My girlfriend has a shelf that she is throwing out that I was thinking could be converted into some leo enclosures if I put a piece of plexiglass over the front. It is wood, and the whole thing is painted. Would this paint be dangerous in any way?
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painted shelf ok for enclosure?
cs
Dec 25, 2003 03:52 AM
Replies (2)
StarGecko
Dec 25, 2003 12:31 PM
Leos will lick everything in their enclosure. For this reason many people feel it is best to be extremely cautious about what we piut in enclosures, especially potentially toxic materials. If it is lead paint is would of course not be okay. Most latex paint is formulated not to be horribly harmful, at least to human kids, but a reptile's physiology is different that a humans. For example as I understand it cedar wood is fatal to leos, the oil in it is very toxic to them or something. The answer is basically I don't know if it would be harmful or not, it but it sounds like you might be putting a potentially toxic substance in the enclosure- if there is a possibility of it being ingested (matte paint, peeling paint) I would definately not do it, and if it seems like there is a firm seal...I don't know.
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NateDiggity
Dec 25, 2003 10:19 PM
It is a very good chance the shelf is panited with a lead paint. Sand it down VERY thoroughly. There is a paint that I used for my Water Dragon enclosure made for small children. It is completely safe. I believe it is called "Simple Touch" or something like that. Ask the ppl at the paint store - they will know.
