Fav moist substrate?

[Silvergrin]

I was wondering what your favorite substrate was for humid hides and egg boxes! So far I've used vermiculite and sphagnum moss. I'm pretty happy with either, but I was curious what else people use as I hope to buy in larger bulk; I've seen some hide boxes seem to have dirt or peat moss or something in them? Is there a particular term for soil that will be free from harmful chemicals? Any soils to particularly avoid? What is best at staying mold-free?

Thanks!

 

[RobbiesCornField]

For incubation, I use hatchrite (easier than vermiculite by far). I use sphagnum for a lay box. And I know this is going to sound bad, but I don't even have a humid hide.

 

[hiddenhollowherp]

I use fir bark/sphagnum moss/peat stuff I got online. I use some soft, fluffy moss around the hides, but they don't seem to know the difference.

 

[Silvergrin]

For incubation, I use hatchrite (easier than vermiculite by far). I use sphagnum for a lay box. And I know this is going to sound bad, but I don't even have a humid hide.

It doesn't sound bad! Most people don't, although I'd like to start because I've got enough snakes it's a little hard to keep track of who's about to shed, and they do seem to like them around that time.

 

[bitsy]

Humid hides (for shedding) - I use vermiculite if I have it, or more likely, damp kitchen roll that gets replaced every couple of days.

Laying boxes - I use vermiculite or sphagnum moss. Given a choice, the snakes seem to prefer the moss, but that's the more expensive option for me.

Incubation boxes - I sit the eggs on a bed of vermiculite, then cover them with a layer of sphagnum moss.

If you have a mould problem, sphagnum might be the way to go. It has mild natural antibacterial properties which could help.