Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone know if there is any safe clays that I can use to sculpt a feeding dish? I do alot of sculpting with clay and would like to know how to make cage furniture. How would I paint it? Maybe I should cast the sculpts in plastic resin.

I would skip using the clay and go with a non-toxic sculpting epoxy such as those available from:

http://www.polygem.com/zoo/zoopoxy.php

I work for a zoo and we use Polygem products for all kinds of things from making our own vines to things like the water dishes you're considering.
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Matt Campbell

"I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in." John Muir

Your a life saver. I'm gonna buy some of that stuff right away and give it a try. By the way, how can I get a job like that working for my local zoo? I would have alot of fun sculpting exhibits. Should I make a couple of demo enclosures and create a portfolio? I'm almost done with college and would love a summer job. Plus I really know that my local zoo needs a makeover. Thanks again. I've been searching for almost a year.

>>By the way, how can I get a job like that working for my local zoo?

One of the best ways to get your foot in the door at a zoo is through a volunteer program. Most zoos have docents who will perform animal talks, give out information or talk about exhibits, animals, training sessions, etc. Once you're a docent or volunteer you can get to know some of the people like keepers, curators and such. As for actually getting paying job, most zoos look for practical animal experience first and foremost - keeping and raising/breeding your own animals or through work some where like an animal shelter or vet clinic. Secondly, they look for a good academic background preferably in biology or zoology or at least a concentration in life sciences.

>>I would have alot of fun sculpting exhibits. Should I make a couple of demo enclosures and create a portfolio?

This would be a perfect way to start. Actually building some elaborate enclosures and taking pictures throughout the construction process is a good way to start. Be sure to document each step of construction. You might consider not only making something you can print out and give to a curator but also maybe something like a PowerPoint presentation on a disc. Do lots of research and build something that looks really realistic. Perhaps make something for a specific species, or maybe something generalized that could work for a variety of species - an example of the latter would be something like an 'rainforest' enclosure that would work for a variety of rainforest species from tree frogs to tree boas.

>>I'm almost done with college and would love a summer job.

Look for those internship/volunteer opportunities. Even if your zoo doesn't specifically have internship programs you might contact them and see if you could volunteer your time and arrange for your college to give you independent study credit for a summer stint volunteering at the zoo.

>>Plus I really know that my local zoo needs a makeover.

They may need a makeover, but don't tell them that. There are plenty of knowledgeable, talented keepers who are great with the animals but don't know a lick about good exhibit design or fabricating cage furnishings. They might not have anyone on staff who knows how to do what you do. Seek out an opportunity to just volunteer and learn more about what being a zookeeper is like and once you've got your foot in the door you can start offering your services to help redesign an exhibit. Finally, if you're really into exhibit design and fabrication you might look at job or internship opportunities with companies like COST of Wisconsin, or Jolly Miller. Both of them are two of the biggest companies that design, fabricate, and build enclosures at zoos. You can just 'Google' those two companies for more info on what they do and where you can see their work.
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Matt Campbell

"I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in." John Muir

Thanks for that link! Very cool.

But - for any who are still curious about clay, you can use any pottery clay that is safe for use with food/drink for people. Most craft clays will have a "nontoxic" rating on it if they are ok to use. Remember though that the pottery has to be glazed so it will be watertight (unglazed fired pottery is porous and will soak up water and let it leak out). This is if you use -real- clay only - I'm not sure how safe polymer clays are even after baking in the oven.
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Lauren Madar - OphidiaGems.com | CageMakers
1.0 BP, 1.0 Hog Is., 1.1 Hypo BCI, 1.1 Surinam BCC, 0.1 GTP

I never though about using pottery clay. Good alternative, but I don't like the glazing part. I would use polymer clay but most of these clays are not safe because of the oil.

Thank you for posting that sight. I checked it out last night and it is an awesome sight! I will be using that sight in the near future after we have moved and are settled into out new house. I can't wait to build another tank!!!