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Question about log hides with sap

asterisk Oct 25, 2007 12:41 AM

We got this new log hide, soaked it in hot water, then backed it at 225 degrees F for half an hour. After it came out of the oven, there were spots of sap on the log.

Is sap hazardous to leopard geckos in any way? Particularly babies? This log is supposed to go into the terrarium of a 9-10 week old baby, but I just wanted to know if the sap will affect the gecko in any way.

Replies (10)

casichelydia Oct 25, 2007 03:46 PM

Sap can do funny things to lizards...

ginebig Oct 25, 2007 10:23 PM

LOL, well yeah!!!

Quig
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Don't interupt me when I'm talkin' to myself

asterisk Oct 26, 2007 12:20 AM

More info please?

Would it be safe to put the log in the terrarium?

They're just little spts of sap in places on the bark. Should I scrape them off or just throw out the log?

olstyn Oct 26, 2007 03:08 AM

>>More info please?
>>
>>Would it be safe to put the log in the terrarium?
>>
>>They're just little spts of sap in places on the bark. Should I scrape them off or just throw out the log?

I will stress first of all that this is pure speculation.

That being said, I'd expect it to be ok even if you didn't scrape off the sap, though I probably would scrape it off anyway. You certainly did your best to make sure the log was sterile, and presumably the sap has dried, so it's not sticky anymore or easily ingestible. Other than those two possible hazards, I don't see how it could be a problem, and either/both of those would be eliminated by scraping it off anyway.

The picture shown before was pretty obviously a joke, being a picture of a lizard that got trapped in a big pile of sap which later turned into amber. Little spots obviously couldn't have that effect.

Basically my opinion on this is that it's unlikely to be a problem, but if you're in any way uncomfortable with it, it's your pet and you're right to be cautious; it's better to throw something out if you're unsure than to be worried about your little friend.
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0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko - Tigger
0.1 Crested Gecko - Pooh-Bear

asterisk Oct 26, 2007 03:44 PM

Thank you

Yes, I know that was a joke, lol.
I just wanted some useful information. That's a cute gecko in the amber though.

I will scrape it off because it's for a baby leo. I don't want any chances of hazard for the little guy.

sleepygecko Oct 26, 2007 04:53 PM

Was this a bought product for lizards etc or a picked up piece? I only ask because woods like pine and cedar are really bad for geckos. Don't mind me if I wasn't paying attention earlier and you said it was store bought.
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0.1 Albino Leo Gecko
0.1 Crested Gecko
1.0 Dear Boyfriend
Departed: Harvey and Spock

asterisk Oct 26, 2007 08:45 PM

It was bought from a vendor at a reptile show.

Are sap trees really supposedly bad? I googled it up a few times but never found anything on sappy log hides...

sleepygecko Oct 27, 2007 12:19 AM

Probably hardwood then. Most hardwoods are ok. As for sap, I've never had any on any of the wood products I've bought before. I guess like others have said it is up to you. I don't think I would personally use it, but I'm a dooms day kinda person and I wonder about the gecko rubbing against any leftover sap you didn't get completely scraped off or maybe a cricket/ food item eating the sap?

I'm sorry, I'm not much help. If you trusted the guy at the show, he didn't seem like a shady dealer, and he was selling it for use with geckos, might be fine and we are just overreacting.

I think this is the first time anyone has asked about sap and we all seem to be stumped. Sorry about that, we usually are much more helpful, honest.
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0.1 Albino Leo Gecko
0.1 Crested Gecko
1.0 Dear Boyfriend
Departed: Harvey and Spock

casichelydia Oct 27, 2007 12:37 AM

Okay, joking aside, plain and simply, if your first reaction was concern, don't use the log. The product is defective. If it makes you feel any better, softwoods (pine is usually the wood of choice for hollow herp logs) are lousey hides even when sap's not an issue. They're really absorbent (where's the humidity going to be? ), so if a sap drop doesn't pull off a little claw or toe, constricting skin from poor sheds might. Consider a more functional hide for the gecko.

sleepygecko Oct 27, 2007 04:33 PM

Most, if not all soft woods are very dangerous to geckos, deadly even. FYI, just wanted to say it was more than just a "poor choice".
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0.1 Albino Leo Gecko
0.1 Crested Gecko
1.0 Dear Boyfriend
Departed: Harvey and Spock

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