Plants in the tank?

[snomoon]

Does anyone use plants in their tanks? Would any type help with humidity?

[AdamF]

Not needed. Plus BPs like dark, and most plants need light. In addition you would need ALOT of plants to make a dent in ambient humidity. Step 1 would be to measure temps and humidity at various times, just to see where you are starting from.

[bobb]

how about dummy plant?

[kitedemon]

Yes some do. It regulates humidity and oxygen levels very well. You need a very strong plat to stand up to pythons the guys I know have very large enclosures and big plants but in a smaller set up things like Dracaena do well (lucky bamboo) if well anchored. Ground covers as well are very good. Things like Echeveria (hen and chicks) well established do well. Ficus pumila (creeping fig) Pilea nummulariifolia (creeping charley) there are a number of others but you need a seriously tough plant to stand up to a python. I have seen a spider plant mounted toward the top of an enclosure with spider babies making a hiding area the snake never really climbed up on the plant just every now and again pulled loose 'spiders' Remember all plants need to be repotted and grown out for at least 2 weeks to clear any sprays that may have been used on them. Rosary Vine also would do quite well like this (Ceropegia woodii I think...)

http://www.reptileexpert.org/safe-plants.php
http://www.pangeareptile.com/forums/...st-(rhac-safe)
http://lllreptile.com/info/library/c...our-terrarium/

Always cross reference the plant in question it should appear on multiple lists just to be sure.

These guys have a good selection and tools needed they also maybe able to help point you the right direction.
http://www.blackjungleterrariumsupply.com

[KMG]

I use both real and fake. The Petco near me keeps live plants on a pretty regular basis. I don't know the names but you can check out my pics and try the Petco near you. Not all carry them though. The dark green ones have held up great but my bp doesn't ever miss with them.

I also have some in with my new adult BRB and while he will kinda nudge them alittle they are holing up fine. They are only $2 bucks so if I loose a few I'm not gonna cry.

I have only lost two. They were long leaf plants with dark and lite green stripes going up the leaves. They died on their own, not because of the snake. For some reason they don't do so well even though they call for the same care as the others.

[kitedemon]

KMG reminds me of something else... you are basically creating a micro climate for your snake a little portion of Africa in your home. Plant choice needs to account for requirements of that plant and the two need to over lap. KMG sounds like one of the plant choices is an arrowhead or some sort. If that is the case, they usually need to be in water marsh areas and although likely do will hydroponically. They may not survive just placed in an enclosure , if this is correct, the roots need to be under water all the time. Not really a semi arid tropical plant.

[KMG]

All the plants I have are considered tropical and are in the correct temps and I water them as they call for. I kinda think they were alittle gone when I bought them. As we all know Petco can have some care issues and that carries to the plants too. Now I only buy them when they are fresh. It amazes me that sometimes they have dead plants they seem to think they can still sale.

[kitedemon]

That is always true sometimes everything from the pet stores are half dead. it sounded like you had arrowheads must have been something else dragon plant maybe.? The point still is true the plant needs to thrive in the royal pythons conditions or it will die.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[TheSnakeGuy]

I found several great artificial plants at Hobby Lobby. Also the 2 small baskets I used as my hides. I wound up using one big green garland to make 6 different plants. Along with the tree in the middle it creates lots of places to hide and surface to mist on and hold humidity. Check it out.

[AdamF]

Artificial wont help with humidity obviously. If you have only 1 or 2 snakes in large vivarium then the plants can work as part of overall habitat. But you still need quite a few to help humidity.

Additionally, my experience has been every extra living thing in my cages, is one more place/opportunity for "bad things" to hide, breed, develop etc. It takes some work and experience to manage the flora as if it were in it's one environment, as you really don't have a natural environment, with rain, evaporation, etc.

Just my 2 lincolns