Sphagnum Moss

[SerpentLust]

I found a bag of sphagnum moss for like crafts and such that's brown. But when I went to the pet store, I saw they had some aswell but it was green and fresh.

Which is better to use? Or am I NOT supposed to use one?

Jenn

[Tim and Julie B]

The craft stuff has been dried to it's last breath, it will never re-hydrate so it's pretty much useless. I'm not sure about the safety of spaghnum, but I've heard other people say they use it:D

Julie

[reptile171]

id say find something else...

[snakehunter]

the shag i use is multi colored, meaning normal. i bought a cubic foot at a green hous for 4 bucks usd, and the green stuff at the pet store is seven usd for like 2/3 a cubic foot. the pet store stuff is a rip off, i think its died that vibrant green to attract keepers, and steer them from the normal looking stuff.

as for water absorbtion i find the dried stuff works fine, read the package, my companys moss hold something like 200% its weight in water, make sure you get the stuff thats for orchids and such, and you should be good.

sorry for the long post, i just hate it when companies sell things for pets at low quantities and high prices, and you can get the same stuff for less and more quabtity at a place for dif. use. (if that made anysense)

hope i helped
-JAcob

[SerpentLust]

Could I also use Vermiculite for a humid hide? I heard it's better

[Invictus]

I wouldn't use vermiculite for a snake. The shiny stuff on it does come off, and I question if it's really good for the snake. Perlite could probably be used, but I wouldn't use that either. Sphagnum moss is acidic, so it resists mold really well, which is a definite asset when you're dealing with moist, stagnant environments.

[Katt]

Sphagnum is brown and I find it holds humidity pretty well. That stuff in the pet store that kinda stringy, is spanish moss, and it's dyed to be green.

[beth wallbank]

if you go into your forest, grab some spagmum, rinse it, freeze it overnight, then its all good. I collect tons of it monthly, and works great. The stuff from nurseries and stores, have all been treated, so steer clear.

[SerpentLust]

Unfortunately beth, here in North Bay, the ground is covered in snow ;)

[beth wallbank]

LOL.......born and raised there....faint memories seem to come back. Here is green grass and the kids played street hockey last night after Christmas dinner. bummer

[Jeff Hathaway]

Jenn,

If it's just for a humid hide, either sphagnum should work okay, though I've never tried it. We use cypress mulch, sometimes mixed with aspen.

I'm with Invictus on the vermiculite.

Jeff Hathaway
Sciensational Sssnakes!!

[Mr.Lizard]

You can get the sphagnum moss at hardware stores that have a nursery as well...Home Depot,Lowe's...etc. Even K-mart should have it.

[burmer]

I'm using the brown now. I got it at a plant nursery and it holds humidity really well.