Beaked Moss

Today I woke up and looked in my 80 gallon tank and couldnt find my little guy anywhere. He is a 3 month old bp. I took everything out and starting to freak. The last place I checked was a good size bowl filled with beaked moss. Sure enough he was in the bottom of it soaking in the water. I was wondering if beaked moss is known for mites or anything that could harm him. I left him in there because he is due for a shed soon. Your help is greatly appreciated.

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Originally Posted by tantrum007

Today I woke up and looked in my 80 gallon tank and couldnt find my little guy anywhere. He is a 3 month old bp. I took everything out and starting to freak. The last place I checked was a good size bowl filled with beaked moss. Sure enough he was in the bottom of it soaking in the water. I was wondering if beaked moss is known for mites or anything that could harm him. I left him in there because he is due for a shed soon. Your help is greatly appreciated.

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:welcome: to the forum. The reason your snake is probably hiding under the moss is because that is where he feels most secure. A snake that small should be in a tank size 10-20gal. for now...


Rob

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Originally Posted by tantrum007

Today I woke up and looked in my 80 gallon tank and couldnt find my little guy anywhere. He is a 3 month old bp. I took everything out and starting to freak. The last place I checked was a good size bowl filled with beaked moss. Sure enough he was in the bottom of it soaking in the water. I was wondering if beaked moss is known for mites or anything that could harm him. I left him in there because he is due for a shed soon. Your help is greatly appreciated.

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I can't imagine that your husbandry is at all correct in that big of a cage.
Ball pythons like warm small enclosures, an 80 gallon is good for a lizard like a bearded dragon.. not a ball python.
I recommend getting a 10 gallon cage. Less work, easier to clean and keep proper heat and humidity, and they prefer it.

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Originally Posted by blackcrystal22

I can't imagine that your husbandry is at all correct in that big of a cage.
Ball pythons like warm small enclosures, an 80 gallon is good for a lizard like a bearded dragon.. not a ball python.
I recommend getting a 10 gallon cage. Less work, easier to clean and keep proper heat and humidity, and they prefer it.

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You know what I can't imagine? You replying to my post without even grazing the question in it. My husbandry is perfect thanks to hygo/tstat so thanks for your concern. Now if you or anyone else will be so kind to answer my question about beaked moss. The title says it all =)

The answer to your question is there is no more or less of a chance of mite eggs being on the moss than anything else in you house or enclosure...

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Originally Posted by tantrum007

You know what I can't imagine? You replying to my post without even grazing the question in it. My husbandry is perfect thanks to hygo/tstat so thanks for your concern. Now if you or anyone else will be so kind to answer my question about beaked moss. The title says it all =)

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Im not going to answer your question either.


I HIGHLY doubt in an 80 gallon tank your 3 month old ball python is secure and warm. Unless you keep your room at a whoping 80 degrees, Im doubting it.


So before your panties get all bunched up, you came HERE for advice. Dont get butt hurt, when the advice points to YOUR mishaps.

This is a public forum and when someone chooses to participate here they cannot decide who or how posts are made in their threads. Either read past them or put the user on ignore.

80g tank is very large for a 3 month old snake, be prepared for people to tell you this. If your husbandry is spot on your snake would not be soaking in his moss dish. He is either insecure or the humidity is not up to the proper levels.

If you insist on using a tank so large I hope you at least offer MANY hides and make sure your temps are correct.

I have to agree with everyone else here, an 80 gallon tank is no good for even the heftiest of adult females. Put your baby in a 20 long, and get a beardie for that lovely 80 gallon.

Or, if you don't want to buy another $50 tank, you can always get him a temporary tub and let him stay in there while you work on your 80 gallon. I'm not exactly sure how big an 80 gallon would look like (Never seen one up close) but I'm sure you could put a piece of plexiglass or something and divide it into a 20 gallon sized area.

To answer your question first: Beaked moss probably does not carry the snake specific mites that can harm your snake. If anything, it contains wood mites or something similair. If you spot any kind of mite in the enclosure, order some provent a mite and treat the enclosure accordingly.

To address your husbandry: The fact that you are using moss means that your husbandry is not spot on like you say it is. Sounds to me like you are struggling with humidity and that your little guy only feels safe in water. Get him in a smaller tank or tub with two identical tight fitting hides. An 80g tank is not for a ball python. Maybe you can find a different species of snake or reptile to go in there.