Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently built a wooden structure to support a lowered RHP in my Vision 632 to bring the RHP closer to the surface for my desired temps. After building and mounting the thing, it occurred to me that cedar and pine are supposed to be toxic to reptiles when used as a substrate. Im not even sure what type of wood it is. Im not sure if having a few pieces of wood in the cage, assuming its one of these woods mentioned, provides enough toxicity to be harmful. To be safe, I removed it until I receive further information.

You have to either seal or paint (basically does the same thing) any wood you use to construct the cage. This is mainly for the inside as bare wood will absorb moisture and screw with your humidity. As for cedar, sounds right. Not good for substrate why take a chance. Unknown about Pine though. I used pine for almost all of my less than perfect projects to include the walls of my snake cage. I painted them several times though to seal them.

Hope this helps.
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DZ

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

Thats a great idea. I shouldve thought about that. I'll look into maybe a clearcoat if they have it in spray form. Thanks.

>>You have to either seal or paint (basically does the same thing) any wood you use to construct the cage. This is mainly for the inside as bare wood will absorb moisture and screw with your humidity. As for cedar, sounds right. Not good for substrate why take a chance. Unknown about Pine though. I used pine for almost all of my less than perfect projects to include the walls of my snake cage. I painted them several times though to seal them.
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>>Hope this helps.
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>>DZ
>>
>>"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

I think you did the right thing; better safe than sorry. If the wood is cedar, even small amounts can be fairly toxic to reptiles (pine not as much). Cedar has a very strong odor so you should be able to tell.

I use pro product RHP in my neodeshas, visions, crescent moon creations, and habitat system cages and have never had to construct things to lower the heat panels closer to the floor; particularly in Vision cages since most of the models are fairly low.

Rob Carmichael

>>I recently built a wooden structure to support a lowered RHP in my Vision 632 to bring the RHP closer to the surface for my desired temps. After building and mounting the thing, it occurred to me that cedar and pine are supposed to be toxic to reptiles when used as a substrate. Im not even sure what type of wood it is. Im not sure if having a few pieces of wood in the cage, assuming its one of these woods mentioned, provides enough toxicity to be harmful. To be safe, I removed it until I receive further information.
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

When you have an enclosure in a 60 degree basement, unfortunately you do need to construct something or make modifications to compensate for such a cold room. If it were in a 70-75 degree room, I could get away with mounting the RHP to the ceiling of the cage.

>>I think you did the right thing; better safe than sorry. If the wood is cedar, even small amounts can be fairly toxic to reptiles (pine not as much). Cedar has a very strong odor so you should be able to tell.
>>
>>I use pro product RHP in my neodeshas, visions, crescent moon creations, and habitat system cages and have never had to construct things to lower the heat panels closer to the floor; particularly in Vision cages since most of the models are fairly low.
>>
>>Rob Carmichael
>>
>>>>I recently built a wooden structure to support a lowered RHP in my Vision 632 to bring the RHP closer to the surface for my desired temps. After building and mounting the thing, it occurred to me that cedar and pine are supposed to be toxic to reptiles when used as a substrate. Im not even sure what type of wood it is. Im not sure if having a few pieces of wood in the cage, assuming its one of these woods mentioned, provides enough toxicity to be harmful. To be safe, I removed it until I receive further information.
>>-----
>>Rob Carmichael, Curator
>>The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
>>Lake Forest, IL