Anyone use this stuff or similar for humid bedding?

[SWDK]

Wondering if anyone uses this type of substrate for bedding in a humid hide or an enclosure that needs higher humidity? It's really cheap and is all natural with no additives. I'm thinking about using it as bedding for my humid hides.

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r254/hiker4twenty/Snakes/5DDBB670-5504-414B-A800-3E53F3383E04.jpg (http://s146.photobucket.com/user/hiker4twenty/media/Snakes/5DDBB670-5504-414B-A800-3E53F3383E04.jpg.html)

[trailblazer295]

I use spagnum moss for a humid hide but only 1 hide. Don't know the difference between the two. Be interesting the results in a cage.

[dannybgoode]

For reasons I cannot remember peat is not recommended for reptiles. Also peat stripping is not environmentally sound.

I'd just use topsoil - the stuff with no added anything - mixed with coco coir and maybe orchid bark. Sphagnum moss is an excellent choice for a humid hide or to add to the mix for species that require higher humidity.

[TRD]

Peat is taken from area's that rely on the stuff to be there... basically buying peat isn't environmentally friendly... just like using cypress mulch is destroying very precious eco systems. Also peat when dried up becomes very dusty.

Coco is actually better in about every way, and it's a waste product. There's no reason not to use it really.

I mix my ground with compost without anything in it, coco, coco husk, some sand, fir bark, crumbled leaves (for lack of not knowing the English names; Quercus, Acer, Platanus leaves). Can plant about anything in it really (from succulents to tropical plants), and keep anything on it.

[pet_snake_78]

In my environment, coco fiber molds more readily than cypress, so honestly I do prefer the cypress mulch.

[trailblazer295]

I have also had cocohusk mold in warmer months as well but never with cypress, I understand the comments of environment. I've looked at fine ground but heard mixed reviews. Some so no plug pits on boas and BPs others say yes. I really don't know anymore. I know the chunks and cypress mix by hand seem to fit my needs thus far. Haven't found a suitable replacement yet.

[Ronin]

Peat is taken from area's that rely on the stuff to be there... basically buying peat isn't environmentally friendly... just like using cypress mulch is destroying very precious eco systems. Also peat when dried up becomes very dusty.

Coco is actually better in about every way, and it's a waste product. There's no reason not to use it really.

I mix my ground with compost without anything in it, coco, coco husk, some sand, fir bark, crumbled leaves (for lack of not knowing the English names; Quercus, Acer, Platanus leaves). Can plant about anything in it really (from succulents to tropical plants), and keep anything on it.



I don't know about peat but cypress is illegal too cut down now. I thought you had to dig it out of the buoy?

[Andy_G]

I have used peat moss in the past for lay boxes and found it to hold humidity very well, and it does not get as dusty as coco fiber which I have found awful when it dries out. The sole reason to not use it for reptiles is how hard the process of harvesting it is on the environment-there's no other reason not to use it.

[SWDK]

Thanks for the feedback. Never really thought about the environmental impact. It's the same reason I don't use cypress.

[LISA127]

I use this for box turtles. Works well for me.

[dannybgoode]

Two - asked a few people and they echo Andy-puely an environmental thing.

Don't buy the blocking puts on pythons thing-they don't live on solid substrates, wood chippings, Astroturf etc in the wild and it doesn't cause them a problem.

However peat takes tens of thousands of years to form and is ecologically important so unless I had a very specific need (as others have said it holds humidity incredibly well) I would not use it.

[Andy_G]

Don't buy the blocking puts on pythons thing-they don't live on solid substrates, wood chippings, Astroturf etc in the wild and it doesn't cause them a problem.


Completely agree here. :)