Mold Issue

[Firemaniv]

When I cleaned and updated my terrarium for my BP the other day, I noticed that I had mold growing on the
wood log that I have in the cage. Its real wood from a holly tree. I researched and found nothing saying that this type of tree would be harmful to my BP. I baked the log in the oven for over 2 hours before I put it into the cage. I did leave the bark on the log and I found equal amounts of info saying that you can leave it on or should take it off. I scraped some of the bark off and the mold was also underneath. There was some on one of the ends. I believe the mold is from me misting my cage to keep my humidity right.

I am looking for any suggestions on how to keep the log and not have mold. Should I also take the bark off if it? The reason I want to keep the log is because my BP's first shed was terrible and lasted into a second shed. It seemed that my BP was not trying to rub on anything to remove the shed. After I got the log in the cage, I witnessed the BP rubbing its face up against the log to start shedding. The second shed went much better than the first. It still was not a complete shed but my BP got all but about 1/3 that was left on its back. I have included a pic were you can see the log. I did have the idea of cutting down its size and maybe propping it up on the hide on the right to get it out of the substrate which is reptibark to help hold moisture. I think the reptibark helped cause the mold from me misting it. I also think I may have to clean/change the substrate more often. You can also see a climbing branch that I have from the same holly tree. It does not have mold on it. I have not seen the snake trying to rub on it to shed so that is what makes me want to keep the log.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Honestly you don't need any wood at all in your cage. It is an uphill battle that in my opinion isn't worth the effort. If the humidity is high enough your snake will shed just fine. All of my ball pythons are in cages set up like this and I have yet to have a bad shed (cage humidity normally kept at 60% and is increased to 70% during shed)

[John1982]

If you really want to keep the wood and are into natural remedies, isopods clean up mold nicely.

[DooLittle]

Yeah, if humidity is right they don't need a log to rub on. Mine shed great. It's always a little rolled up packet, that I have to unroll and check for eye caps because I am anal about checking for eyecaps. They are always found inside of a hide. My set up is such-


I move the water bowl over to the hot side on top of flexwatt and that bumps humidity perfectly during shed.

As far as if you really want to keep the wood, and not have mold, I dont know what to tell you. Because they do require humidity, which will grow mold on wood.
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[Firemaniv]

OK I will work on keeping the humidity up. I have been thinking about a larger water bowl to start with to help keep the humidity up. If i still need more then I might do a DIY humidifier. I will not put the log or another back.

It just seemed that the snake was really not trying to rub on anything I already had in the terrarium for the first shed since I got him. Since my humidity was off then that cause trouble for him.

[John1982]

OK I will work on keeping the humidity up. I have been thinking about a larger water bowl to start with to help keep the humidity up. If i still need more then I might do a DIY humidifier. I will not put the log or another back.

It just seemed that the snake was really not trying to rub on anything I already had in the terrarium for the first shed since I got him. Since my humidity was off then that cause trouble for him.

When mine shed they just rub against the side of the tub or hide or waterbowl, haven't had a bad shed yet.

[Firemaniv]

Well keeping the humidity up worked. I found a complete shed in the warm hid today. My BP had a pretty quick shed cycle it seemed to me. Can they shed faster than the shed thread has listed? Of course there is always the possibility that I noticed the changes late in the cycle.

as for keeping the humidity up, the repti-bark works wonders in a glass terrarium.

[mackynz]

They can shed faster, but you probably just caught it in the end of the blue stage so it seemed fast.

[Firemaniv]

update: I got a bigger water bowl, one of those zoo med corner design ones and man that has kept the humidity up without having to mist much now. It raised it to the high 50's/ sometimes low 60's. That will make it easy to mist a little to bump it up when my BP goes into shed.

[Rickys_Reptiles]

update: I got a bigger water bowl, one of those zoo med corner design ones and man that has kept the humidity up without having to mist much now. It raised it to the high 50's/ sometimes low 60's. That will make it easy to mist a little to bump it up when my BP goes into shed.

Good to hear it's working!