Coir is eco-friendly and a byproduct of a resource we will virtually never deplete (unlike sphagnum peat which takes 1000s of years to form). As it does not require sterilization, coco coir is one of the easier materials to use as a substrate. So long as it won’t allow the substrate to pass through, but it will allow water to pass through, you’re good to go. Another thing, don’t use window screen because it’s made from aluminum. Metal screens will rust and break down over time, leaving you with a mess to clean up.

The most popular leaves come from Magnolia trees. They’re massive in comparison to most leaves. Aside from magnolia leaves, oak and Indian almond leaves are popular too. These leaves are popular because it takes a long time for them to decompose. Conclusion Accordingly, you’ll likely want to follow in the footsteps of those who maintain large collections or care for entire breeding colonies.

Many keepers misunderstand the suitability of pine bark for snake maintenance, as they’ve heard that the wood of pine trees emits fumes that can be detrimental to the health of some snake species.

The best manufacturers will ‘wash and buffer’ their substrate. This is to remove excess sodium built up from seawater and prevent the binding of nutrients such as calcium and magnesium. In the reptile and amphibian world, the terms “Terrarium” and “Vivarium” are essentiallyumbrella terms for enclosures containing cold-blooded creatures. Technically speaking, however, a terrarium is an enclosure containing plants and soil; no animals. In fact, the long fibrous material extracted from these coconut husks has long had a wide range of applications; from brushes and baskets to mattress stuffing.They’re doing us a massive favour, and they are home to a plethora of wildlife andcan protect against flooding.