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Post by tanzanyte on Mar 3, 2021 7:43:57 GMT -8
I've been struggling to find any branches that I can put in a large sand pen, similar to what Mark has done.
The Java wood branch is the only one I've been able to find that isn't for fish tanks and therefore coated.
It was with the reptile section in P@H and I did ask and they had to get someone else who had to et someone else. The 3rd person said they thought it was ok. I bought it but don't want to put it in until I know it's safe. I've had a look online and it's not actually in any of the listings that list safe and unsafe woods for gerbils.
Any ideas?
Has anyone already used it without any problems?
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Mar 3, 2021 11:13:29 GMT -8
I believe Java wood is safe. When I was looking for a large branch I looked it up on a degu group (as they seem to have much more info on safe woods than us) and they said it was fine. I haven't actually used it myself yet though. Grapevines, from reptile shops, are also safe.
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Post by tanzanyte on Mar 3, 2021 13:32:24 GMT -8
The only grapevine ones I've seen are really long and thin. Although there honestly hasn't been much available. I don't know if it's supply issues with Covid but I keep coming stuck.
I was after a cork log but was told not to use them because they usually have lichen growing on them and they said it wouldn't be safe for gerbils.
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Mar 3, 2021 13:56:52 GMT -8
Cork logs are used a lot for hamsters and gerbils and I've never heard of anyone having a problem with them. Lichen isn't generally very poisonous (if at all) so if you remove as much as you can see I think it should be fine. I have two Trixie grapevines from Zooplus and they seem to be cut to stand upright in a cage. Both of mine are a good shape for climbing. I have seen some reptile ones that are longer and more "boring" though. This is one of my grapevines which you can see is good for climbing and perching:  |
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Post by betty on Mar 3, 2021 15:21:02 GMT -8
Yeah, the lichen and stuff inside a cork tube is fine - I have never had any trouble with it with any of my gerbils, doops, jirds or mice.
Used to buy it REALLLLLLLLLLLY cheap at reptile shows - but those I find instores are more than double the price - so no-one has been getting new cork since covid cancelled all the shows! As you can imagine there isn't much of the old stock left now!
Love that picture of your two LilyandDaisy...
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Post by tanzanyte on Mar 4, 2021 14:01:12 GMT -8
Thanks everyone. Hopefully zooplus will have some more back in stock soon. I'm a bit wary of ordering online having seen images people have shared following their purchase and aren't very happy with size, distribution and the fact that it's not stable. I'd rather be able to see what I'm buying.
I've been told Java wood is ok for budgies and rats so I think I may just try it in the absence of anything else, and will keep looking. I want to do a sand pen for the girls as so far the boys love it so I need to get more supplies as I'm short of sand as well. I'm just hoping I can get hold of one that's ok as most have the tiny friends one and that's it.
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Post by Markpd on Mar 7, 2021 4:59:13 GMT -8
I had some lichen on the outside of the last cork tube I bought, I wasn't sure about it so I removed it. When I bought my boys grapevine some weeks ago I found then their wasn't much in stock, so I bought a stick which was rather long and thin. It's not great but that's all there was, it's nowhere near as good as lilyandaisy's one (cute photo btw  ). But Blake does enjoy chewing it! [edit] Although curiously clicking this link did work for me this time, weird!
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Post by betty on Mar 9, 2021 15:20:39 GMT -8
I can't remember which one it was but there is a reptile online site (somewhere) that labels all its cork and wooden pieces individually so you can choose EXACTLY the piece you want rather that just 'cork' - so although painful to look through page after page after page after page of almost identical images - great for getting the right bit!
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Post by Markpd on Mar 10, 2021 12:16:04 GMT -8
Sounds interesting , let us know if you remember/find out who it is  . |
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Post by betty on Mar 10, 2021 15:41:12 GMT -8
Wow - just a quick search and I can't BELIEVE how expensive cork is these days - perhaps Brexit has got everyone in a tizz? anyway - I think this was them as we have brought from these guys before - but seems everything is out of stock: Internet ReptileSaw plenty of sellers on eBay with measured pieces but the delivery (for something so light) made my chin hit the floor!!! Thanks Boris. |
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Post by Markpd on Mar 12, 2021 11:58:34 GMT -8
Thanks for finding the link anyway betty Hopefully prices and supplies will sort themsleves out soon, darn Brexit and Covid! |
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). But Blake does enjoy chewing it! 
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.