"Java Wood" covered in mold.

[Skumbo]

Well guys,

I got java wood for my snake, and he loved it the first few days, he'd hide around it, climbed a few times, and it looks good in his cage.

The last couple of days, he's been trying to escape from the farthest side of it as possible. I figured "new cage, so hes exploring" but hes been conistent. He actually didnt feed today, thats when I got worried. Hes never missed a meal in his entire life - even deep in shed.

So, I kinda poked my head into his cage a little and realized "it smells a little funky in here..." I lifted the wood in his cage, and the back and behind (nothing I could see from the front looking in) is COVERED in mold.

I took it out immediately, replaced all his substrate, and cleaned out his hides. Now hes in there, not trying to escape for once, and actually at the moment - on the other side of his cage for the first time in a few days.

Im going to go through and bleach/clean the crap out of this wood maybe stain it a cool color, then clean (suggestions for any pet safe clear cote?) coat it so its completely waterproof. I figured it was finished with something or treated as it was "perfect for tropical environments" but.. I guess not.

This is more of a "be careful!" than a "what should I do?!" thread.

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