BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

Hey guys!

So, odd question but I am planning on building a low basking platform for my skink (with low rams) and I had read that there are certain wood substrate types that are toxic to skinks. Is this true of structures too? I swear I've seen people with custom cages made of wood. What would be a good wood to use to build this structure?

I wanted something that I could seal so it didn't rot if there was moisture in the cage...any thoughts for those more experienced in wood working?

You guys rock!

I actually dont know with any certainty. Untreated pine and cedar wood chips have been said to be potentially toxic. Other than that, I am not sure - perhaps use the search function and see if you get any joy from previous posts?

Let us know what you find out

alichamp wrote:I actually dont know with any certainty. Untreated pine and cedar wood chips have been said to be potentially toxic. Other than that, I am not sure - perhaps use the search function and see if you get any joy from previous posts?

Let us know what you find out

Ok! So I was actually able to do some digging and here is what I found:

TOXIC WOOD TYPES:
Soft woods like: Pine, Eucalyptus, Spruce or Ceders (which are the most deadly), or anything that has been treated with chemicals are all toxic. Basically anything that has resin/sap in it since it is so acidic.

SAFE WOOD TYPES:
Aspen, Oak, Dogwood, Maple, Driftwood, Grapewood, Bamboo and a few others are safe.
There was also a great tip on the site I linked below about neutralizing wood for your enclosure by baking it in the oven so it is non-reactive.

Birch was also a maybe. I couldn't find any specific links saying it was bad, but a few people said they used it in snake enclosures.

- "Any branches or wood collected outside must be sterilized before being used in the habitat. Do this by baking the wood in an oven at 250 degrees for at least 30 minutes."

- http://animals.mom.me/dangerous-wood-ty ... -5604.html

Hello hello! Sorry to bring some old thread up, but I was curious...
I just got hold of some wood chips from my neighbour's olive tree orchard after he had to do some cutting. They're clean from untreated trees and have not touched the ground at all.
Would olive tree wood chips be suitable for substrate for my blue tongue skink? Besides the health aspect, he has always had Aspen tree wood chips, so I'm worried a change might make him upset.

I don't think that it would be toxic as olive trees aren't known to be but I've never used it nor do I know anybody else who has. I'd say use at your own risk and if you do, sterilize it with heat first.