` I use Madrone or Manzanita, which I can collect in the woods here in far-northern California. I use those very hard woods because they are not toxic to Boids, I can't use the Redwood which is so abundant around here, it is deadly! I try to find aged wood, as it shrinks slightly when drying, and the bark comes off of aged wood easily. If installed green, it can pull away from mounting points. Wood collected from the forest, I just scrub with vinegar, then peroxide. In my wooden habitats, I just run a stainless steel screw through the wall into the wood. In plastic habitats, I also install a strut to the floor at each end of the branch. I leave the base of the lateral branches, sticking out, but sanded smooth. The Anacondas and Boas need something to balance on. I use larger pieces, bolted together with lag bolts for my outside snake jungle gyms.



` I also make indoor exercise racks for winter exercise/conditioning. For these I often use Pine or Fir dowels. Pine and Fir are full of pitch and other poisonous volatiles, so I never use them inside a cage.



` The Boa likes to play with the big kids. Sometimes he gets used for a step, and gets a little squished. Doesn't seem to bother him.





` ` You must be sure any non-recessed hardware is smooth. The snakes exert much force to balance. If they were snagged on a bolt, etc., as they moved over it, it could cause a nasty wound.

` The more exercise they get, the more you can safely feed them, thus larger animals without deadly fat. The bonus is that the more you handle/exercise them, the more easy-going they get.



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To Buddhist hot dog vendor. "Make me one with everything."

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