Pine

[Monty]

Why is pine bad for reptiles? I can understand why treated pine is bad for cockatoos and such, because they physically chew on it. Do snakes chew on wood also?
Is pine that has been coated with several layers of toxic free varnish okay?

 

[Artie]

Yeah varnished is ok!
It?s supposed to be only bad as substrate, as the fine dust, if inhaled is not too good for the snake, actually quite toxic. So I read somewhere anyway!
I thought it applied to cedar as well, but I?m not 100% certain about that.

 

[cyber_crimes]

Yep fine materials such as saw dust,wood chippings and kitty litter is no good for substrate.The reason being is that it is often swallowed when eating prey items from floor level and can give the snake Gut impaction as well as may be toxic to them.
An enclosure made from pine is suitable when varnished with toxic free laquer.