Maple branches in tank?

[thegoalie22]

I have a huge maple tree outside my house. I wanted to put some of the smaller sticks in my bp's tank for him to climb on. Is this safe and if/how should I sterilize them?

[gmcclurelssu]

I would think maple would be ok, but don't quote me on that. Depending on the size of the stick you could boil them and dry them out well, or throw them in the oven at a low temp. I have done this before and as long as its not too hot and the wood is dampish it should be fine.

[Solinger]

I don't have an answer about how safe the wood is for your snake however Ball Pythons are not arboreal and mine are kind of clumsy when they do climb to any height. I have fake plants in my tank but I would be worried about them falling if I had branches for them to climb on.

We have two ball pythons and as long as they have something to hide in they seem pretty content.

I say skip the branches and save the hassle of drying and sterilizing them.

[Izzys Keeper]

my girl is quite the active climber (especially lately since shes getting too big for her hide. idk if its a good sign or not but shes only once ever missed a meal.) all night shes up and down the branch. it couldnt hurt to try. if she doesnt like it throw it out. no big deal. give it a go. make sure to sterilize it first and id advise a live branch rather than something you found laying around the yard. there could be some rot inside it that might not last too long with a growing snake on it. my opinion tho

[Solinger]

I don't have an answer about how safe the wood is for your snake however Ball Pythons are not arboreal and mine are kind of clumsy when they do climb to any height. I have fake plants in my tank but I would be worried about them falling if I had branches for them to climb on.

We have two ball pythons and as long as they have something to hide in they seem pretty content.

I say skip the branches and save the hassle of drying and sterilizing them.

I can't edit my post? We have two separate tanks. One for each snake.