About to get my first ball!

Just went out - went to Walmart, couldn't find the accurite. Not sure what section of the store it would be in, but after searching everywhere, still couldn't find it. Went to the pet store and bought a thermometer and hygrometer. Couldn't find cypress mulch either... I'll maybe use this reptibark/random substrate I have. Thanks everyone, you all sure know your stuff! :D

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Originally Posted by Ham

Holy Moly Spores?

Are you serious? What kind of spore? mold spores?

I have always been told cypress mulch is mold resistant, I dont want to hurt my snake, but cypress is what I have always used as well as the reptile shelter where I volunteer...

Can you tell me more about the spores? (Just trying to be cautious)
I love the humidity properties of the cypress, would hate for it to be a problem.

Do you think baking the mulch at a high heat before using it will destroy any harmful spores?

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Cypress is resistant to some mold and harbors others. In fact some molds really love cypress.

Just picked up my new ball, he's GORGEOUS, plump, alert, yet calm. Just perfect in every way! Could not be more excited... pictures soon

Go out to a Home Depot and buy a table light dimmer to use as a rheostat for your UTH to prevent burns. I have a digital thermometer probe sitting between the UTH-stuck glass bottom and my aspen substrate covering.

Easy to adjust the dimmer accordingly if your house/room changes termperature. It was less than $20 at the one here in Whitby.

Congrats on your purchase!