Is this mold?

[trailblazer295]

So I've been using cocohusk as a substrate for my BP since soon after I got him where the winter climate and ambient house humidity resulted in low humidity in his cage with aspen. I could easily maintain 50-60% after switching. Now that warm weather has a arrive the ambient humidity is around 60% and since last week when I brought him back home (another story) I had set his cage back up with fresh cocohusk. For days the humidity was high 80%+. I tried having a fan set in the direction and opening the door to lower it but it would quickly climb back up. Today was his scheduled feeding day which he eagerly attacked so the move back home hasn't stressed him out he is still a eager feeder. I noticed this white stuff almost like spider web on the log half as well as other areas on the substrate. Is this mold? Should I be worried? I was planning to swap to cypress mulch on the next substrate change to avoid a predampened substrate for the summer and re-evaulate come fall. If I should change now is 24hrs ok? 48? I've always given him 48hrs after feeding before doing anything in the cage.

[Jim Smith]

It sure is! You need to change what you're using for bedding materials and/or reduce the humidity in your enclosure. That mold is not healthy for either you or your snake.

[trailblazer295]

He just ate. Do I risk disturbing him or wait until tomorrow?

[trailblazer295]

With mine, my cats and snakes health I decided to take my chances. I drove back to the reptile store to get cypress mulch. Going to try and gently take him out so I can clean all the decor and replace the substrate. Looks like his unused wooden log is going in the garbage.

[trailblazer295]

Good update, mushu wasn't at all scared when I opened his cage, he was poking his head out of his hide seeing what I was doing. I placed him in a rubbermaid with a towel and one of his freshly santized hides, he is just exploring the bin not even hiding. Doesn't seem stressed about the disruption. I'll have his cage full santized and cleaned now.

[trailblazer295]

Seems he was so unstressed he wouldn't even go in the hide I provided he just laid on top. His cage is now full disinfected, decor cleaned. Moldy wood removed. He is now back in his cage, didn't seem fazed by my picking him up.

[Jim Smith]

Congratulations for taking such quick action. Nice work!

[trailblazer295]

Originally Posted by Jim Smith

Congratulations for taking such quick action. Nice work!

Thanks, I was worried being disturbed, picked up and moved around right after feeding might stress him out but he didn't seem any different then when I handle him other times. Lucky for me he isn't an easily stressed BP. His not going in his hot hide is still puzzling but he eats, sheds and poops and isn't easily stressed so I'm not too worried.

[trailblazer295]

Update. He didn't spit up his meal, no mold has seen been since now that substrate swapped out used fans to dry it out to 60%. He ate first attempt yesterday, he was out of his hide coming towards me before I could get the box open. Has shed since I brought him home as I found the skin after feeding him. Didn't even know he was in blue. Sneaky bugger.

[Albert Clark]

Nice job and good read. Congrats.

[Jim Smith]

Well done!

[trailblazer295]

Thanks guys, it's my first herp and lucky for me as an animal he has been good. I had problems with heating and gradient etc but that wasn't his fault it was where I live the climate and being in a basement and no control. I'll be moving soon where I can control heat etc and being an hvac tech the reptile room will be right. Through out my learning curve and my environment he has been good, always eaten and shed etc. I can't complain about him, feeding day he usually is out looking right at me before I get the door open. He knows food is coming he can sense it. He is my little buddy, a BP that hides or not wouldn't trade him of any snake.