Live plants???

I have been keeping a snow corn for almost 2 years now. I have had no major problems so far, and i would like to keep it that way.Are live plants safe for snakes. I know wat kind of plants are compatible with corn snakes, but i was wondering if and bugs or anything could affect the snakes well being. Any info on this would be greatly appreciated.

Live plants, to put it frankly, are annoying in snakes cages.

1. The potting soil will be EVERYWHERE in no time. Corns love to dig.

2. The plant will most likely be ruined and/or dead within the week. The corn will dig in the soil, up root roots, tear leaves etc.

If you don't want to be cleaning up the cage like everyday, and buying new plants constantly, use fake.

bmm

I used to keep live plants in my corns tank and believe me its not worth the hassle! As Bmm said, the soil gets everywhere, undoubtedly you will have a panic moment when you can't find your corn *anywhere* only to eventually discover (after pulling the room apart) that he has been hiding right at the bottom of the pot and there is no way you'll get him out without wrecking the plant

And the major factor that made me get rid of plants: mites. You get soil mite and there is NO WAY to get rid of them. You can hardly bleach or micro a live plant!! There are also other little bugs like fruit flies which will be attracted to your plant (depending on whet type you have). All in all its easier and cleaner to keep plastic ones.

Another thought~~~~~~:~

I mostly agree. Plants are a hassle. BUT they can look nice.
I have one tall tank that Cornflake and Cornpuff live in that has live plants. The plants I bought in a chain pet store which I "quarantined" for several months. They don't have soil just a little sponge to hold them up and you keep them in water. they fit perfectly into a "rock" planter holder with a cup and all I do is add water every couple of days. They come in a number of varities. The snakes do tend to curl up around them but they have been in the tank with them now for, I don't know at least six months and no worries. As they get bigger (the snakes) this may not work if they smush the plants but for for now it seems to do OK. I could send a photo if you want. ~~~~~~~:~ Sam

thanx

thanx for all the replies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Live Plants~~~~~~~~~~:~

I promised that I would get a photo on with some of the plants I use, but my computer is in the shop and my laptop is not set up to download photos. Sorry...but as soon as I get it together I'll send them out and post. Sam ~~~~~~~~~:~

Finally ~~~~~~:~

Live plants sit in cups with water and a little sponge to hold them up. Cornpuff had to get in the photo session. Took me forever to get my computer back and running. ~~~~~~~:~ Sam

I would like to put some live plants in my tank as well. What types of plants are those that you used? You said that you have them secured within the little plants with rocks, and use a sponge to keep them moist, correct?

Actually~~~~~~:~

The plants I got at Petco, specifically labeled for reptiles in terrariums. They had a wide variety. The rock is made to hold the plants so there is no instability. It's the rocks that have the little cup plant holders built right in. The plants have the sponge that they have been growing around and you just drop them into the "rock plant holder" Simple, clean, no dirt. I see problems in the future when the roots over grow the little pots or the snakes get so big they crush them but for now it's working and they love to wrap around the plants and just sit. Hope that helps. I also bought a "tree" that is hollow and has fake leaves on the top they craw inside and hide as well as sit on top checking things out. I could seen a shot of that if you like. Sam ~~~~~~~:~

Ya, I would love to see. I checked out PetCo online, and I didn't see anything close to what you have. Oh well... I was just curious to learn about it, although I am sure my snakes may soon to be to big anyway. I am not sure how old they are. I think they may be Yearlings, I don't know for sure. I really need to measure them, but they don't voluntarily lay out flat and wait for me

thanx