Cedar framing?

[dave g]

i am figuring how i want to build an enclosure and was curious is anyone has used cedar for the framing? i am not sure if the cedar can irritate a chameleons skin. it is naturally water resistant so it would be nice not having to water proof the wood and add more chemicals.

later, dave

 

[daveo]

Since no one is answering here I will add my 2 cents. I am by no means an expert, But I think Cedar would be detrimental to your Cham. Here is an article about the effects of Cedar on Reptiles. Now I know this is talking about its use as a substrate, but if you are going to make a cage out of it you will be cutting it and therfore releasing many of the toxins in the cedar. Oak is also resistant to weather. If you really want a beautiful cage, Mahogany is very weather resistant. I guess I am just unwilling to take the risk of the cedar, but Mahogany would be gorgeous...I think I have had an inspiration!

 

[sdheli420]

Since no one is answering here I will add my 2 cents. I am by no means an expert, But I think Cedar would be detrimental to your Cham. Here is an article about the effects of Cedar on Reptiles. Now I know this is talking about its use as a substrate, but if you are going to make a cage out of it you will be cutting it and therfore releasing many of the toxins in the cedar. Oak is also resistant to weather. If you really want a beautiful cage, Mahogany is very weather resistant. I guess I am just unwilling to take the risk of the cedar, but Mahogany would be gorgeous...I think I have had an inspiration!

STAY AWAY FROM CEDAR.AND PINE.it produces fumes that is bad for our reptilian brothers and sisters...use oak... looks good, its strong..and will last 100 years.

 

[daveo]

...reptilian brothers and sisters...

spoken as a true lover of reptiles!
I love this statement!

 

[sdheli420]

spoken as a true lover of reptiles!
I love this statement!

LOL..it just slipped out..

 

[espressodude]

No matter how good a wood's natural water resistance is, used in a cage where water is almost a constant it will eventually fail. That's why they make so many kinds of wood sealers and finshes. As far as for adding more chemicals into the mix, if you let any coating fully cure then you won't be. Unless you think there's a chance that your cham is going to start eating the cage itself.
If you look at the metal screened cages the black ones are painted black, I've never heard of those being a problem over the silver ones which are unpainted raw alluminum.
In the past when I use to build my own cages I always used pine and sealed them with the highest VOC marine varnish you can only get at the boat yards. It takes a long time to cure but it's ablity to with stand water is unmatched by any other clear finish. The so-called water based marine varnishes you get at Home Depot or other Paint Stores don't even come close to the real deal.

 

[dave g]

thanks for the replies. so cedar is out of the question now

i will have to see what my local home depot has in stock this weekend but i will probably just go with pine or oak if it is not too expensive.

thanks again, dave