Fake plant flower buds, small parts ,etc question

[AndyS]

I have been searching the forums and I see most are using fake plants. I have seen the dedicated one for reptiles, however have seen a much greater selection at places like michael's. I know they have to be thoroughly cleaned , however my question is in regards to the small decorations like flower buds that are on many of them. I have not found an answer to this. Will the bts try to eat them and risk injuring themselves? Do you basically have to make sure that they are just leaves?

I don't have my bts yet so am planning on designing and setting up all the initial layout while waiting for cbb to be ready.

Thanks in advance.

Andy

[MechHAN]

I think they would never try to eat those fake plants...fake leaf and flower don't dont smells like real ones,bts use smell to seek food,and the don't like hard part of food,also,they like meat more than plants...
But for safty,just try to avoid the fake plants which have small part that can be tear off easily.

[Snowysmom]

I wish I could put fake plants in, but my 4 month old does try and eat anything I put in with her, so for now we are taking a break.

[splashy07]

Fake plants look great, and add some color to the enclosure, and many use them with no issues. I am extremely over-protective, and would be scared to death that my BTs would find one attractive enough to take a bite, and for that reason do not use them. I realize lizards 'smell' things first with their tongues but this does not stop my bearded dragons from trying to eat a piece of newspaper with a picture of produce on it. Also had an iguana with a flowered pattern water dish that she constantly tried to eat! All my pretty water dishes belong to my snakes now, who do not seem to care....

[Snowysmom]

Ha, ha Splashy, that's funny. I am going to have a hard time adding anything decorative to my enclosure again. I work long hours and can't really keep a good eye on my girl if she finds something edible to her that could kill her, etc.

[NickBrahz]

I doubt my Bluie would ever try to eat a fake plant if i added some to his enclosure, he doesn't even eat vegetables that i put up against his nose unless i dont feed him anything but it 10 times in a row so i doubt he would willingly try to eat some plastic ones.

[Scincoides]

As with many questions regarding blue tongues, one answer doesnt fit all. I have dozens of skinks in enclosures with fake plants that do just fine. I have some others though that do try to eat them. Its all dependent on your animal in particular. Give them a shot and if you notice the skink trying to eat them, get em out of there asap.

[splashy07]

I work long hours too, and I worry myself sick about them dropping food in their substrate then picking it up with some substrate on it and eating it...I certainly wouldn't entice them by putting anything colorful in there, especially since my Northern is particularly attracted to my nail polish! They are like little excavators anyway, and I find it easier to keep it simple and functional rather than showcase. They move around some very heavy items in their cages.
I do so love nicely decorated enclosures, though, but I think they are much more practical for smaller reptiles. If I were home all day to supervise, though, I may just give it a try!

[AndyS]

Thank you for all the advice. I think I will avoid any flowery looking ones and test out some basic green items first, then take those out if he finds a bit too enticing.

[Snowysmom]

I prefer very simple and that also gives ther lots more leg room if you will so she can move about. So it's a win win. I really have a few hides, a big water dish, and a rock basking area. She has moved some heavy hides, but only if she doesn't like them. Lol.