Inexpensive Climbing Branches

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Originally Posted by satomi325

Not sure about the branch, but you can get cheap decorative plants and vines from the dollar store. And they're cheap enough to replace anytime.

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Good idea if you're into that look. I'm just not fond of plastic plants, they look tacky to me. I put my real plants nearby and on the tanks to weigh down the lids instead.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

They don't need anything to climb on, in fact most people don't put anything in for their BP's to climb on.

This is how I set up my cages

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_0455.jpg

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Mine look like this too. They aren't climbers, so no climbing branches in mine. I used to have a stick/log thing in one of them and they never went near it. In fact, the best piece of "furniture" you can get for your bp is these black hides from reptile basics. I am positive they adore them, because I never see my snakes anymore since I got them! :D

I like the grape wood because its treated and sandblasted. Usually, any given piece can be safely and securely placed a number of ways. Giving climbing surfaces effectively increase the amount of usable space in the cage. Terrestrial animals encounter fallen logs...a 6" tall piece of wood doesn't constitute arboreal, it's simply providing a varied environment. They aren't cheap, though, but they are solid, sturdy, and treated!

A dowel from the hardware store works well.

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Originally Posted by skinnyrascal

That's what I've heard, actually. That they need those things to rub on for shedding. Someone actually told me that they may not use the climbing branches but to not give them the option is cruel(?!)
I like the idea of finding and "making" the branches yourself. Would rather do that than buy them. ^^ Thanks for the tip!

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I got the idea right after the hurricane on the east coast hit, so I went out and nabbed a few big thick branches before the city cleaned them all up and they sat around until I was able to buy the rest of the stuff for him. Definitely the biggest money saver there.

Also try looking for clearance deals. Some PetStores won't sell customer returns at full price. I got a big climbing tree for about $5 that way, gave it a bleach bath and it's good as new.

I got mine from the beach cleaned with 10 to 1 bleach and baked in the ate 300 for half an hour or so and there you go I got climbing branches :P

I have a year old BP and she LOVES I mean LOVES to climb at night..... People are terrestrial creators just like BPs........ Get the point?

Do BPs need climbing branches? No. And not providing them with one is not cruel. In the wild, BPs spend most of their lives in termite mounds.

Now, do BPs like climbing branches? Yes! Will they use them if offered? Yes!

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...5-21-11005.jpg

The one I have in Ella's cage (in pic above) is from PetSmart and cost $16. But I found dragonwood vines on ebay. These were bird perches and I removed the screws and bolts on the ends. This is nice because they are brand new and clean and made of wood that I know is safe for animals (manzanita, java, or dragonwood are all safe). A quick trip in the oven just to make sure there aren't any creepy crawlers that hitched a ride and they're ready to go.

And BTW, I also fully agree that those black hide boxes from Reptile Basics are the most valuable piece of furniture you can get for your BP!

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Originally Posted by RestlessRobie

I got mine from the beach cleaned with 10 to 1 bleach and baked in the ate 300 for half an hour or so and there you go I got climbing branches :P

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I did this with some driftwood and rinsed/soaked extremely well in hot water a bout 4-5 times about 45 minutes each to make sure the bleach was gone and air dried. They were very large pieces and had to do in the bath tub because they didn't fit in the oven for baking. (4' enclosure and the branches were originally for a beardie but now for our BP).

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Originally Posted by skinnyrascal

That's what I've heard, actually. That they need those things to rub on for shedding. Someone actually told me that they may not use the climbing branches but to not give them the option is cruel(?!)
I like the idea of finding and "making" the branches yourself. Would rather do that than buy them. ^^ Thanks for the tip!

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Whether or not you give your BP a climbing branch won't matter to him, so it's up to what you want in this situation. He can just as easily use the sides of the tank to help him shed. Just make sure it is secure enough that a heavy-bodied snake (which he will be eventually) can't topple it over and injure himself. Also, I would immediately stop taking advice from whoever tried to guilt you into getting one by telling you it would be cruel not to.