Live plants.

[Ned_fisch]

I'm looking at getting some life plants for my Atherton Carpet. I need to bump up the humidity a bit. I'm look for something that is native to the Atherton tablelands area but doesn't have to be. Is there a plant that you would reccommend? An easy way to keep the soil from going all through the enclosure?

I will be using Aspen bedding soon, could I use that instead of soil? Is that even possible?
I just want something small, which I could easily find at a nusery.

If there is another method that works great for you that keeps the humidity at a good steady level, please tell me.

Thank you.

 

[bfg23]

you could get the plant and leave it in its pot, and just cover the soil with sand or rocks or whatever you have in your tank.

this way maintainence would be easier as you wouldn't have to pull up the plant every time you clean the tank

 

[slim6y]

Very risky business in my mind...

A few main issues - Soil contains very large amounts of bacteria that can cause (I didn't say will) respiratory infections and other nasties. You can't prevent that; In the wild snakes encounter soil every day - that's all fine and dandy in the wild - but in a small enclosure (not as big as the world) that can cause some minor to major issues.

Your next problem is covering the soil... Covering the soil can cause anaerobic conditions - much much much worse than the former issue. Nasty gases may leach from the plant...*cough cough* your snake will say.

Next issue is - your humidity won't rise because of the plant per se but will rise because of the extra moisture you've put in your tank...So hey... Just put in extra water bowls (preferably in the hotter end) to increase humidity. Put in a water feature.

Others have used natural plants with varying success - I'd just be careful that's all. Very very careful.

Perhaps experiment first in a non-snaked cage to see if a) the plant will grow (adequate UV required), b) what happens to the smell etc, c) what happens to the humidity etc

As far as native plants - there's a few you can get (sorry, I really don't know their names) but avoid stinging tree - nasty stuff!

 

[Violetilda]

Do a search for plants you can use and ones that can be harmful, i did read a thread about this, i cant find it, but google the plants you can and cant use. there was heaps that you shouldnt..
Also if you want plants that your Jungle would be around in the wild, google that too..
Or just use fake ones..
goodluck

 

[gillsy]

Hm I disagree with that, US keepers say it's a must for chameleons for plants to raise humidity and keep it stable.

Water evaporates from plant leaves, causing increase in humidity.

 

[slim6y]

Plants - or Plant gillsy?

Plants in a 'biosphere; apparently fine... The control of humidity is probably best done on a fairly large scale.

Small scale you will see most of the change coming from the extra water you've used on the soil - bot from evapotranspiration.

Also - evapotranspiration increases as heat increases (as does evaporation) but more so when there's air movement (as does evaporation) which unfortunately leads to a decrease in humidity (I believe).

Plants look good, serve as breeding grounds for bacteria (beneficial and harmful) and may provide oxygen and CO2 (over night). But I doubt one plant will effect humidity dramatically (if at all) compared to a water feature in the warm end of the tank.

Would like to hear of people who do use natural living potted plants in snake enclosures.

 

[lynfrog]

i use plants all the time in lizard enclosures, and they are very helpful. Not the only way to increase humidity- can put moist spag moss into an openweave bag, like an onion bag, and hang it in the enclosure. plants are fine but need one that does ok in low lihgt- i have found philodendrons good. never heard of any nasty gasses coming out of a plant or pot!! there is always air in the pot around the roots , unless its waterlogged and cant drain properly. plants produce oxygen and keep up humidity ad if you get one that does ok in low light it will grow and look great too.
try a plant and see- i leave them in pots, and then rotate with others in the bushhouse if they start to look a bit droopy or need a spell outside.

 

[cris]

I have live plants with my treesnakes. No idea what species they are, most seem to be green in colour though... most plants probably wont do well in a python enclosure as they will crush small plants.

Here is a pic anyway.

 

[cris]

Oh yeah to increase humidity just move the water bowl closer to the heating.

 

[caustichumor]

I hate the white box approach to keeping reptiles. I prefer the german or european aproach, which is what I am planning for my future enclosures.. Plants and animals go together.... for millenia plants have coexisted with animals without ripping out their throats..,

 

[Justdriftnby]

I have had several types of plants in my enclosures over time, I focused on "TILLANDSIA"they come in many different forms and can be attached directly to any branches within the enclosure, they actually thrive in the heat but I found they did the opposite to what you want to achieve because they drag the humidity down however if misting every few days the humidity will rise and the plants and reptiles thrive.

 

[gillsy]

Look on any of the chameleon websites they will list non toxic plants for an enclosure

 

[Ned_fisch]

Thanks for your help guys. Much appreciated! I've moved the water bowl under the heat, but hasn't raised the humidity, maybe by 2-3%. Aspen bedding I believe raising humidity a bit? Is that correct? I should be getting that this weekend, i'll see if that puts it up to 55-65%, it is only sitting at 30-45% at the moment.
I see someone mentioned Sphagnum moss, would that be alright to use? Only a little clump under the heat, damp of course.

I've been spraying the substrate, it gets to 60-70%. But goes down within an hour.

Thanks again.

 

[xylomelum]

Have a look at anthiriums, nepenthes and birds nest ferns there pretty tough, if the artificial lights are bright enough, and if your woried abt soil grow them in spagnum moss reguarded as a sterile medium. If the ventilation is good there are also mini bromiliads and as mentioned tislandsias you tie to branches with fishing line and a little spagnum. the old fassion african violet might be worth a try. My snakes dont eat plants so i generally dont wory abt toxcicity but wouldnt grow anything with white sap
good luck show us some pics when done
Xylo

 

[Ned_fisch]

Thanks.
I don't know if i'm gonna go with plants, i'll try aspen, see if that bumps it up a bit. If not, i'll try some plants or something.

Another question:
Can I use a wet spunge under the heat?