Reindeer Moss

[Rivetchick]

Has anyone used Reindeer Moss in your vivarium? I use it with my pitcher plants and orchids all the time but never in the enclosure containing my frogs. I have a ton of it growing wild here and thought I might use it in my next vivarium construction project. Any thoughts or experiences?

[Philsuma]

The stuff people refer to as "Lichen" ? Isn't it dried and dead for the most part, when we see it for sale (in bags) ?

This stuff, right ?

http://www.amazon.com/Reindeer-Moss-Oun ... B003VWHHUA

[fieldsmith]

I know some people that use it in their vivs. Supposedly it serves as a kind of feeding station because the FF's are drawn to it. I don't really like the way it looks, but I have considered using it because of its durability. One breeder I know swears by it because instead of replacing banana every week, they just throw a chunk of reindeer moss in the growouts and it lasts until the froglets can be sold.

[Rivetchick]

Thanks for the replies so far....

Philsuma- Yes, that's the stuff. It dries out but becomes very soft when dampened. I will try and get some pics of it used with my pitcher plants.
Field Smith- Thanks for the information! That is very helpful. I am going to have to try it out in the vivs now.

[Philsuma]

I know some people that use it in their vivs. Supposedly it serves as a kind of feeding station because the FF's are drawn to it. I don't really like the way it looks, but I have considered using it because of its durability. One breeder I know swears by it because instead of replacing banana every week, they just throw a chunk of reindeer moss in the growouts and it lasts until the froglets can be sold.

Weird...never heard of this. Most craft / hobby moss is artificially coloured and probably contains chemicals and fixatives. I would not want anything fake like that in my viv, let alone (heaven forbid) a feeding station.

[Rivetchick]

Let's just hope that most people would realize that and read the package or circumvent the issue and collect from the wild.

[Philsuma]

I've seen that Lichen in Florida - growing wild. It's unusual stuff and I wish I knew more about it, about plants in general.

[Rivetchick]

It grows in random places all over my farm here in TN. Slow growing I've read. Looks really weird on the ground when you find it since its so stark against the ground.

[fieldsmith]

I know some people that use it in their vivs. Supposedly it serves as a kind of feeding station because the FF's are drawn to it. I don't really like the way it looks, but I have considered using it because of its durability. One breeder I know swears by it because instead of replacing banana every week, they just throw a chunk of reindeer moss in the growouts and it lasts until the froglets can be sold.

Weird...never heard of this. Most craft / hobby moss is artificially coloured and probably contains chemicals and fixatives. I would not want anything fake like that in my viv, let alone (heaven forbid) a feeding station.

To clarify, I have only heard of people using reindeer moss that they collected, not bought. I definitely wouldn't use the stuff that craft stores sell, I'm sure that you are right about dyes, fixatives, etc... But I would say that collecting it yourself and properly sterilizing it should present no problems.