Live plants in cage (pothos)

[lostwithin]

Hi, everyone, well, my PTS have adapted too there new cage, and I’m ready too move some real plants into the cage, I just wanted too make sure that Pothos will work. I’ve heard that they eat this in the wild, but that its toxic too other animals. I have no problem with them eating it at all (as long as it won't hurt them). And when I offered it too them they didn’t seem interested in eating it any way. But I’d like too know if anybody out there has fed Pothos too there prehensile tailed skinks. Also if anybody has had any trouble with this species of plant with any of their reptiles For whatever reason feel free too let me know. Thanks,
Devon

[corr]

I don't think Pothos is toxic to any animal. I know it's cousin Philodendrin (sp) is not so good though.

[kidchameleon]

pothos are safe, along with many other plants. here is a list:
http://home.att.net/~chameleons/safeplants.html
i hope it helps

[Kyle Barker]

the ones at crystal garden ate them along with the nice fresh split leaf philo's that were planted.

[Skink Keeper]

It's fine to feed it to them, but be prepared, once the lights go out, that pothos will be gone, i had 2 PTS go through 2 Plants in one night, and not just the leaves, they will eat it till there is just soil left in the pot....lol

[DragnDrop]

Not that I want to be a pain in the patooie, but I've seen many references to pothos (Epipremnum aureum) being at least mildly toxic. One of the best references I can think of is "Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," (http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/poison.htm) by Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science.

The specific reference for Pothos (http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/Epiprau.htm) mentions "Toxic Principle - Calcium oxalate crystals.
Severity - TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. CAUSES SEVERE PAIN IN THE MOUTH IF EATEN! SKIN IRRITATION MINOR, OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES."

Maybe most herps don't eat it in quantities big enough to be more than mildly toxic, but I prefer to play it safe with vegetarian herps and don't use it with them. It is however, a plant without equal when used with dart frogs and insect eating geckos.

[icequeen]

the Pothos is related to the the fig trees that the PTS live in on the Solomon Islands.
Pothos is mildly toxic to most species...except the PTS.
You will notice that when your PTS urinates after eating Pothos, the urine will be a purply brown colour.
The urine will turn that colour due to the kidneys processing the toxins in the pothos.

My PTS loves her pothos plants. She eats them, she sleeps in them, she walks through them.... I always have at least two nice full plants in her enclosure at all times.

When they decide to go on an eating binge though, look out. They will plow through them in no time at all.

[lostwithin]

Icequeen , Do you know the name of the fig tree they live on in the wild ?? Or any other native plants or fruits?? I suppose that’s open too anybody too answer, You just mentioned the fig trees so I thought you might know.
Devon

[icequeen]

I don't know the name of it, but I know it's native to the Solomon Islands. I 'm not sure if there is more than one variety of fig or not.
Apparently though, the pothos is the next closest relative to the tree they are found in on the Solomons.