Trying to find a new bedding for my snake...

I got the idea to put moss in my snakes cage as a bedding to increase the humidity, but i am wondering just how safe it is. i have a little of it in there now and he really seems to like it. hasn't moved since i introduced it. so is it safe to keep it?

I wouldn't suggest moss being the main substrate to use because Ball pythons do not need a whole lot of humidity, only between 50%-60% would be ideal. Here are some ways to raise humidity to the correct level:

Do you own a glass enclosure with a screen lid? If so, the screen lid is your problem. Humidity escapes very easily when using a screen lid for your enclosure. Cover up half of the screen lid with saran (sp?) wrap to seal in most of the humidity so it cannot escape as easily.

If you are using a heat lamp, that will definitely suck out most of the humidity and dry up the substrate. UTHs are recommended to use for BPs because heat lamps can suck out most of the humidity in the enclosure and BPs need the belly heat to be able to digest meals properly. Try purchasing a UTH for your BP so the humidity is stable in the enclosure. If you do buy a UTH, purchase a light dimmer or a thermostat to control the heat that is produced from the heat source so yout temperatures are stable and not constantly changing.

If you are using Aspen Bedding as a substrate, I would suggest using Cypress Mulch or Eco Earth. These substrates retain humidity in very well. Cypress Mulch can be misted whenever it needs to, but you will have to mist Eco Earth daily. If Aspen Bedding becomes too damp or wet, it may grow mold which you do not want so if your misting the moss in the enclosure too much to where the substrate is getting damp and wet, there is a possibilty the substrate will grow mold. Cypress Mulch will never grow mold no matter how wet it is, but I do not recommend making the substrate too damp or wet. Cypress Mulch would be the best substrate to use for a BP, well, in my opinion. I use it for my BPs and I don't have a problem controlling the humidity.

Newspaper or paper towels are by far the easiest in terms of cost, humidity, and cleaning.

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Originally Posted by mrshawt

Newspaper or paper towels are by far the easiest in terms of cost, humidity, and cleaning.

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Agreed. I used paper towels for my newest BP, but now he's back on Cypress. I find Cypress very natural looking, but paper towels are definitely more easier to clean up.

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Originally Posted by CoolioTiffany

Agreed. I used paper towels for my newest BP, but now he's back on Cypress. I find Cypress very natural looking, but paper towels are definitely more easier to clean up.

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After over a year of using aspen and repti bark, I switched to newsprint and never looked back. I'm loving how low maintenance it is and cheap! :O

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Originally Posted by mrshawt

After over a year of using aspen and repti bark, I switched to newsprint and never looked back. I'm loving how low maintenance it is and cheap! :O

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It is pretty cheap to only use paper towels. I found it SO easy to clean up after my BP when I was using paper towels. I also like using Cypress because it just has this really cool natural look to it so I use it for my BPs and their cages look similar to something like in the wild lol.:rofl::D

I tried aspen, I didnt like it and went back to newsprint. But I have a question, If I throw in some aspen here and there in a tub that already has newsprint set up, Will the aspen help lower humidity or will the humidity raise? I live in south Florida and is a pain for me to try to keep humidity down. :taz:

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Originally Posted by Danounet

I tried aspen, I didnt like it and went back to newsprint. But I have a question, If I throw in some aspen here and there in a tub that already has newsprint set up, Will the aspen help lower humidity or will the humidity raise? I live in south Florida and is a pain for me to try to keep humidity down. :taz:

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Aspen is the best substrate I've seen to suck up any moisture in an enclosure. :P
Give it a shot, see if it works.

Hmm nice, I will try it after they shed. 2 out of 3 are in the blue now. Im hoping I catch at least one shedding =( havent seen a live shed yet :taz:

I use Coconut Husk chips and find that it keeps alot of humidity. I have never had a problem with sheds. I use to use aspen but found that it didn't hold humidity that well.

Everyone I know loves newsprint. I hate it. They say its easy to clean? With them tipping water bowls daily, I find that it is really not. My snakes used to burrow more, and tip bowls less when I had aspen in there. That being said I am terribly afraid to feed on aspen bedding, so I am stuck with newsprint I guess.

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Originally Posted by stormwulf133

Everyone I know loves newsprint. I hate it. They say its easy to clean? With them tipping water bowls daily, I find that it is really not. My snakes used to burrow more, and tip bowls less when I had aspen in there. That being said I am terribly afraid to feed on aspen bedding, so I am stuck with newsprint I guess.

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Get heavier water bowls. The same happened to me until I got a heavier crock bowl from Walmart. Dog bowls work the best.

Yeh, aspen sucks for humidity! I'm currently using it myself and looking to make a switch once my current bag of it runs out:rolleyes:

i'm a big fan of ecoearth for the natural look and humidity retention. in my area, i normally only have to wet a small portion of the tank to keep humidity levels in check

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Originally Posted by mrshawt

Get heavier water bowls. The same happened to me until I got a heavier crock bowl from Walmart. Dog bowls work the best.

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I already use as big as the tubs will allow for. They still manage and I have no idea how.

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Originally Posted by stormwulf133

I already use as big as the tubs will allow for. They still manage and I have no idea how.

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I didn't mean big, I mean bottom heavy ones.

I use coco husk and it holds humidity well.... I also feed on it and have not had any problems.....

If you need to bump up humidity in a tank set-up i found that a wet hand towel over 50% of the lid bumps humidity by 20% or as needed.
I use cypress for my adults and aspen for my juveniles as it won't cause problems if digested.

Just remember the key--high humidity is ok, between 60 and 80%--but dampness is NOT. Bedding should be dry.