Herb plants in with my BP?

[Newbie Ball]

I'm looking into buying plants for my BP cage, since he only has two hides, and a water bowl it is kind of boring.

I'm thinking of buying, or digging up some mint / other herbs in my garden and putting them in with my BP.
I know the risk of my ball tearing the plant into pieces is a high possibility, but would it be any harm to the snake?


I'm not asking if I could put, Sun flowers, rosies, other non edible plants in it. I'm asking about herb plants, Mint, Basil, etc.
Would the smell of the herbs be bad for em?

[Coopers Constrictors]

Do not put any live plants in with your Ball Python. Go to the store and get some fake ones. You can still water them if you want, but they won't grow. They also will not attract bugs like live plants will.

[Brad91]

I've got grass and ivy in my tank and the snakes crawl through it but don't tear it up. I wouldn't do mint but basil should be alright. Anything that doesn't put off a lot of oils or hairs (like tomato plants do) should be okay. Just watch out for fertilizers in the soil. If you want to use fertilizers use organic. Like manure. You can get a 50lb bag cheap at Wal-Mart and it works great. And it doesn't smell since it's been processed.

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[kitedemon]

This list is from bearded dragons list it is safe for them to eat. I would figure that snakes would be alright too.

Alfalfa
Astilbe
Baby's Tears
Basil (leaves and flowers)
Chinese Lantern (flowers)
Carnations (petals)
Chamomile, English
Clover
Dahlia (flowerhead)
Dandelion (leaves, flowerhead)
Daylilies (flowers)
Dracaena (corn plant)
Fennel
Ficus (leaves)
Grape (leaves, fruit) (not ornamental grape ivys)
Impatiens
Johnny-Jump-Up Viola (flowers)
Hibiscus, Tropical (flowers, leaves)
Hibiscus, Blue (flowers, leaves)
Hibiscus Grandiflora (petals) - Thank you Dawn!
Hollyhock (leaves, flowers)
Hens and Chicks
Lavender
Maple (leaves)
Mesquite (leaves)
Mint/Peppermint
Mulberry (leaves) (silkworms eat these as well)
Nasturtium (flowers, leaves)
Oregano
Pansies (flowers)
Pea, Green Bean (leaves, pods)
Petunia
Phlox
Rose (petals)
Rose-of-Sharon (petals) - Thank you Dawn!
Rosemary (leaves, flowers)
Sage (leaves, flowers)
Spider Plant (leaves, sap might be a skin irritant)
Split-Leaf Philodendron (leaves)
Squash / Zucchini (flowers)
Thyme (leaves, flowers)
Violets (Not African Violets (flowers, leaves)
Wandering Jew (leaves, sap may be a skin irritant)
Yucca (flowers)

Directly copied from http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html

There is a great resource here too, http://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Snakes.../dp/1882770633

This is a great book from a very knowledgeable author, about plants and snakes. He suggests fully bioactive it is however a huge job with lots of careful balance.

[mackynz]

Honestly, your BP will probably just end up crushing the plants. If you want them fake is probably the way to go.

[mike689]

Honestly, your BP will probably just end up crushing the plants. If you want them fake is probably the way to go.

Agreed.

[Brad91]

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?p=1846623

This isn't my post but I did use this info and everything worked out amazingly. No problems with the snakes crushing plants either.

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[kitedemon]

Brad91 I have still to try bioactive systems with Royals but have had great sucess with Ts and scorpions. It does not seem like you have had crushing problems, have you? I would suggest Carex as an additional option it is very hardy.

[Brad91]

I haven't had any issues whatsoever. What does carex do exactly though?

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[kitedemon]

It is an hardy grass found all over (lots of varieties) including Africa. It is one of the common varieties found on the coast, royal python habitat. It often grows in clumps. It looks good alive but even dead it is nice looking.


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