Deer Antlers

[camaleonte82]

are deer antlers safe to use for chams to climb on? my friend has a few really cool antlers from deer and elk that she was going to give us for part of their free range

 

[BeBoSON]

I don't see why you couldn't. I would find something to round off the points though, for safety.

 

[camaleonte82]

I don't see why you couldn't. I would find something to round off the points though, for safety.

thats what i was thinking. everything i find is for using deer antlers for birds and they all say bake it and that antlers are mostly just calcium and are fine.

 

[Trillian]

That would be very cool! Have they been treated at all, do you know? Usually if they have been through some sort of preservation procedure that can help to seal it all up. Otherwise maybe some chameleon-safe varnish after baking.

 

[camaleonte82]

That would be very cool! Have they been treated at all, do you know? Usually if they have been through some sort of preservation procedure that can help to seal it all up. Otherwise maybe some chameleon-safe varnish after baking.

not treated. my friend lives in a no hunting area and she finds the left overs from poachers in the woods all the time

 

[Trillian]

Wow, cool find! I know some taxidermists put them on ants nests so the ants can pick off any remaining tissue, could be a good way to clean it before baking?

 

[PantherEnvy]

I'm jealous. I want some antlers.

 

[hydrophyte]

I put an old shed in this diorama-style viv and it made a nice effect.

 

[JonRich]

I put an old shed in this diorama-style viv and it made a nice effect.

Whats that bottle the frog is sitting on? water for the stump?

 

[reptilover]

Id take em out soak them in boiling water and even bake. For a bit. There bone so very porus. So they will grow bacteria rather quickly.

 

[ataraxia]

Old electric insulator. used on electric lines or electric fences.

 

[hydrophyte]

Whats that bottle the frog is sitting on? water for the stump?

That's an antique glass telegraph insulator. We used to find those along the railroad tracks when we were kids, but then they became a collector's item and people went out and picked them all up. I was trying to make this setup look like a little scene out in the woods.

 

[stepho]

not treated. my friend lives in a no hunting area and she finds the left overs from poachers in the woods all the time

I don't know any hunters that would leave the antlers behind. Are you sure they aren't just sheds? Deer drop their antlers and grow a new set every year.

I also can't see having antlers in your tank hurting anything. Would look pretty cool I think.

 

[boondyke69]

I do crafts with antlers & they are very hard, & not very porous except in their center. Unless they are left in contact with a water source or lying in water they shouldn't grow mold. They are very smooth tho & could be slippery for climbing on, you might want to rough them up a bit with some coarse sandpaper & them rinse them thoroughly. In the wild animals (mice etc) eat them as a calcium source.

Here I have all these antlers & It never crossed my mind...*duh*

Thanks for the great idea!!

 

[maxttu]

I have mine as a walkway between a couple of vines and sticks...

 

[breakinglass]

not treated. my friend lives in a no hunting area and she finds the left overs from poachers in the woods all the time

I doubt the woods are loaded with poachers leaving antlers behind! You do know deer and elk shed their antlers every spring and grow a new set?

 

[CamiGirl89]

Maxttu, those are awesome! I have some from a hunter who had to give them to us for illegally hunting on my family's land I now know what to use them for! Very crafty!

 

[camaleonte82]

I doubt the woods are loaded with poachers leaving antlers behind! You do know deer and elk shed their antlers every spring and grow a new set?

they cut them off and hide them in the trees to retrieve them later. sometimes they forget where they hid them and other times my friend finds em before they come back.

 

[maxttu]

Maxttu, those are awesome! I have some from a hunter who had to give them to us for illegally hunting on my family's land I now know what to use them for! Very crafty!

Thx, camigirl! I haven't seen him actually use the "bridge" yet... :/