Brumation conditions: Dry, humid or wet?

[Stefan-A]

What type of wood are you using?

[Thamnophis]

As far as I know it is mainly wood from Pinus sylvestris and/ or Picea abies.

[Thamnophis]

I do believe that, but as you probably already know, fungus is not always seen but can be detected by smelling the substrate.

I agree, but no smell, no coloration and no ill snakes for many years are allright by me.

[snakeman]

I brumate my snakes for 4 months every year.water bowl,paper towels,and a hide. I check on them one time during the 4 months.substrate is always wet from them going in and out of the bowl.usually some mold in there too.never had any snakes have blisters or die during brumation.

[snakeman]

Urates in the water?cmom some elite athletes drink thier own urine because of the health benefits.the blisters you are speaking of are from a fungus thats gets spread from den to den from people going to multiple dens poaching their snakes

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Does the substrate have to be damp or soaking wet?

[guidofatherof5]

As far as I know it is mainly wood from Pinus sylvestris and/ or Picea abies.

Any concerns about the aromatics in the Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Norway Spruce (Picea abies)?
Is it the chemical make-up and possibly the temp that keeps the wood from starting to mold?
Is this wood only used in brumation or as a normal bedding too?

Thank you Steve Schmidt for the discussion on this subject last night.

[ConcinusMan]

Any concerns about the aromatics in the Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Norway Spruce (Picea abies)?
Is it the chemical make-up and possibly the temp that keeps the wood from starting to mold?
Is this wood only used in brumation or as a normal bedding too?

Thank you Steve Schmidt for the discussion on this subject last night.

That's funny. I was just about to post the following when I read your thread Steve.

As far as I know it is mainly wood from Pinus sylvestris and/ or Picea abies.

No wonder it doesn't mold. And I am pretty sure you shouldn't use pine or cedar for reptiles and some other animals. For the same reason it doesn't mold. The resins are toxic. Some people don't believe that because they've "been using it for years". Yeah, all the while it's been quietly causing organ damage in your reptiles.

I use aspen and if you were to use it, or any safe hardwood, I'm pretty sure you'll see what I mean about keeping it wet. In no time at all it smells like an old wet sock that's been sitting in the laundry basket for a month. Then a bit later, visible mold/mildew appears. The spores are not good at all for the respiratory health of the snake.

So, which is it? I mean, the package either says it's pine or it doesn't. No need to guess what it is.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Could moss be used to avoid the mold?

[ConcinusMan]

Not sure. I do know that live moss doesn't mold but once it dies it can mold and start breaking down. How about keeping it dry in the first place so it can't mold. There's a novel idea.