Safe live grass

Raan · 10-14-11, 11:39 PM

Starting to setup a ball python tank. This is my first tank I am setting up, and I am very curious if there is any types of grass that I could use and are safe just as a decoration. Stipagrostis plumosa if google image searched is the idea I am looking for. Any safe alternative or knowledge of if it will be fine to use will be helpful

Thank you,

Jay · 10-15-11, 07:28 AM

I've used plain old grass seed, and miniature umbrella plants in my gopher snake tank before.

infernalis · 10-15-11, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay0133

I've used plain old grass seed, and miniature umbrella plants in my gopher snake tank before.

Lighter bodied colubrids, yes grass works decently, and it looks good.

BP on the other hand are heavy and mush it all down.

infernalis · 10-15-11, 07:30 AM

For a BP any grass will be mashed flat in a couple evenings time.

They are heavy bodied snakes and cleaning the cage will be a nuisance, keeping the grass watered will keep the cage too wet (belly scales can get fungus and rot) and the grow light you will need for healthy grass is all wrong for your snake.

Royal pythons are nocturnal animals and they are really better off without bright lights shining on them.

I noticed you said "tank", if you are going to use an aquarium, do not buy a screen top.

One very common error in BP husbandry is people set up really nice looking "tanks" complete with a basking lamp / heat lamp and a screen top.

The radiant energy from the lamps evaporates all the moisture from the cage and the screen top allows it to escape into the room away from your snake where it needs to be.

Also heat rises, right up though the screen top.

Myself, I use a 55 gallon tank, a zoo med UTH (heat pad that goes under the tank) a huge water bowl and a plywood top I made.

Do you have the snake yet, or still planning?

Jay · 10-15-11, 09:50 AM

I didn't even think about that, I tried grass with my bcc, nothing but flat yellow grass within the first week.

Raan · 10-15-11, 03:41 PM

Hey thanks for all the replied. Everything so far is just in the planning stages so no snake yett but I do have a 40 gallon breeder tank, and the bp in my picture is the one I'm considering. If anyone has any other insight into what is ideal for a ball python the help is greatly appreciated

RegenerationRep · 10-15-11, 08:43 PM

You could use something like spider plants or those smaller grasses that they sell at Lowes for in gardens.

Quack · 10-15-11, 10:09 PM

If you do decide to have any plants in a viv for any animal, if you buy the plant in a pot, take the plant out and rinse it in warm water. Then, replant it in new, unfertilized soil. This should get rid of the pesticides or fertilizers that were used on the plant that are harmful to the animal.

scooper · 11-18-11, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quack

If you do decide to have any plants in a viv for any animal, if you buy the plant in a pot, take the plant out and rinse it in warm water. Then, replant it in new, unfertilized soil. This should get rid of the pesticides or fertilizers that were used on the plant that are harmful to the animal.

Sounds good - that is actually what I wanted to do with the plants I recently bought but I wasn't sure of how to do it properly not indirectly harming my animals afterwards. I was almost ready for trees sales because I did not know how to plant it properly. Thank you for the tip with the water and the unfertilized soil.

jarich · 11-18-11, 04:52 PM

I have kept pothos in with a number of different snakes, including BPs, and it does really well. They are a really hearty plant and can hold up to just about any abuse, plus they grow quickly. Always helps with the humidity in the tank too.