Safe wood for building enclosures

[Deej85]

Hello everyone,

My father has volunteered to help me construct an enclosure, He happens to be a carpenter by trade, so I am imagining the possibilities.

First things first:

Could someone please provide me with a list of wood species which is safe to construct an enclosure out of?

and also it might be good to list those tree species that are dangerous to house a reptile in.

Thanks

[Stefan-A]

I recommend that you avoid anything with a strong smell, in other words, most coniferous trees. I used pine, however, but it doesn't give off much fumes once its dry. But it still needed to be sealed.

[Steven@HumboldtHerps]

I agree, most coniferous woods are to be avoided. I also have used pine - primed and painted with a safe indoor latex that washes easily (the kind you might want to have in a humid bathroom!).

Really strong-smelling conifers such as cedar or redwood are potentially toxic. This is also good to know if you house snakes that do well with wood shavings as a substrate. Cedar shavings can kill a snake (fumes). Where shavings are concerned, aspen is the best!

[infernalis]

I have to agree with Steven, I once got reamed out on KS for having my feeder mice in cedar! The fumes can cause respiratory ailments in all animals when confined with the fumes.

I use MDF (counter top lumber) It is neutral, and looks good.

[Zephyr]

I'm not entirely sure what my enclosures are built out of to tell the truth. lol
I know it's a softwood, but there's no odor whatsoever.

[Deej85]

so spruce would be a bad idea? Trying to find a wood that the local lumberyard would sell.

[Stefan-A]

I'd say spruce isn't a good idea.

[infernalis]

Definitely avoid morning wood, I've heard some horror stories:rolleyes:

[count dewclaw]

"Morning wood" ??

[gregmonsta]

Doiyoiyoiyoiyoing!!! :D

[Lori P]

ROFL!!!!! Bad, bad, bad.... :D

[count dewclaw]

Oh. :o Hadn't heard that one before. :rolleyes:

[Garter_Gertie]

I'd not heard that one either! Wayne you are SO naughty!