branches

keithmatthews · #1 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 01:28 PM

Hi to every one,

This is my first time on the forum, I have quite a few animals from Spiders to fish to birds to rats and dog and others , I am very soon about to buy a 4month old royal python ( girl ) and was wondering if instead of artificial vines and branches I can use bigger real branches that have been debarked , sand blasted dried through,lots of info on this matter would be great. I have many dried wood homes for my spiders that are great but did not know if snakes could also be able to live on and around the explained wood items , anyway enough talking hope someone out there can help cheers

mreynolds55 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 02:50 PM

I see no reason why your python would not be as healthy and happy as your spiders in such a home. That much care in preparing the wood insures against any troubles you might have and your snake would enjoy the options for settling in & feeling more secure.

keithmatthews · #3 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 03:32 PM

Thankyou very much for your advice, it puts me at ease, I can now introduce the branches ready for my new arival in a few weeks, thasnk you again

froggsong · #4 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 08:53 PM

If the bark on a branch is not VERY abrasive, you can leave at least some of it on. Snakes need something rough to rub against to aide during shedding. Any found wood that you use, just has to be baked (or frozen, or both) to kill any bacteria or hitchhikers. Also, if the wood is sanded too smoothly, the snake will not be able to climb on them because they will slide off.

JohnEDove · #5 (**permalink**) 08-09-2008, 02:34 AM

I pick up river driftwood and desert killed wood all the time for my critters, it works great. Of course I boil everything for at least half an hour in 10% bleach water solution first then hang it to dry for at least 24 hours before placing it in any enclosure.

keithmatthews · #6 (**permalink**) 08-09-2008, 08:41 AM

Thanks very much for all the info Keith

froggsong · #7 (**permalink**) 08-10-2008, 02:51 AM

I think that baking or freezing is enough for found wood. Bleach can be absorbed into the wood to the point that it is VERY difficult to get out. I have one particular piece of driftwood that is PERFECT, but I can't use it because I soaked in in a FIVE% bleach solution. Not even ten. It reeks of bleach to the point I had to put it outside. Someone suggested to me to soak it in plain water with an aquarium water conditioner or a chlorine remover, but I haven't done it yet. I have soaked and soaked and soaked this piece of wood trying to get the bleach out, and it just is not working... I even soaked it for a week once. Now, I bake everything, and the heat is high enough to kill any critters or bacteria without the risk of ruining the wood with bleach, or harming my pets. I'm not saying this will happen with every piece of wood, but why risk it? Freezing is also an alternative, but I am not sure if it will kill 100% of bacteria that may be inside/on the wood. So, if you want to freeze the wood, freeze it, then bake it. 300 degrees for ten fifteen minutes or so should be fine. Alot of people say that baking dry wood is too dangerous, but I do not bake dry wood. I rinse it off before I put in in the oven to remove any loose debris or sand, and then bake it until it is almost dry. I also check it every five minutes. I feel that the risk is negligible, and I do not risk ruining my wood... I hope I can get the bleach out of the piece of wood that I have, it really is the most perfect piece of driftwood I have ever seen... My CWD is going to really love it, if he ever gets it!