I have recently been reading here that galvanized screening should not be used in cham enclosures. many of the older books that have been pointed to for sound advice on cham husbandry show this material being used. I've seen many pictures from those who pursue degrees in herpetology rather than just being a good hobbyist breeder where the galvanized screen has been used. Just as Chris Andersons article about DIY enclosures brought forward the fact that there is much confusion about pressure treated wood I think sometimes we pass the "I was told not to use that" on as if there is solid evidence that we really shouldn't use that. I only bring this up because building ones own enclosure can be challenging when it comes to finding suitable material. None of the home improvement stores near me carry vinyl coated mesh. Ordering can be problematic if you don't need a huge roll of something. I've searched some online but can't find much info about the dangers of using galvenized mesh. I know that in avian circles there may be some info, however most birds chew the mesh of their cages to clean beaks, sharpen, ect. I was hoping to maybe get a broad view from those with long term experience regarding this subject. Please understand that I am not advocating the use of possibly harmful materials. Instead I am hoping to glean information from those with real world experience so that I can make logical descisions about my husbadry choices. Look forward to the responses.
This might spark debate!
- Thread starter Scaley
- Start date
PardalisGirl
Avid Member
I don't use galvanized steel wire products for my lizards. I have two stainless steel cages (big ones on rollers) from Cages by Design for my two adult iguanas. I have a stainless steel cage that is 60" high by 60" long by 48" deep (with several partitions) that I keep outdoors. I have big potted shrubs in them. I try to rotate my chameleons into them during the summer. They love it and it keeps them from becoming an eagle snack.
Like galvanized steel, stainless steel won't rust which is very important because of the misting/watering needs of lizards. The problem with galvanized steel is that it is coated with zinc. The process for making the galvanized wire product makes this zinc flake off very easily. You don't have to chew on it to make it flake off. Normal use will make small amounts flake off. When I say flake off I don't mean large visible flakes. I mean very small particles. If you take a look at the process of making galvanized steel you will see that it is actually designed to continually shed zinc particles. Continual shedding is the process that prevents rust.
Spraying the cage with water will dislodge the particles a little at a time. I worry that they will land on the plants and the lizards will ingest it when they drink from the plants. Iguanas taste everything with their tongue so I don't want galvanized steel used with them either.
The effects of zinc from cages on birds is pretty well documented. Birds do get zinc poisoning from galvanized steel cages. Cages by Design makes more bird cages than they do reptile cages. That's probably why they use the stainless steel. I would rather be cautious and not use galvanized steel products for my lizards if it is already pretty common knowledge that is a problem for birds. It is not hard to imagine the zinc getting onto cage plants for me! Boy am I wordy today. And I have way too much lizard doo doo to clean up. Bye!
Like galvanized steel, stainless steel won't rust which is very important because of the misting/watering needs of lizards. The problem with galvanized steel is that it is coated with zinc. The process for making the galvanized wire product makes this zinc flake off very easily. You don't have to chew on it to make it flake off. Normal use will make small amounts flake off. When I say flake off I don't mean large visible flakes. I mean very small particles. If you take a look at the process of making galvanized steel you will see that it is actually designed to continually shed zinc particles. Continual shedding is the process that prevents rust.
Spraying the cage with water will dislodge the particles a little at a time. I worry that they will land on the plants and the lizards will ingest it when they drink from the plants. Iguanas taste everything with their tongue so I don't want galvanized steel used with them either.
The effects of zinc from cages on birds is pretty well documented. Birds do get zinc poisoning from galvanized steel cages. Cages by Design makes more bird cages than they do reptile cages. That's probably why they use the stainless steel. I would rather be cautious and not use galvanized steel products for my lizards if it is already pretty common knowledge that is a problem for birds. It is not hard to imagine the zinc getting onto cage plants for me! Boy am I wordy today. And I have way too much lizard doo doo to clean up. Bye!
