Sphagnum moss

[dane]

is this stuff safe for caudates??

I know I had some in my spotted sal cage and it stayed green for a long time(as long as it got misted)

 

[jonathan]

I think people have said that sphagnum moss is too acidic to be safely used. http://www.caudata.org/forum/messages/7/31033.html
(might do a search on "sphagnum acidic" to get more details)

 

[josh]

well, i dont know about that..... ive found various salamanders and rough skinned newts in peat bogs and even inside matts of live sphagnum 4 feet thick. im convinced at least some species can handle it.

 

[edward]

the difference is that in the wild they can leave the low pH sites before the disruption of thier osmotic regulation damages or kills them...
Yes there are some species that are more tolerant of low pH substrates (like Hemidactylium scutatum)
For some information on it see
Bille, Thomas; 2000, Microhabitat utilization of the Mexican salamander, Pseudoeurycea leprosa, Journal of Herpetology, 34(4): 588-590
and the associtated biliography.

Ed

 

[coen]

So, we could say that if you place it in just a part of the tank, it's fine?

 

[Jan]

And you would want to take the risk, why? If we know that it can be risky for the animal's health, I'm not sure why one would consciously make the decision to take that risk vis a vis the animal's well being.

 

[coen]

Jan, I never heard a story of Spaghnum actually hurting or killing an animal. As long as they can choose between an amount of spaghnum, and the rest of the tank, it should be fine right?

It's a very good moist retaining moss, which is why I like it. If it is really bad to even place a small patch of it in your tank (which I doubt) I'll remove it instantly.

 

[Jan]

Spaghnum peat moss does retain moisture. The caveat is that it also contributes acidity to the enclosure...and I think that is key...a vivarium is a moist, finite enclosure. I think there are too many variables to say with assuredness that it can safely be used. Spaghnums are used to augment the pH of soils and can be particularly useful if working with alkaline soils. Spaghnum peat moss has a low pH that in general is around 5.5 (can vary depending on where it is harvested from). Acid environments aren't suitable for most sals...i.e., risk. I wouldn't use for those reasons and creating stress for my sals. A small patch in a large enclosure may not be an issue, in a small enclosure where substrate is not frequently changed, could be an issue...again, too many variables. In the interest of the health of your animal(s), you could always measure the pH to see what your spaghnum is or is not doing to the substrate.

 

[jennifer]

I agree completely with Jan's reply. If you want to test the pH of your moss, soak some overnight in distilled water. Next day, test the pH of the water (with any aquarium pH test kit).

 

[coen]

Alright, that's a good idea. Will do!