Toxic???

[snake_girl]

My friend suggested to me today as we were shopping at a pet store, that a bird ladder (those ladders you put in the cages for the birds) would make an great climb for her hatchling boa and mine too, I’m just wondering I think the wood is pine, would it be a bad Idea to try it out?

Thanks
Grace.

[Corey Woods]

Cedar is a no no..........Pine is fine.

Corey

[snake_girl]

thanks!!

[Linds]

Pine is mildly toxic as well (actually all aromatics are), though not nearly to the extent that cedar is. It has been linked to R.I.'s and other associated problems in small animals and more recently, in reptiles. That's the reason pine shavings is not recommended as a substrate, and aspen is used instead.
I know the ladders you are talking about and I believe they are made of hardwood. But if it is pine, I don't see that there is enough to cause and problems, since its toxin is so mild that I don't think it will affect the snake being just a ladder, since it will not be like substrate when the snake lives in it, and it is replaced more frequently so the oils are fresh.

[Corey Woods]

Actually, if you wanted to get technical all soft wood is toxic. It's not the actual wood it's the oils in the wood. Cedar is quite toxic but pine is not that toxic. I keep all my rodents on pine and then the snakes eat the rodents......never had a problem.

Corey

[Linds]

LOL...that's what I said "all aromatics" ;)

Yeah I keep my rodents on pine, the mild toxins cant be transmitted via the feeders so I am not worried.

[snake_girl]

thank you both for your help!