Reptile & Amphibian Forums

With fall coming and all of the leaves changing around here, I was wondering if it was safe to use the dried leaves inside of my geckos cage and also my golden flying frogs cage(when i get them and set them up within the next couple of weeks) The trees in my yard are mainly maple trees, a couple of different varieties of them. Do they need to be cured similar to branches? If so, and i used the oven to cure them, what tempature does it need to be so I don't well...start a large fire in my kitchen? :-D Currently I have a layer of ecoearth with live plants in my geckos(golden geckos, btw)vivarium and I really would like the look with leaves scattered along the bottom on top of the bedding.

Thanks oodles in advance for any replies.
~Cro

During my zoo days I used oak and maple leaves all the time. I had permission to collect them off of some land that backed up to a National Forest, however, and I was assured that no spraying occurred.

I just rinsed them in water and had no apparent ill effects.

Note that none of my comments means they are safe in your area and/or for the species you keep.
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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

I have been using leaves that fall from my apple tree for years never a problem and my small lizards appear to like them. They look great to.
Some might have small insects that are harmless and get eaten if you dont want that you can freeze the leaves before using. The leaves really do add a great touch.
Malays