Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know Oak leaves are the best to use, but what other species of trees can I take leaves from to use as leaf litter in my vivariums that have frogs or lizards in them?

I've got a Japanese maple in my yard, and my grandparents have got a nice magnolia.

Could someone compile a list of tree leaves that would be good to use as leaf litter and mix in the soil?

Thanks a lot.

isnt oak poisinous to herps?

I think that some people use magnolia tree leaves.
-----
phflame
kingsnake.com host

As far as I know you can use oak and magnolia leaves without ill effect.

So long as they don't give off sap or scents like pine, or are not obviously toxic like poison ivy and the like, I would think that any would be safe if they are just for decoration instead of food. I would assume that oak is okay to use. The one thing I don't know though is whether varying tannin levels would affect your frogs. Anyone have any suggestions? Make sure that you bake them though or figure out some way to disinfect them before putting them in your tank. I would hate to see a post from you saying that your leaves infested your frogs with mites or something like that. I just collected leaves from my tulip tree in my front yard, baked them, and put them in with my Blood Python. He loves having unlimited hiding places. Good luck.

Luke.