Problem with "beaked moss" going moldy in damp hide?

[alisonk]

I have been using 'beaked moss' that I bought at Petco for my damp hide. I like it, because it makes a soft bed for the leo, and she spends all day in there. On Saturday I changed it for fresh and wet it down and used a paper towel to dry it a bit. When I looked on Sunday, in one spot I could see a little whitish grayish mold growing????

I have never seen that before, and I've been using this stuff for a while. Is this dangerous for the Leo? I changed it all for fresh again, but I'm thinking if this stuff gets moldy like that after 1 day, then maybe I should rather use something else? Has anyone else ever experienced this with beaked moss? I thought it was supposed to be used for damp terrariums.

What does everyone use for the damp hide? Moist paper towels? Vermiculite? What is best?

Thanks

 

[SC Geckos]

I use moss in some of my other setups (not for my geckos) and if it is in a place with very little ventilation (like a humid hide) it will mold quickly. For my leopard gecko humid hides I use coco fiber (eco earth) for my females and paper towels for my males and hatchlings. The coco fiber works great and I have never seen it mold. I have used it for several years for all different types of animals.

 

[alisonk]

Is that the same as coir? Used for making those liners you see sometimes for plant pots? Do they sell it in a pet store, or would I have to look in a garden dept?

Thanks for the idea, I will look out for some...

 

[SC Geckos]

They sell it at the pet stores. I buy the stuff that comes in a brick (eco earth). You add water to it and it expands into basically like a soil type material. Its made of coconut husk.

 

[lisa127]

I normally use new zealand sphagnum moss for my box turtles enclosure. Which I've had no problems with. I once switched to the beak moss that you are referring to and I too had a problem with mold with that one.

 

[athdaraxen]

One alternative is Orchid moss. You can usually find it at garden stores or places like Lowes. It's much less stinky too. :3

Sent from my Samsung Captivate using Tapatalk 2.

 

[DrCarrotTail]

I use sphagnum moss as well and have never had any molding issues. However - if some biomatter gets in there - like food, skin or poop I could imagine that it could mold pretty quickly.

 

[alisonk]

Thanks for all the suggestions!
Orchard moss sounds like a good idea, it actually looks like beaked moss, good to know it doesn't mold!

Thanks