Moss

iwlim

Arachnopeon
Joined
Aug 28, 2015
Messages
5
I have some moss growing in my back yard, is it safe for my hissers and ts? There are no pesticides in my yard. Also I have heard tap water kills moss? If so what type of water should I use?
 

user 666

Arachnobaron
Joined
Jan 27, 2017
Messages
355
Have patience, grasshopper.

I am still growing the moss I harvested from my backyard, so i can't give you a definite answer. But I expect it to be as safe as the cloth plants used in enclosures.
 

Arachnomaniac19

Arachnolord
Joined
Aug 23, 2014
Messages
652
I use native moss for my dart frogs, and they're far more sensitive than Ts. It should be fine so long as you're certain that no pesticides could have blown on them or drained out on them from rain.
 

nicodimus22

Arachnomancer
Arachnosupporter
Joined
Sep 26, 2013
Messages
715
Sounds like a good way to give your T mites or possibly exposure to harmful chemicals (even if your lawn isn't sprayed, it could encounter runoff from other areas, etc.)

I wouldn't, but that's just me. Moderate risk, low reward.
 

Anoplogaster

Arachnodemon
Joined
Jan 15, 2017
Messages
675
Sounds like a good way to give your T mites or possibly exposure to harmful chemicals (even if your lawn isn't sprayed, it could encounter runoff from other areas, etc.)

I wouldn't, but that's just me. Moderate risk, low reward.
Yup, that was my first instinct, too. The moss you can buy in bulk isn't terribly expensive. But then again, we don't necessarily know where THAT stuff comes from either..... lol!
 

vespers

Arachnodemon
Old Timer
Joined
Aug 18, 2012
Messages
712
Moss can be sensitive, I use only distilled water when misting moss in my tanks. Two things to keep in mind though; most mosses require decent light levels to thrive, and some native mosses may or may not have a winter dormancy period depending on where you live.
 

Anoplogaster

Arachnodemon
Joined
Jan 15, 2017
Messages
675
Moss can be sensitive, I use only distilled water when misting moss in my tanks. Two things to keep in mind though; most mosses require decent light levels to thrive, and some native mosses may or may not have a winter dormancy period depending on where you live.
Would the moisture requirements for live moss be too much for a T? Would you end up with mold problems?
 

vespers

Arachnodemon
Old Timer
Joined
Aug 18, 2012
Messages
712
Would the moisture requirements for live moss be too much for a T? Would you end up with mold problems?
For many tarantulas, I would say yes its too much. Depends on the species, though some moisture-liking spiders like Theraphosa sp., E. murinus, etc. would be ok with it I'm sure. My tanks that currently contain live moss are amphibian tanks with healthy microfauna populations, so mold isn't an issue in my case.
 
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