Is pine acceptable to build enclosure with?

Just trying to get ideas right now but is pine plywood safe to build an enclosure with? It will be sealed so I was wondering if that makes it safe? Might also use something moisture proof to line the inside with.

i would personally avoid using it. sealed or not.

I also would stay away from it.

IF sealed your fine, theres few members on this site with 20 years of using Pine bedding for snakes, no ill effects.

The stronger the odor of pine the more toxic it is, kiln dried will be fine.

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Originally Posted by tlich

Just trying to get ideas right now but is pine plywood safe to build an enclosure with? It will be sealed so I was wondering if that makes it safe? Might also use something moisture proof to line the inside with.

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It's safe.

perfectly fine

I have built several enclosures from 3/4" pine plywood. I stained them then coated them several times with water based polyurithane. I built these several years ago and I still use them today I have never had any issues at all. I would recommend the expanded pvc though it is a much better material but cost quite a bit more too.

It's totally safe if you seal it well enough. I would recommend you avoid anything pressure treated though because that's treated with chemicals...

Thanks for the replies

I built all of my racks out of pine and have raised hundreds of hatchlings and breeder leopard geckos, corn snakes, and ball pythons in them with zero problems. It's safe

There is nothing wrong with using pine, I've used it plenty of times myself for home built enclosures. If someone is telling you it's bad for your snakes, make them site references because quite frankly the 'volatile pine oils' explanation is a load of bull when discussing enclosures made from pine lumber.

used and built many cages with pine, I use bed liner paint ( inthe past ) to seal the inside and make water proof. (if you can find it still) makes sure you seal it outside. the stuff is strong and would allow 2-3 days to air out. I often put vent holes in the wood so the air does refresh itselh during the day.

completely safe. Pine is in most melamines composites too and they usually don't get the edges sealed at all. I would worry about melamine more than straight pine. Both have been used for years.

I would avoid most tropical hardwoods like cocobolo and such they can be quite toxic.