Plants for a Temple Viper

[kevyn]

Are snake plants okay to use for a Wagler's Temple Pitviper? Not sure on the scientific name of the plant but I know the common name is snake plant. I don't see why they wouldn't be okay, but you never know. Any other recomendations for plants are welcome. Thanks.

[Linds]

The sap is mildly toxic, but your snake won't be eating the plant I'm sure....lol :p Many people use them with success in live vivaria with snakes. Some other favourites of course are Pothos Vines, and if I'm not in to hots so forgive me if I'm wrong, are those guys not fairly arboreal? Ficus trees would also be great then. With snakes you want to use something fairly sturdy because they will just destroy anything like Ivy and whatnot.

[kevyn]

They are very arboreal. RIght now I have some branches fixed together through out the enclosure that she rests on, but the tree sounds good. I've never done a vivarium before so I'm not exactly sure what to use. I do know that they do better in a vivarium, kind of like chameleons. How about using using peat moss for a substrate? Thanks

[Linds]

Peat moss tends to be quite messy, and apparently harbours asperilligus, however herpers have used it for decades with no problems, so draw what you wish from that. Cypress mulch is a nice substrate to use, you have to be careful that is does not lead to impaction however, if the snake feeds on it. Ground coconut is another fairly good one, as long as it doesn't dry out (then it gets dusty), however it is also quite messy. With the really fine ones (peat moss, ground coconut husk) you will have to be changing the water a lot more. If you can find bark nuggets that are not made from any softwoods or walnut, that would work quite nicely as well, and your snake is less likely to swallow one :p