Moss is a good choice for regulating and maintaining RH in Beardie’s tank. But the question is, “Is Moss Safe For Bearded Dragons?” If Yes! ‘Can Bearded Dragons Eat Moss?’. The answer is more complex. Moss for bearded dragons is safe to use, and they can sometimes take a nip out of it. But too much does have some negative consequences, which we’ll point out & discuss in this article.

If you find your bearded dragon eating moss, quickly remove every inch & strain of moss promptly. Read this article to learn the potential risk of health issues that bearded dragons have after ingesting mosses. Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered with remedies & tips to follow when your beardie has ingested only an inch of moss.

However, contact the veterinarian if he ingested too much and exhibits worrisome symptoms. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn “Is Moss Toxic To Bearded Dragons?”, “Can I put moss in my bearded dragon tank?”, “Pros & Cons Of Using Moss For Bearded Dragons”, and “What To Do If Your Pet Has Ingested Some Of It.”

Is Moss Safe For Bearded Dragons

Yes, moss is safe for bearded dragons, but it’s crucial to be mindful of how you use it. Using moss in the moist hide or regulating RH in beardie’s tanks is a healthy choice. Moss also creates a more naturalistic environment, especially when paired with a bioactive substrate for bearded dragons. But you need to watch your beardie’s nibbling habit.

Some may try to eat it, which is not good and results in digestive issues. I’ve seen few reptilians even trying to eat the plastic-made bearded dragon plant decor – not ideal! Let’s learn a few benefits of using moss in a bearded dragon cage.

Moss For Bearded Dragons: 4 Benefits

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Moss?

Bearded dragons shouldn’t eat mosses. Moss swells up when wet. If your bearded dragon eats moss, you must keep checking on him until he poop and ensure the moss passes through. Also, if your beardie has a habit of chewing on anything you put in their cage over salad, mosses are best to avoid at all costs.

Note: If your bearded dragon poop no urate, or doesn’t pass the moss material within ¾ day, then he may need hands-on veterinary care. Schedule an appointment, especially in case your bearded dragon hasn’t pooped in a week.

Is Moss Toxic To Bearded Dragons

Most mosses are toxic-free unless we talk about forest moss containing parasites or other harmful organisms, which are fatal to beardies. Also, yard-grown mosses are best to avoid, as pesticides & herbicides used on them may poison your pet. The safest bet to take on is organically grown sphagnum moss. But this also comes with concerts of blockages in the GI tract due to indigestible material.

If you notice any of the following signs, contact a specially-trained vet for bearded dragons:

• Bloating
• Lethargic
• Looking Weak
• Paralysis, a fatal condition, especially if it is in the hindlegs.
• Straining to defecate, or you notice dehydrated bearded dragon poop.

Below are a few potential risks of using moss for bearded dragons.

Moss In Bearded Dragon Cage: Potential Risks

• Moisture Retention: As I suggest, mosses retain moisture and swell up. You must avoid mosses, especially when your hygrometer frequently gives a reading of bearded dragon humidity too high at night or all day long. 
• Bacterial Growth: Another obvious risk of having too many mosses in their tank is promoting bacterial growth that thrives & breeds in moist conditions.
• Ingestion Risks: When you put live bugs, insects, and worms for bearded dragons to eat, there’s always an accidental chance of ingesting moss while hunting, too.
• Fungal Issues: Damp condition is good for beardies’ moist hide but not as bedding. If you’ve used moss as substrate, monitor for any signs of mold or fungus in the moss or replace it entirely with one of our tested bearded dragon bedding ideas. 
• Hygiene Concern: Honestly, moss as substrate, especially mixed with coconut fiber bedding for bearded dragons, can be challenging to clean thoroughly as waste &shed skin can get trapped within, resulting in bad odor & time-consuming tasks.

After knowing the potential risks, you might wonder, “Can I put moss in my bearded dragon tank?”. The answer is “It depends!” Check below!

Can You Put Moss In A Bearded Dragon Tank

Generally, moss-like sphagnum can be a valuable addition to any beardie’s tank if precaution is taken. It’s best to use moderately in selective places like moist hide, on rocks, and in cool corners, especially where your bearded dragon spends less time. Mosses work well for aesthetics and decor and add a bit of humidity. Just be cautious about your beardie not munching on it as a salad. 

You can also use it to increase the depth of the substrate with soil like eco earth for bearded dragons at the middle, mosses at the top, and specialized reptile carpet for bearded dragons at the bottom of the tank, which not only holds moisture better but also offer an adequate balance of humidity.

You can also use leaf litter on the moss layer if you want. Just make sure you know how to clean bearded dragon carpet using F10. Do it every week to prevent bacteria growth.

If you use a sand mat for bearded dragons, clean it every 3-4 days. Here’s how to clean bearded dragon sand mats with retile-safe disinfectant. Using moss alone as the substrate may not provide enough traction for your bearded dragon to climb or may fail to hold heat. Thus, mix it with coconut husk for the bearded dragon.

Note: Don’t use moss if your beardie has a habit of nibbling or even trying to eat everything you put in their terrarium! To add dynamics & color, you can also turn to safe flowers for bearded dragons, which are edible, or use herbs for bearded dragons.

Bearded Dragon Eating Moss: Here’s What To

Firstly, I’m sorry to hear that your bearded dragon is eating moss. The first thing to do is to remove all mosses from their tank and determine how much he consumed. Depending on the moss type and quantity consumed, your dragon may or may not have an issue. Hopefully, if he ate less than an inch-long piece, wait for him to poop and pass that material. 

Prunes like these help in finding relief from moss’s high content of sorbitol.

Note: Find a Bearded Dragon Vet Near You and contact Them ASAP If Your Beardie Exhibits Any of The Above Symptoms.

Using Moss For Bearded Dragons: Few Considerations

1. Placement: Avoid placing them beneath heating sources like lamps or basking spots to prevent the moss from drying out quickly. Keeping them in corners, humid hide, and shaded areas is best.
2. Misting: Mist your beardie’s tank and the moss adequately using filtered or dechlorinated water to maintain moisture levels. Only mist frequently if the tank has a preinstalled mini dehumidifier for bearded dragons.
3. Trimming: Sometimes, moss overtakes other elements in your reptile’s setup by growing too tall or unruly. Don’t hesitate to show some tough love to prune & trim them using a clean garden shear.

Best Bearded Dragon Moss: Let’s Analyze 5 Common Ones

Sphagnum Moss: Is Sphagnum Moss Safe For Bearded Dragons

Yes, sphagnum moss is considered safe for bearded dragons. It helps control & maintain humidity when required. Golden & green Sphagnum ensures a clean, perfect shed during shedding periods, especially when you keep it in their humid hides. Sphagnum moss is popular for its microbial properties and aids in cleanliness. The soft texture of this moss is joyful to work with and can be re-used several times if washed properly. Also, it supports the growth of live plants if you place cutting on the moss layers to the root.

Sphagnum moss keeps the dirt off your vivarium inhabitants and promotes a more humid soil layer while providing a home to beneficial microfauna.

Peat Moss For Bearded Dragons (Bearded Dragons Eat Peat Moss)

Even though many people use peat moss, it’s not recommended. Firstly, it releases lots of CO2. Secondly, you’ll need to replace the peat moss daily. And, lastly, it freezes during the winter. All these negatives outweigh the potential benefits. So, avoiding peat moss is best unless you want to change it daily.

Spanish Moss: Is Spanish Moss Safe For Bearded Dragons

Over time, Spanish moss may get thick, which provides a great climbing surface for bearded dragons. Not only is it 100% safe, but it also adds variety to your beardie’s bioactive tank setup. Just avoid keeping it too damp to avoid RH issues. A HEADS UP- Rinse & bake yard-grown Spanish moss before using.

FAQs

Should You Use Backyard Moss?

You need to know the type of moss your yard has to use in your bearded dragon’s enclosure. If it’s Spanish or Sphagnum moss, rinse & bake it properly before using. Or, avoid it and invest a couple of bucks in commercially available options for bearded dragon well-being.

How Often To Replace The Moss?

Depending on the type of moss and overall cleanliness of your beardie’s setup, you should replace it accordingly. You should replace Sphagnum or Spanish moss once every 15 days. But peat moss should be changed daily.

Can You Use Moss As A Standalone Substrate? 

No. You should never use moss as a standalone substrate. Not only does it result in spikes of RH, but it also increases the risk of fungal & bacterial growth. Also, remember the risk of choking, impaction, or poisoning if your beardie munchs too much of it.

Can You Use Moss For Baby Beardies?

Absolutely not! It poses a great risk of ingestion for baby bearded dragons and may result in choking hazards. You better keep moss away from baby reptilians.

Can Moss Cause Respiratory Issues for Bearded Dragons?

Although limited studies are available, moss may cause respiratory issues because it can get overly damp and increase RH. The risk is a lot higher in poorly ventilated bearded dragon enclosures.

What Are Alternatives to Moss for Bearded Dragon Enclosures?

If you research properly, you’ll learn that there are plenty of alternatives to moss. Check our guide on bearded dragon substrate options. For now, you can switch to coconut coir, cypress mulch, or a mix of organic topsoil & play sand for bearded dragons.

My Final Thoughts With Summary 

There are many ways to regulate RH in bearded dragon tanks, such as using a dehumidifier or humidifier for bearded dragons. Also, you can find many vegetation types, including herbs, flowers, succulents, fake, live, but safe plants for bearded dragons that promote aesthetics and encourage foraging, climbing & exploration behavior, better for their mental and physical well-being. Also, using the right substrate encourages their natural behaviors like digging or burrowing.

But make sure to use the best substrate for baby bearded dragons and the right juvenile bearded dragon substrate that mimic their natural environment for best growth & health. It’s better to avoid using moss as substrate, decor, or method to control rh. Moss is only best suited to be used in humid hides that aid in shedding & for self-regulation. Only choose sphagnum moss for bearded dragons!

If you find this article helpful, fun, and informative, please share it with other bearded dragon owners looking to know about the safety of moss for bearded dragons or what to do when they find their bearded dragon eating moss.

Every pet deserves a responsible, well-informed, and caring person for the best life. Your one share may be helpful for hundreds of bearded dragons surrounded by moss in their tank that may cause GI/digestive issues, which their owners are unaware of. Informing other beardies’ owners is the best thing we can do for our reptilian friends.

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