Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all......ok, I have a big question for you all. The pen that we are fixing for my boxies is being made with landscaping timbers. I didn't even realize that they were made of cedar until I saw a tag on one the other day. My question is this: will the cedar harm the turtles? I know you aren't supposed to use cedar as a mulch in pens etc., but how about the whole timbers as walls of the pen? The hide areas are going to be in the center and inwards from the walls of the pen, but now I am worried that the timbers themselves will harm the turtles. I am going to put cinder block toppers along the inside walls of the pen so the turtles won't try to dig right next to the wood, but what do you all think? Is this going to harm the turtles? Thanks in advance for any thoughts you all can give me!

I don't have a clue as to whether or not this wood will really be harmful to them but I'm leaning toward the idea that it won't be.
What harm from wood comes to box turtles who live outdoors in the wild where cedar & pine trees grow naturally?

This is going to be outdoors & will only be the walls, not the mulch or bedding for them so I kind of think with all that fresh air for them to breathe all day & night, it's going to be ok.
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PHRatz

Thank-you for your thoughts PHRatz. My dh says the same thing, but I just wanted to get others' ideas too. It doesn't hurt to get other opinions I don't suppose. Of course dh will think I don't trust his opinion. Oh well! Anyone else have some thoughts?

>> Of course dh will think I don't trust his opinion. Oh well! Anyone else have some thoughts?

Typical of a DH LOL!!!!
I agree with you, it never hurts to get as many opinions as you can. I always want input from others before I make a big plunge, there is never anything wrong with doing that!
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PHRatz

cedar causes problems when theres not enough ventilation, if this is an outdoor setup I wouldn't worry.
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My Site
1.2.1 Terrapene Carolina Triunguis
0.1 Nymphicus hollandicus
1.1 Melopsittacus undulatus
1.0 American Cocker Spaniels
1.0 American Short Hair? Cat
1.1 Rouen Ducks

You shoul be fine with cedar timbers. It's a problem when cedar mulch is used as a substrate in part because:

A)The turtle is in near constant contact with the wood (and the oils)
B)Every time the turtle moves its releasing the oils by stirring up the chips and releasing more oil
C)If housed indoors, there is much less air circulation.

Cedar timbers are actually a good choice, as compared to pressure treated lumber which does contain poisonous compounds that leech into the soil over time.

I've been told they changed the way(the chemicles used) the treat PT lumber? I've also been told if you use a latex paint on them they're safe, I'm not sure how true that is though..
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My Site
1.2.1 Terrapene Carolina Triunguis
0.1 Nymphicus hollandicus
1.1 Melopsittacus undulatus
1.0 American Cocker Spaniels
1.0 American Short Hair? Cat
1.1 Rouen Ducks

Thank-you for the replies to my question about the timbers we are using for the walls of our turtle pen. I guess all is ok then with using them. I imagine I will be posting again from time to time with questions about fixing their pen so they will enjoy living in it. Heck, I might as well start right now.

Would anyone care to tell us how you have your pens fixed? I mean.....like what plants do you have in there and what type of grasses did you plant? My yard has bermuda grass in it, so of course part of the pen has bermuda in it.....the rest is dirt, but I want to add something to make it look nice as well as being useful for the turtles. You know....something they can munch on between feedings.

Ok......once again, thank-you in advance for any ideas you can give me on fixing the turtles a place they will want to call home. Of course being that they had the run of the yard for the past 2 years, that might be asking a lot from them. We will see!

Thanks again!

I used cedar in my turtle pens I built last year. It's my understanding that the turtles should be OK with it being outside with ventilation. I also put 2 coats of polyurethane to seal it. I had a lot of people tell me I shouldn't have used cedar, but I think they are wrong.

I have yet to landscape them and will do so in the srping with rcoks, grass and Hosta plants.

Here's a couple pictures of one of my pens right after I built it in my garage.

The first picture shows why I have medal lids and locks on my pens. These guys show up in my yard sometimes!

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Patrick

>>The first picture shows why I have medal lids and locks on my pens. These guys show up in my yard sometimes!

OMG!!! And I thought it was awesome to see the little grey foxes hop into my yard. I for sure see why you need metal tops on your pens, holy cow!!!
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PHRatz