Wood? Wood! Yes WOOD!

[froggysan]

Hey there folks, this would be my first post... I've been doing some searching about online, local petshopps, and even through the forums and I've had some difficulty making a decision/finding some answers about wood.

I'm looking to pick up something very similar to what is displayed over here --> http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/flexarium.php

Not the enclosure itself, but the wood that is displayed in their setup. From what I've researched there are several generally used wood types. Grapewood, Dogwood, Ghostwood, and Manzanita.

Also, from what I understand the wood that generally has that "woodie" look rather than a rough hewn bark has been sandblasted, and sometimes treated afterwards.


I have two terrariums, one that is about the same shape and size of the one in the above link, and a few pieces exactly like that would be fantastic. Petsmart doesn't seem to having anything of that size. Typically they have the Jungle Gym brand contraption which is not completely sandblasted, is generally fairly small, and is outrageously priced. The resources I've found online often have a generic image... and ballpark measurements. For this terrarium they would have to be a few pieces of generally thicker, nicely sandblasted likeness. Any ideas what type of wood they're showing here? and perhaps a good place to get some of that size?

The second terrarium is home to a few White's Tree Frogs, and hopefully soon to be a Red-Eyed as well. In the picture show over here --> http://www.blackjungle.com/Merchant2/waxy2.jpg you can see a very nicely sandblasted, semi complex branch structure that has branches thick enough to support a fully grown White's... Which is about 5 inches from snout to vent. So like the above paragraph, anyone happen to know what type of wood is being shown there? and secondly where one might acquire something like this?


Anyway... I've rambled on long enough... Thanks in advance for anyone that takes a few minutes to respond.... And in place of useful information witty comments are a welcome alternative!


Cheers!

 

[Chameleons Northwest]

I don't have a whole lot of experience with this subject, but I did notice that here in Washington the wood dealers show up at the reptile shows with some beautiful pieces. I wish I had purchased a few in October. My recommendation would be to attend reptile shows (if there are any coming up near you) and either purchase there or talk to the dealers about their product?

People who work with stained glass often use/own sandblasters for detailed etching. Perhaps a local glass artist would allow you to use their sandblaster in their shop? That's if you found the right piece of wood.

I know what we don't like- we don't like the pieces with all those nooks and crannies the feeders to hide in for days.

 

[froggysan]

Great idea! Never thought of going to one of those expos of sorts.

I don't suppose you know of any traveling expos that come to Canada do you? specifically Toronto? Other than: http://www.reptileexpo.ca/ ? Or even perhaps just barely across the border? something easy to travel too? where I won't have to hide the tree branches in my wazoo just to get them across the border?

Cause I just missed that expo sadly -- don't want to wait a year until the next one.


Suggestions?

 

[Will Hayward]

Froggysan,

-The Ontario Reptile Expo is about every two months. Not yearly. The site just hasn't been updated. teh next one should be in late January or Early February. They have also expanded to host a couple shows in Ottawa (Kemptville) and Montreal. There should be new locations coming at the end of this year as well.

-Manzanita wood is useless for a chameleon. The shape that it grows in is not useful for arboreal reptiles. It would be OK for a frog or terrestrial reptile.

-EcoTerrariumSupply (www.ecoterrariumsupply.com) sells branches that wouild be useful for what you want. Alternatively you can find grapevine around.

-Don't house Red Eye Tree Frogs and White's Tree Frogs together.

-Insert witty comment.

 

[dectr6]

Another great place to get sandblasting is at tombstone suppliers. Yes...those places that sell gravestones. Their usually dirt cheap also. Almost any town of decent size has a graveyard that also sells gravestones and does sandblasting. I've taken about six one to two inch diameter branches and vines and the guy charged me eight bucks. I've used different ones for everything from car parts to branches over the years. good luck. David

 

[froggysan]

Hey there, Thanks for the info on the Expo! Glad to hear I don't have to wait very long.

I agree on the Manzanita part for the most part -- however, I have seen some Manzanita that is great for amphibians... provided it's more on the thick branches and less on the small twiggy crap.

However, from all the research I've done, White's and Red Eyes live quite well together. Provided you ensure the Red Eye is of a full grown size... Cause otherwise the White's will dominate the foodsource. Perhaps you know something I don't know?



Cheers!

 

[froggysan]

Hope you folks don't mind... but... Bump!

 

[froggysan]

Found this really cool walkthrough on how to make a living terrarium. Mix this with some proper treatments of driftwood and viola!

http://www.blackjungle.com/terrarium.html

 

[Brad Ramsey]

Found this really cool walkthrough on how to make a living terrarium. Mix this with some proper treatments of driftwood and viola!

http://www.blackjungle.com/terrarium.html

That's awesome!
But... quite inappropriate for a chameleon.

-Brad

 

[pedro92]

I have wood i cut bark off of it looks nice and kind of what your looking for i hope heres some pics if you like any of them tell me and ill sell you some there not great pics but here they are

 

[froggysan]

That's awesome!
But... quite inappropriate for a chameleon.

-Brad

True dat. But us exotic pet lovers often have far more than just Chameleons!

 

[Will Hayward]

Apologies, I was thinking of Mopani wood, not Manzanita. Mopani is not likely to come in any shapes really useful for arboreal species.


You already answered your own question about the frogs though. In addition in my experience Whites are usually less than tolerant of other species. I've had them damage others, and like you have mentioned, hog food excessively. Even a full grown 2.5" RedEye is dwarfed by a 5" Whites in both size and appetite.

Lastly the two species are from entirely different continents, Red Eyes being primarily natural to Central America and Whites to Oceania. Contamination of the differing bacterium's could present a problem for either or both of the species if cohabitating.


Are still looking for wood? I have given some viable suggestions above, but I will add:

http://manzanita.com/ (Ships internationally)

http://canadiandriftwood.com/ (Canadian)

Another company in Ontario is "Casies Critters Driftwood" though I don't know their contact. You should be able to find it by posting on Reptiles Canada.

And wood is all around you to collect. Just treat it right and you'll be safe.