Zoo Med New Zealand Sphagnum Moss is a natural moss that can help in raising humidity levels inside the terrarium.
It offers powerful absorbent properties with softness that is lush and carpet like.
This moss is able to hold up to twenty times its weight, making it suitable for living plants and reptiles that love high humidity, such as blue tongue skinks and leopard geckos.
Pros
- Holds up to twenty times its weight in water, helping it stay moist for longer
- Natural moss without any dyes or chemicals
- Suitable for reptiles and amphibians, along with invertebrates
- Can be reused
Cons
- Brown and dry, not as green and lush as expected, though it does the job
- Can be a bit expensive when compared to other substrate options
Design and Features
The Zoo Med New Zealand Sphagnum Moss comes in two sizes: the 80 cubic inch block, and the 150g block.
This sphagnum moss comes from New Zealand and offers excellent absorbency to provide a humid environment for your reptilian pet.
This long-lasting moss can be washed and reused a number of times.
Sustainable methods are used in the harvesting of the moss, which is able to hold up to twenty times its weight in moisture.
This moss is fantastic for natural bio enclosures, where you want to have live plants.
The moss can be used in a hide to create a humid hide to assist with shedding to helping boost humidity levels to ensure your reptile remains happy and healthy.
Parts and Accessories
While boosting humidity to make your pet feel comfortable and ensure their overall health and well-being, you need to be able to measure your humidity levels accurately.
The Zoo Med Labs Digital Thermometer and Humidity Gauge enables you to quickly read your humidity levels, so you can see how the moss is working and whether you need to mist or reduce your moisture accordingly.
The gauge comes with a waterproof probe, making it suitable for use in a humid environment.
Usage and Maintenance
When the Zoo Med New Zealand Sphagnum Moss arrives, it will be compressed in a bag.
When you wet it, it will expand. All you have to do is soak the moss in a bucket of water, give it a little squeeze now and then to help it absorb the water.
You want it just damp, so you can wring it out before you add it into the enclosure. You don’t want it soaking wet.
The moss is excellent when used to cover another substrate, creating a carpet like layer similar to what would be found in the wild.
Another substrate below, such as coconut husk, can provide the burrowing and digging substrate your reptile needs.
Place the moss around your water bowl, so it can absorb any spills.
You can clean and reuse the moss quickly and easily.
How to Clean
To clean and reuse the moss, remove it from the enclosure and put it in some clean water, similar to when you first prepared it. Swirl it around a bit and wring it out.
Follow this process a few times until the water runs clear and the moss smells clean.
Remove feces daily to keep your enclosure fresh and clean.
How Often Must You Replace?
This moss is designed to be used up to four times before you need to replace it with new moss.
Is This a Good Quality Product?
This Sphagnum Moss has proven to be an effective product that can be used in a humid terrarium with confidence.
What I Like About the Product
- The moss assists in maintaining humidity levels
- It is able to hold up to twenty times its weight in water
- Stays moist for longer, reducing the need for regular misting
- Mold resistant
- Doesn’t stick to wet reptiles
What I Don’t Like About the Product
- It’s more expensive than some of the other natural substrates on the market
- Risk of mite introduction is increased
- Sometimes is brown and not as green and lush as expected
What Reptiles Can Benefit from the Zoo Med New Zealand Sphagnum Moss?
- Salamanders
- Blue Tongue Skink
- Geckos
- Frogs
- Toads
- Some snakes such as green snakes, ribbon snakes, garter snake, and more.
- Anoles
- Hermit crabs
- Any amphibian and reptile that needs a high humidity level.
Related – Exo Terra also offers forest moss which is nearly the same. Read our Exo Terra forest moss review here.
Summary
Overall, the Zoo Med New Zealand Sphagnum Moss proved itself when it comes to improving humidity levels and creating a comfortable and natural habitat for reptiles that enjoy a higher humidity in their enclosures.