There’s no denying that bearded dragons are fascinating as pets. However, they do require a lot of attention and care. For example, one of the crucial aspects is choosing the right type of wood for their habitat.
Non-toxic woods, such as oak, apple, cholla, cherry, poplar, and birch, are safe for bearded dragons. On the other hand, toxic woods, such as cedar, redwood, and pine, are not safe for bearded dragons. So, make sure to avoid them.
However, that is just a short snippet on what wood is safe for breaded dragons. If you want to know more about the topic and discover more, you should keep on reading.
Why Is Wood Important for Bearded Dragons?
Wood is an essential component of the habitat of bearded dragons. It serves multiple purposes and plays a critical role in maintaining health and well-being. Let’s go through each of the factors to understand more:
Offers a Natural and Comfortable Surface
Most bearded dragon keepers will use wood as a substrate. It can create a comfortable and natural surface for these reptiles. They find it easier to walk, climb, and explore on top of the wood, as it is often found in their native habitats.
Maintains Proper Humidity Levels
Wood pieces inside the enclosure can help to keep the humidity level in check. And in case you didn’t know, high humidity can hugely deteriorate the health of bearded dragons.
That’s why you need to monitor the temperature and humidity constantly, even at night. Moreover, keeping them in an environment with a relative moisture percentage similar to the natural habitat is important. And wood can help in this regard.
Helps the Reptiles to Engage in Natural Activities
You can use wood to create various structures inside their enclosure. That will enable the bearded dragons to engage in natural behaviors such as hiding and basking.
Safe Wood for Bearded Dragons
So, all the non-toxic types of wood are safe for bearded dragons. Among them, the one that most bearded dragon keepers rely on is oak wood. It is easily available and is totally harmless for these reptiles.
Other than that, you can use cholla wood. It is a type of desert cactus wood that is non-toxic and harmless for bearded dragons. You can also use apple, cherry, birch, and poplar wood if you want to. They are harmless and totally safe.
Wood to Avoid
No matter what, you should not use toxic wood for the enclosure of the bearded dragons. Among them are conifer or evergreen wood such as cedar, pine, and Douglas fir.
Furthermore, you should also avoid using eucalyptus and wood with thorns. Likewise, you must not use wood that has undergone chemical treatment for the enclosure of the bearded dragons.
Remember, toxic wood has a strong scent to them. So, if you are unsure whether the wood you plan to use is harmless, give it a good smell. Even if the wood has been treated, you will be able to tell them apart from their scent.
How to Recognize Woods That Are Toxic for Bearded Dragons?
So, the scent of the wood is generally the biggest giveaway of whether it is safe for bearded dragons. Typically, toxic woods have a strong smell, indicating toxicity. For example, redwood and cedar woods have a distinct scent to them.
But other than the smell, you can rely on the color of the wood. Most of the toxic woods will be shades of brown. Some will be grayish-brown, while some can be reddish-brown in color.
You can also determine the type of wood by considering the texture. For example, while cedar and redwood are soft, sometimes, they are coarse and too brittle. That coarse and brittle nature of the wood can tell you that the wood is toxic in nature.
Is Plywood Safe for Bearded Dragons?
Plywood is not the ideal building material for structures or substrates for a bearded dragon’s habitat. The reason behind that is most of the plywood has adhesives and chemical treatment.
As you know by now, you should avoid chemically-treated wood because it harms bearded dragons. These chemicals can leach into the substrate and surrounding environment, potentially making skin irritations and other health issues come up.
Besides that, most of the plywood is from softwood trees, including spruce or pine. Again, pine is one of the woods you should avoid for bearded dragons. It contains aromatic hydrocarbons, which are toxic to reptiles.
For that reason, it is best to avoid plywood for bearded dragons. Instead, opt for natural and non-toxic woods such as oak, cholla, and others mentioned earlier. They are safe for these reptiles and will be more durable than plywood.
What Will Happen When You Use Toxic Woods?
There will be serious negative consequences on bearded dragons’ health if exposed to toxic wood. You need to understand that harmful woods contain certain types of chemicals and oils.
These substances often get released into the air, which can lead to respiratory issues in bearded dragons. The chemicals and oils can also make their way into the substrates, initiating skin and other health issues.
Furthermore, reptiles exposed to toxic wood may experience loss of appetite, lethargy, and even seizures. In some cases, exposure to toxic wood can be highly fatal.
So, no matter what you do, you should not keep toxic wood in the enclosure of the bearded dragons. Instead, do proper research on the wood and then keep the wood inside the habitat. Consult with an expert if you have to.
Conclusion
Are you still wondering what wood is safe for bearded dragons? To recapitulate, you can opt for any non-toxic type of wood for bearded dragons. That includes oak, apple, cholla, cherry, poplar, and birch.
That said, you should not use plywood even if it does not have any chemical treatments on the surface. Even if plywood is highly accessible, it could be from toxic trees. So, avoid it.
