thats what ive been told about them but he is very active and easy to handle. Honestly he does enjoy climbing and spends a good amount of time doing so now. Ive also heard that bp's never eat their food backwards yet desmond has done this on many occasions. I think however that i may extend the wood to cover an additional side, however that still leaves the problem of what kind of woods are exceptable to the bp's and what types of polyurethane are appropriate? thanks for your help so far and your considerate answer.