Reptile & Amphibian Forums

In the past I've used latex paint for my snake cages, as I was generally told that this was safe.
Now I've been sold that latex paint can kill snakes. Is this true? And if it is, is there anything I can use to "seal" latex paint?

>>In the past I've used latex paint for my snake cages, as I was generally told that this was safe.
>>Now I've been sold that latex paint can kill snakes. Is this true? And if it is, is there anything I can use to "seal" latex paint?

Most things are toxic to some degree and the term "non-toxic" tends to be misused quite a bit. I would consider most latex paints to be very safe once cured and do not hesitate to recommend them.

On a related note, I encourage you to not get too wrapped up in the supposed VOC levels of various latex or waterborne paints or sealers. A lot of paints labeled as "safe" are simply regular products that are diluted down. So they may have half of the VOC's, for example, but it takes twice as much product to get the same amount of protection as a regular product.

Now this is not to say that some products don't use chemicals that are inherently more safe, many do, but the products labeled as "non-toxic" or "environmentally safe" don't necessarily use them.
-----
Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

0.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Malaysian locale (green)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java local (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

1.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Celebes locale (Black & Tan)

Got milk? Milk paint that is. Seal with a few coats of Behlens water based sealer when finished.
Milk paint comes in a variety of colors and can be mixed.
Non-toxic and sweet.

Mike