Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, My friend and I aquired some real nice Manzanita branches to use for displays in snake cages. We don't want to stain it at all, we like the natural colors of the wood and bark, but we were wondering about sealing it to help keep from absorbing moistures or odors, and as an all around safety preventative. I was wondering if there was a spray type sealant that can be used, or other/better ways to coat it? We'd like to also know how long to let your preferred method (off-gas) before use. Thanks for opinions and instructions - all will be appreciated.
Take care.
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--aka DMOG68

Any spray sealant like polyurethane should work fine for your branches. I would use one with a matte finish, several coats should give you lots of wear. Off gas outside in the sun for a couple of days and you should be fine.

BigT
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Hope this helps.

BigT
There is a difference between ignorance and stupidity. The ignorant can be taught, stupidity is beyond our control.

what kind of branch is it? Depending on the type, I don't know if I would even seal it. It's not a piece of processed wood, therefore it will maintain most of the natural sealing properties.

I wouldn't use any spray poly on the branches. I don't know what kind of poly you are using for a 3 day outgas time, but either they're not fully outgassing or you're preforming some magic. It takes a couple MONTHS for an oil based polyurethane to outgas. I've never seen a water based spray anything. Even the minwax polycrylic is an oil-latex forumla... cleans up with water but still takes a long time to outgas like any old oil based poly.

Now, if you really want these branches to be good "forever" and have a long time to let them sit out in your garage or wherever, get yourself a can of minwax spray polyurethane and spray them down in 3 coats. I'd just put them bare in the cage
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-Chris

The reason mainstream thought is thought of as a stream is because it's so shallow. -George Carlin

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No real magic to outgassing poly. I either put it out in the sun if the weather's good or I put it under heat lamps.

I will agree that I like the natural look of unfinished branches and it's ok as long as they're processed to remove bugs and bacteria. If you are using them with species that may defecate on them then finishing will make them easier to clean and sanitize.
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Hope this helps.

BigT
There is a difference between ignorance and stupidity. The ignorant can be taught, stupidity is beyond our control.

Sealing shouldnt even be necessary..just bake it in the oven for an hour at a low temp and that will kill and nasties that might be in the wood..i have done it several times and have had no problems even in high humidity setups

No sealing should be necessary. I've used dozens of branches collected out in the woods in my cages for years. The only thing I've ever done is treat them with a spraying of Provent-a-Mite to kill off any wood-boring insects or other arthropods that might be hitching a ride. To date I've never had snakes get mites or seen any other insects within my cages as a result of using 'wild' branches. As for Manzanita, it's one of the more durable and pest resistant woods you can use in a cage. That's why it's such a favorite of the bird crowd. Also, Manzanita will age over the years and take on interesting weathering characteristics, particularly if you leave it out in the sun for a few weeks now and then, say after doing major cage cleanings. I'd skip the sealants, that's simply more trouble than it's worth and again, it's really not necessary.
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Matt Campbell
Animal Keeper, Small Mammal/Reptile House
Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago, Illinois

Assistant Curator
Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, Illinois