English Ivy Need Help

Kmef07 · 03-25-09, 09:27 AM

does anyone know if english ivy is safe for snakes??????? they plant store said it is non toxic to dogs and cats but they didn't know about snakes so i am waiting to buy it until i can find out for sure.. hopefully chu will be on soon and let me know

new_ICULIZARD · 03-25-09, 11:57 AM

I wouldn't suggest using it in any of your reptile enclosures. One quick search and I found the following:

"This vine is grown both as an indoor and outdoor ornamental and have caused poisoning in cattle, dogs, sheep, and humans. Symptoms of ingestion are difficulty in breathing, convulsions, vomiting, paralysis and coma. Dermatitis is rare but can be severe with weeping blisters which respond slowly to treatment."

To find other toxic plants you can check out Poisonous House Plants.

I'd suggest using pothos. It grows in almost any conditions, very little maintenance, and grows really quite fast.

Travis

Smilts · 03-25-09, 12:25 PM

I've also found some things on it that suggest it not to be the best.

Kmef07 · 03-25-09, 05:06 PM

i want to use pothos but i can't find anyone near me that carries it but im glad you shedded some insight on that thanks guys

new_ICULIZARD · 03-25-09, 07:16 PM

I've seen pothos at pretty much any plant store and even in the plant section at Home Depot, but thats here. You should be able to find some once the weather gets nicer and the garden centers open up again.

Travis

Chu'Wuti · 03-25-09, 08:25 PM

For info about plants specific to herps:

Edible and Harmful Plants

Kmef07 · 03-26-09, 08:31 AM

The 5 garden and landscape places around me when i called and asked them just paused on the phone and said they were not familular with the plant. In other words they have no idea what the hell im talking about but i will continue to look. the thing is though that the garden centers around me are really good and really big so i don't get it.

Chu'Wuti · 03-26-09, 03:54 PM

Here's what to ask for: Epipremnum aureum. It was first identified as belonging in the genus Pothos many years ago, and by the time they figured out where it belonged correctly, almost everyone was used to the name Pothos. The whole situation is sort of like that of the Brontosaurus--which is correctly identified as Apatasaurus, but many people still call it Brontosaurus.

Here's a link to info & a photo--if you can print off the photo, take it to your garden center & see if they actually do have it. Sometimes people think it's a philodendron. The photo shows green & gold (yellow) pothos; it also comes in plain green or in green and white.

Epipremnum aureum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Oh--some people also call it devil's ivy . . .

Good luck!

Kmef07 · 03-26-09, 04:45 PM

Thanks Chu!!!!!!

once again the human encyclopedia comes to the rescue. lol

Chu'Wuti · 03-27-09, 10:51 AM

Huh? Is that what people are calling me?? Ouch. Guess I need to keep my mouth shut more often . . . LOL

Kmef07 · 03-28-09, 11:09 AM

No that is defiantly a compliment!!!!!! lol

Wolfus_305 · 03-28-09, 05:29 PM

Hah! Yes! Definitly a compliment Chu! You have helped me so many times on this site it's amazing!!
Kenny

Kmef07 · 03-29-09, 02:51 PM

Ya your word is like my reptile and info bible Chu...I never question it anymore...lol

Chu'Wuti · 03-30-09, 06:45 AM

That's not good! While I truly appreciate the compliment and the confidence, be warned--I'm by no means perfect, folks! I have definitely made my share of mistakes--ask Mykee & Aaron_S.

What I am, generally, is a good researcher, and I have access to academic databases that provide more info than people can find just loose on the Internet. That means I can sometimes add good info that some people don't have access to, and I'm glad to help.

However, I found that info about Epipremnum aureum by googling--something all of you can do for yourselves. You just have to weed out the bad info and narrow it down to the good info. You're all smart people--you can do that. Like I tell my kids, I won't always be around to help . . .

I wonder if there are snakes in heaven? It might be awfully boring there if not.