Moss

[Sana]

This may sound silly but I came across a curiosity that had never occurred to be before yesterday. I know that a lot of keepers (myself included) use sphagnum moss in enclosures. Are there any kinds of moss that you shouldn't put in a tarantula enclosure? I was eyeing some sheet moss thinking how lovely it would look in one of my enclosures.

 

[lunarae]

I haven't found anything yet stating of any moss species that wouldn't work. Only thing I think one would have to look at for what 'will not work' is the care requirements of the moss not matching the T species care requirements. Moss generally need a very moist and humid deal to survive as well as they can be pretty picky on lighting it seems. Unless your going for like dried moss but the same applies I think, i mean if there isn't any species that seem to be a problem living, I doubt it's a problem dead. But like I said I haven't come across anything in my reading yet on the subject of live plants and T's and using moss that would indicate anything is wrong with any of the species out there.

 

[Andrea82]

I have tried this moss in my E.campestratus enclosure..it lasteda day before she tossed it into a corner and bundled it up with webbing, as far away from her hide as possible.
I've also tried it with my B.albopilosum, she refused to go anywhere near it. The feeder crickets loved the stuff to bury themselves under though....creating a moss graveyard in my T's enclosure....

 

[MikeC]

I'm imagine the sheet moss you're looking at is of the living variety.
If so, Lunarae is spot on with its care requirements likely being difficult in matching with the spider you're planning on using it for.

If it's dried (dead) decorative moss, it should be fine as long as it's not dyed.
I have absolutely no idea what kind of impact dye would have, but it's not something I'd risk on principle.

I've used sphagnum for a variety of things, from decorating to mixing in with the substrate for some of the more moisture dependent species. It holds water very well, and seems to wick it thanks to how it forms in strands.

 

[Sana]

I really appreciate the answers. I would be working with the non living decorative variety for now. One of these days I want to set up a vivarium but for now I have enough in my life to keep me busy. I tend to enjoy watching what my various species choose to do with decorations in their enclosures. I would be amused if one made a moss and web ball. I will definitely only be putting moss of any type in enclosures that need more humidity. Our climate is perfect for arid species but our tropicals prefer a little damp moss during really dry weeks. Thank you all for taking the time to help me out.

 

[ErinM31]

My Hapalopus sp. columbia sling has used the sphagnum moss in creating it's home/tent/burrow. My Euathlus sp. red adults spend most of their time in other parts of the terrarium, but I think that is just a preference for drier parts of the terrarium while the corner with the sphagnum moss and their water dish has some moisture.

I have some Spanish moss in one of my isopod enclosures and it seems more prone to mold than the sphagnum (which I have never seen mold), or perhaps it was some moldy bit of something that got on the moss. I rather doubt that tarantulas would like it as I imagine it tangling around their legs. Then again, I might provide a bit for my Hapalopus once it's in a larger container and see whether it meets tarantula decorating standards.

 

[MikeC]

I will definitely only be putting moss of any type in enclosures that need more humidity.

I see no reason dried moss couldn't be a good decorative element for arid species.
It doesn't come soaked, and some varieties really resemble desert grasses.

 

[Belegnole]

any moss should work as long as the requirements for the moss matches those of the Tarantula to be kept in the same enclosure.

 

[Yanose]

i have only ever used sphagnum moss my self even in dry setups i will put a little as most of my spiders seem to like to line there homes with it for one purpose or another depending. that and i like the look of it

 

[Poec54]

I have some Spanish moss in one of my isopod enclosures and it seems more prone to mold than the sphagnum (which I have never seen mold), or perhaps it was some moldy bit of something that got on the moss. I rather doubt that tarantulas would like it as I imagine it tangling around their legs.

Spanish moss is not a moss or even related. It's a bromeliad, Tillandsia usneoides. In grows in bundles/strands on trees in the SE USA, and decomposes when it falls on the ground. That's also why it has a wiry inside, to hang onto tree limbs. It's a poor substitute for sphagnum moss.

You see pictures/movies of big oaks in the deep south with big greyish clumps of Spanish moss on them.

 

[ErinM31]

Spanish moss is not a moss or even related. It's a bromeliad, Tillandsia usneoides. In grows in bundles/strands on trees in the SE USA, and decomposes when it falls on the ground. That's also why it has a wiry inside, hang onto tree limbs. It's a poor substitute for sphagnum moss.

You see pictures/movies of big oaks in the deep south with big greyish clumps of Spanish moss on them.

Yep, the trees around here are full of clusters of it. I agree that it is no substitute for sphagnum moss -- doesn't hold moisture. I've only tried using the dried stuff as a decorative element in some spider and isopod terraria so far. I have living clumps that I've collected and added to my native toads' terrarium and it seems to do well.