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I have been asked is it good to place real plants
in your set up with your snakes?? Or not??
Few branches or vines will add interest for your snake, as well as
improve the appearance of your enclosure. Don't use sticks and plants
from your garden/yard they may carry parasites that could harm
your snake. If you do place plants in your snakes enclosure they
will need watered daily as the heat mat and warmth from the enclosure
will quickly dry them out.
I personally
do not use real plants as I forget to water them or the snakes may mess
in them... And they are difficult to clean, unlike the plastic and silk ones
which are quite easy to clean. I think you will find that tanks with
real plants are mainly for frogs & toads, but if you do choose
to use real plants, I have a list of the safer ones below.
A list of
plants that are safe for terrarium species, I.e. Amphibians and
reptiles. Plants are the easiest to keep in a terrarium when left in the
pots, these can easily be hidden using rocks, branches and moss. This
makes for easy moving of the plants, especially if you have to remove
one due to differences in lighting, watering or heat requirement.
Pothos(Epipremnum
aureum):
This plant is
very hardy, and is good for the beginning terrarium designer, as it will
grow in just about any type substrate. R (in a 1/2 & 1/2 tank), and one
that is growing in sand (keep well watered). This plant also makes an
attractive vertical decoration. The pothos vine makes an attractive
horizontal decoration.
Humidity: Average-30% or
higher.
Lighting: Generally
about 6-8 hours of light from a plant grow aquarium bulb will suffice.
Try not to let the light burn for any longer than this, as the leaves
will turn brown on the edges. This is the plant getting burned from the
lights.
You may find that you
will need to cut this plant back some, as it has a tendency to branch
out. Pothos vines will also need to be cut back, as they have a tendency
to "run wild", soon taking over the terrarium. Also, be sure to cut off
any dead, yellowing or brown leaves, as these leaves will drain the
plant of much needed energy.
Propagation: Stem
cuttings.
Many different species
of herps will love these plants, just be careful with your vegetarian
herp, as you won't have this plant for very long. Frogs and toads will
climb on it, lay their eggs on the leaves or in the roots. Tree frogs
will sleep hidden in the leaves and lay their eggs on leaves that are
hanging over a water source. Some species of salamanders and newts will
climb on the leaves, especially if the plant is in the water area of the
tank. If salamanders and newts don't climb on it, they might hide in the
roots. Watch out, as some species of salamanders and newts will dig a
plant up totally, you will then need to replant it. All in all this
attractive plant makes a beautiful decoration in any woodland or
tropical terrarium.
English Ivy(Hedera
helix L.):
Another attractive plant, this medium sized plant may be difficult for
beginners though. This plant also needs to be cut back, as it too tends
to "run wild". The leaves of this plant are very beautiful, a medium
shade of green with lighter green shading in the middle.
Humidity: 30%-60% is best for this plant, though it may live in levels
higher than that.
Lighting: 6-8 hours, no more. This plants leaves tend to be real
sensitive to burning from lights, be careful.
This
plant serves as an excellent ground cover, and many nocturnal species of
herps can be found sleeping under the many vines of this plant. My grey
tree frog especially likes the English ivy in it's tank. This plant is
best placed in the middle of the tank. I have mine growing around the
water dish in my tree frog tank, planted in the sand out of the pot, it
kind of wraps around the entire dish and looks very natural and
beautiful
African Violets(Saintpaulia ionantha):
Description:
These attractive, medium sized flowering plants provide excellent ground
cover for terrarium species. They are one of my favourite terrarium
plants. These plants do, however, rank high on the difficulty scale.
High humidity levels are required for this plant, just be sure that no
condensation occurs, as water droplets on the leaves magnify the light
and cause burning. I highly recommend that you leave this plant in it's
pot, this helps make sure that it gets the correct amount of water. The
leaves of this plant are fuzzy and soft to the touch, like velvet. This
plant produces small flowers, in colours ranging from purple to white to
pink.
Lighting: 6-8 hours a
day. This plant also has leaves that are sensitive, so care must be
taken
that they don't get
burned.
Propagation: Leaf
cuttings
This plant
provides excellent ground cover. I recommend placing to the side of the
tank, near the middle or the front.
Many
nocturnal species will take refuge from the light under the leaves, and
at night will hunt from the leaves for insects.
Umbrella Plant(Schefflera digitata):
Description:
This plant is an indoor shrub, who's size is determined by the size of
the container it is kept in. This is a beautiful plant,
though it tends to be on the plain side, with 5-8 leaflets extending
from a central point. This plant is light olive green, there are also
variegated ones.
Light: Partial shade-bright indirect light.
Temperature: Day time: 65°F-75°F; Night time: above 60°F.
Humidity: 30% and higher.
Propagation: N/A.
This
plant makes for a very unusual looking addition to any terrarium. Should
only be used in light weight herp tanks, like anoles
and
small-medium sized tree frogs, as the branches won't hold much weight.
Nonetheless, a highly recommended plant.
Tank
Position: Middle section of tank, centered, and near large-medium sized
rocks.
Dumbcane(Dieffenbachia):
Description:
Oval, elongated leaves, cream center with outer edge being green.
Light: Medium light.
Temperature: Day: 71°F-85°F; Night: 66°F-75°F.
Humidity: 30% or higher.
Propagation: Tip, stem cuttings.
This
plant is a very beautiful addition to any terrarium. Herps will enjoy
hanging around and hunting from the various leaves.
Also,
a prime candidate for breeders, especially for tree frogs if overhanging
a water source.
Tank
Position: Back, towards centre.
Arrowhead Vine(Syngonium podophyllum):
Description:
3 lobed plant, arrow-shaped leaves. Variegated light and dark green.
Light: Low-medium.
Temperature: Days: 61°F-85°F; Nights: 56°F-75°F.
Humidity: 30% or more.
Propagation: Stem, tip cuttings, or division of the plant.
This
plants serves as an excellent ground cover. Cutting back will be
necessary, as the plant tends to "grow wild". Many herps
Will
enjoy resting, sleeping, hiding and hunting from the safety of this
plant.
Tank
Position: Middle of the tank, towards the sides.
Peace Lily(Spathiphyllum clevelandii):
Description:
Lance shaped leaves, 8"-15" long. Pretty white spathe and spadix
flowers.
Light: Low-medium,
indirect.
Temperature: Warm. Days:
71°F-85°F; Nights: 66°F-75°F.
Humidity:
Medium-high(30% or more).
Propagation: Division of
clumps.
This plant makes an
excellent and large vertical decoration. Size of plant is limited to the
size of the container it is kept in.
May need to be cut back,
as it tends to grow tall. Many herps will enjoy lounging and hunting
from the large plant.
Tank Position: Back of
the tank, in corners
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