhere from 70-90%, where Corn Snakes should center around 50%.

I have heard of people using sphagnum moss in shed boxes, for a lizard that's having trouble shedding, such as a leopard gecko. So it might be useful with snakes in the same way. But I don't think I'd use it all over the cage.

I use the moss for a humid hide in the winter when there is less humidity in the house. I never had problems in the winter, but as the temps warmed and the humidity rose, I found that the moss tended to mold quickly.

Have you seen the containers people use for egg-laying?... a plastic shoebox with a hole cut in the lid? You could put some moss in something like that and your snake would probably like hiding and burrowing in there.

While moss works great in a humid /moist hide, do not use is as general substrate for the viv. It would make the viv too damp, resulting in blister disease or respiratory illness. Stick with what works--aspen, newspaper, and the like.

BeckyG said:

While moss works great in a humid /moist hide, do not use is as general substrate for the viv. It would make the viv too damp, resulting in blister disease or respiratory illness. Stick with what works--aspen, newspaper, and the like.

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You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to BeckyG again.

I agree!

Good job Becky.

OK thanks for your experience :cheers: