Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok..I know the topic sounds funny but I would like to make a "jungle-gym" if you will for my Burm. My idea is to give him something to explore and climb around on when I take him out for exercise inside the house. I was removing some limbs from the backyard and thought "hey these would make nice climbing sticks for burm to lounge on" Well.. I know I don't want to just bring in the sticks from outside as they could have parasites. If I soaked the limbs in a water/bleach solution for a while and then let them dry and spray them down with provent-a-mite would this make them okay for the burm? Or would I need to do something else? Or would this just not be a good idea period. I would bake them but the limbs are too big for my oven. Any info would be great, thanks for reading guys!

Under close observation, an escape proof and uncluttered room, something like this is possible. At my wildlife center, that has many herp public exhibits, we use natural limbs that we collect from nearby forests (with proper permissions). These limbs are thoroughly washed, scrubbed, heat treated and then "provent-a-mited"; so far, we have only had a few minor bug outbreaks but nothing big. The animals seem to enjoy the natural scents and textures of real logs, branches, rocks, etc. (okay, I shouldn't say "enjoy" as that humanizes them too much but they do show a heightened level of inquisitiveness). Just make sure all limbs, branches, etc are securely anchored/attached. It sounds like you have a younger burm; most adult burms tend to just lying out close to the floor/ground. If you want to see a super cool looking burm exhibit (besides our's go check out the one at the San Diego Zoo; its burm heaven!...complete with large tree limbs, pool, lots of ground surface area, etc.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
Lake Forest, IL

>>Ok..I know the topic sounds funny but I would like to make a "jungle-gym" if you will for my Burm. My idea is to give him something to explore and climb around on when I take him out for exercise inside the house. I was removing some limbs from the backyard and thought "hey these would make nice climbing sticks for burm to lounge on" Well.. I know I don't want to just bring in the sticks from outside as they could have parasites. If I soaked the limbs in a water/bleach solution for a while and then let them dry and spray them down with provent-a-mite would this make them okay for the burm? Or would I need to do something else? Or would this just not be a good idea period. I would bake them but the limbs are too big for my oven. Any info would be great, thanks for reading guys!
-----
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

Thanks for the reply Rob..
This burm is younger atm and when I get him out he loves to explorer around my home but I have many other pets that would either not like it or would become lunch for burm. In the room where his cage is he likes to slide across the floor but the floors here are wooden and they get really cold in the winter months and he seems to like to get up higher than me (thinks hes a king?hehe) If I could get some bigger limbs anchored right I think it would look better and he would enjoy the natural scents and such. Thanks again for the info. : )