Safe Woods for Snake Enclosure?

I am building a snake enclosure but before I buy materials & start.. I want to make sure I don't waste money on something bad for the snakes.

What woods are bad for snakes?

No part of the wood will actually be touching the snakes due to linolueum lining everything (with silicon sealant), or plexi glass on the front... And the wood will be painted over or stained/urethaned on the outside.

But Im not sure that if I use a pine plywood or something if it is still a bad idea!


Thanks so much in advance for any input :)

I know Cedar and Pine are no good but I dont know what else if any. Im sure others will reply too.

i use a chunk of grape wood sold at pet stores that works just fine. Bottom line is that constrictor is right, no cedar or pine/resin heavy woods

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Originally Posted by Dragoon

i use a chunk of grape wood sold at pet stores that works just fine. Bottom line is that constrictor is right, no cedar or pine/resin heavy woods

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I don't think OFRD_GRL is talking about using wood in the enclosure.

Now I don't know much, but if the wood was sealed and no part of the snake would come in contact with the actual wood, I don't think the kind of wood would really matter, as none of the oils would be able to leak out once sealed.

Pine, Birch, Fir, Aspen, Oak, Walnut, Cherry, Luan, Melamine, but no cedar, redwood or boards made of compressed chips. The compressed boards used to use a formalin byproduct or solution with formalin in it, can't recall which, that was not good.

Stain, paint and seal and you'll be fine.

I did build custom cages for a few years using most the materials above. I have not made cages of Cherry or Walnut but know of them and they have been fine. I've still got a couple cages that are probably older than you are that I am still using. Birch was my favorite.

Wilomn: Pine is ok? I thought that pine was no good.

I've never had a problem with pine.

I also always use some sort of sealant. Also, most plywood or trim is not real fresh, not reaking of pine and not sticky with sap. Sure, you'll get that piney smell when cutting but it doesn't last long.

There seems to be some sort of growing movement against pine but I have no clue why. I have never had a problem with it.

I have been debating about building my new cages out of pine plywood or not. I have a ton of it in my shop, literally overflowing. Thanks for easing my mind about it. I am going to probably use pegboard for ventilation in it as well.

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Originally Posted by wilomn

I've never had a problem with pine.

I also always use some sort of sealant. Also, most plywood or trim is not real fresh, not reaking of pine and not sticky with sap. Sure, you'll get that piney smell when cutting but it doesn't last long.

There seems to be some sort of growing movement against pine but I have no clue why. I have never had a problem with it.

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I would assume, since you would be sealing it anyways, it should not cause any problems.
I have heard that there are supposively strong toxic oils in pine (hence, why you should not use it for reptiles or rodents in bedding) which I can understand more with a shredded product, but not as much with a plywood. I was always curious about it though, because I used pine with rodents for years without issues.

Also, Wes, the redwood thing is new to me. Clear me up on this?

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Originally Posted by blackcrystal22

I would assume, since you would be sealing it anyways, it should not cause any problems.
I have heard that there are supposively strong toxic oils in pine (hence, why you should not use it for reptiles or rodents in bedding) which I can understand more with a shredded product, but not as much with a plywood. I was always curious about it though, because I used pine with rodents for years without issues.

Also, Wes, the redwood thing is new to me. Clear me up on this?

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The tanins in the redwood, the microorganisms that keep it from rotting for so long, are not good for breathing. Even when sealed or painted you can still smell that redwood tang.

Of course, sealants have come a long way in the last few years and may now be good enough to completely mask these.

I never really gave that one a whole lot of consideration. I know though that when I was doing custom cages I never had a single request, not did I make on spec, a single cage of redwood.

Made a few decks, but no cages.

That may just bear some further inquiry.

not so sure on the pegboard vents. in the long run, i think they will swell up from humidity. just get some PVC ones. they will last forever.

Pine is fine! I'd stay away from any cedar. Can't wait to see enclosure pics!

AWESOME thanks for all the great info :) Started on the enclosure yesterday..
Got the complete framing done!

Will start a thread tonight or tomorrow :D