In the July 2005 REPTILES issue, they have an article ("Cold Blooded Cribs"
discussing the good and bad things you can use with your reptiles in their enclosure. They mentioned on page 65 to "avoid rocks that seem lightweight, airy, puffy........also avoid rocks that have distinct patches or veins of bright, unnatural colors, such as blue, yellow, green, red, or rusty organge or a metallic sheen." Now, can anybody explain the negative effects those rocks with the artifical color veins have? I am using a slate that has some bright red and orage for my kingsnake, and I notice that when cleaning it, some red pigmentation shows up on the soap shuds, so I'm guessing it is somewhat unnatural (has an unusual odor as well) Should I find something else to use with my kingsnake? Thanks a lot.
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REPTILES July 2005 Article concerning rocks......
Replies (3)
Sounds like ca-ca to me! I see no reason to avoid a rock based on color or texture. Maybe based on size & weight - due to possibility of breaking terrarium glass.
I wonder if the writer of that article can defend their postion with logic, reason & specific examples.
I did not read the articule, but I can imagine they may be refering to rocks containing asbesto, lite ones etc. and The veins may contain heavy metals, like the blues, greens etc, are copper sulfates.
Othe then that, I would be concerned with squashing the reptiles. An old zoo(exhibit) rule is, all heavy things must be secured to the bottom of the cage, as to not squish things. FR
Rocks with bright colors tend to have higher quanities of metal salts than other rocks. I don't know of any data that show that these metals are transferable to the snakes (or harmful if they do transfer).
I am using a slate that has some bright red and orage for my kingsnake, and I notice that when cleaning it, some red pigmentation shows up on the soap shuds, so I'm guessing it is somewhat unnatural (has an unusual odor as well)
That doesn't sound good. That sounds like some sort of oily contaminant with the slate. If it is coming off in soapy water, it is coming off on your snakes. The fact that it gives of an odor lends me further to believe it is some sort of oil. I would put those in my garden for decoration and get some clean rocks if you must have rocks.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, TX
