Gloss Pain safe for my snakes

[jaybox_reptiles]

Hi all i have some old dryed out branches in my back yard that i want to make climbing poles out of i want to stripp the bark and paint it with like a gloss coat but i have no idea what i culd use that would not be harm full to my reptile (Lizards and Snakes) so i was wondering if yall had any paint suggestions.... thank you

Jay
Box

[Invictus]

A few questions.

1) What type of tree are these branches from? If you're not sure, DON'T use them.
2) Why would you want to paint them? What's wrong with the natural wood look?

If you paint them using a high gloss paint, the reptiles probably will not use them. They won't be able to grip it well enough. :) Seriously, if you're going to put branches in, go "au naturel".

[jaybox_reptiles]

ok kool thx man do you no if i should sand it then back or back then sand? oh and the tree is an apple tree but i also can get some plum tree or pine tree what do you suggest out of those?
thank you,
Jay
Box

[jaybox_reptiles]

well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Linds]

Patience ;) People will answer.

Pine sucks, so does any other softwood (aromatic). They are toxic to some degree or another, not to mention the sap is messy. As far as I know, apple is fine. Sealing the wood is a good idea for cleaning and to help keep out pathogens. You can use an exterior urethane or if you wanted to go a full job, an epoxy... epoxy probably isn't necessary unless its a swampy environment.

[eyespy]

Apple, peach and cherry woods contain some arsenic and aren't the best choices either. Hardwoods like maple and oak are safer.

[jaybox_reptiles]

ok kool thx

[Linds]

Thanks for the info eyespy :) Never heard anything negative about those woods before.

[MistyDaze]

A clear coat should do the trick but use a matt not a gloss. Logs and branches aren't glossy. Don't sand just remove what bark you can (even leave bits here and there) you want to leave the natural highlights and textures.

[Bryce Masuk]

It doestn matter what wood you use since it is sealed No smell or arsenic Will be able to creep though I have seen people use cedar branches in cages with No Problems over the last 8 or so years

[snakemann87]

Told you theyd help ya Jay!;) And now I know what is safe!

[jaybox_reptiles]

yup lol

[tHeGiNo]

When I use branches I got from outside I throw them in the oven for a bit then sandblast them. They look awesome sandblasted.

[jaybox_reptiles]

if i dont have a sand blaster were can i get one and what kind and for how much USD?

[eyespy]

Originally posted by snakemann87
though I have seen people use cedar branches in cages with No Problems over the last 8 or so years

It's usually pretty tough to see symptoms of phenol toxicity in reptiles. It embeds itself in the air sacs in the lungs and since reptiles don't have diaphragms they can't cough it up. It's not usually picked up unless someone puts actual tissue samples from the lungs to the test.

Rodents will often cough up mucus but herps can't do that.

[Invictus]

The point is, and I think I agree with Bryce on this one, if the wood is properly sealed, it can't harm the reptile. None of the resins, arsenic, or toxic constituents from the wood can get out, just as moisture can't get into the wood.

[eyespy]

Yes, but not everybody seals their wood so it's important folks know which ones to avoid if they prefer to use natural branches.

[Linds]

Originally posted by eyespy
since reptiles don't have diaphragms they can't cough it up.

This has always puzzled me... i once *saw* a burm with a severe RI do what appeared to be cough-sneeze up a bunch of phleghm... what was this? She would do it quite frequently.

[Bryce Masuk]

Jay, A Sand Blaster can be cheap to very expensive you will need a Compressor that keeps up with the Cab and A cab Big enough to fit your sticks (70 bucks to 2000 bucks+) You would be better off Taking it to a Blasting shop to get it done or take it to school with you and chuck it in the blaster they have in the metal shop

[eyespy]

Snakes have very powerful intercostal muscles (the muscles between ribs, pretty much all the muscles snakes have, lol!!) and can force things up from fairly low in the respiratory system if they are still strong enough. Still, lots of junk accumulates in the lung bottoms where they have little or no chance of clearing it.

Still, only the constrictors are strong enough to force up much mucous and that drains them pretty quickly, they can't usually maintain that strength for very long.