plant safety in vivaria?

rnocera · #1 (**permalink**) 06-16-2009, 08:12 PM

I built a vivarium for my dad's crested gecko a couple years ago, and everything has been doing wonderful for us. It's a 15 gallon tall aquarium (same footprint as a 10) with a thick layer of lava rocks for drainage with some screen over it & soil (organic topsoil & peat sphagnum mixed, then covered with a layer of coco fiber) over the screen. Plants and the gecko are both thriving. However, within a week or two of cleaning it out & replacing the soil in the vivarium starts to smell. . . earthy. You really don't notice it unless you're right over the tank, but since it's in his business, I'd like to do something about it.

I grow herbs and was wondering if any would be safe for in the tank. Specifically I'm thinking mint, because it's so hardy & grows so fast. Other than mint, oregano may grow, but the soil may be too moist for oregano. I could even pick up some lemon balm. All three of these smell strong, and would counteract the earthy smell of the vivarium.

However, are these safe for the gecko? Is it OK for her to be near plants that smell this strong?

Thanks,
Ronnie Nocera

LdyDrgn · #2 (**permalink**) 06-16-2009, 08:30 PM

Here is a fairly decent list of what is safe. Plants

I do not see either of the ones you mentioned in the list. They may smell nice to you, but they could be toxic to the gecko.

rnocera · #3 (**permalink**) 06-18-2009, 04:21 AM

Well, I'm curious because I don't know of anything mint is toxic to. I know rodents don't like peppermint, but regular old mint, spearmint, and the other 37 kinds of mint don't bother them. Catnip is related to mint, and that's something most animals love. I honestly can't find ANYTHING that says mint is toxic to any type of animal. That's why I asked rather than consulting a simple list. Also, I've seen a MUCH more extensive list than what you linked to once before, but I can't find it anywhere. Simply saying no to anything that isn't on that list isn't exactly true since the other list of safe plants I saw was easily 4x longer.

But, thanks for the input! It's nice to have some response.

AGActaeonia · #4 (**permalink**) 06-18-2009, 04:30 AM

I'd save the mint - or any other herb for that matter - for your kitchen's window sill.

Call me old fashioned, but I excel in the display and construction of live vivaria if I do say so myself, and personally wouldn't grow anything in a habitat designed for a middle-eastern reptile that would not be common in their neck of the woods.

That is, however, just my opinion. Perhaps an inquiry posed to a vet? I'd personally not (I myself would not do such a thing, this statement is not feedback), but would like to know how it turns out either way.

rnocera · #5 (**permalink**) 06-20-2009, 04:00 AM

Well, mint is found growing wild all over the world, so there's a fair chance cresteds would come into contact with it in New Caledonia, which, btw, is not the middle east. It's just East of Australia, in the Coral Sea. Far from the middle east.

AGActaeonia · #6 (**permalink**) 06-20-2009, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnocera

Well, mint is found growing wild all over the world, so there's a fair chance cresteds would come into contact with it in New Caledonia, which, btw, is not the middle east. It's just East of Australia, in the Coral Sea. Far from the middle east.

I apologize, RN. For some reason I thought we were discussing Eublepharis macularius.

Edit: I have no idea how I came to think "Leopard" instead of Crested, lol.

rnocera · #7 (**permalink**) 06-21-2009, 05:00 AM

lol. It's all good. As I said in my first reply, I appreciate any input. That is a good thing to think about - what plants would these animals come into contact with in the wild?

AGActaeonia · #8 (**permalink**) 06-21-2009, 05:05 AM

You could Wikipedia the specific Crested locale (narrowing the region of origin as much as possible) and cross-reference that with a list of native flora in the area on Google.

That's what I'd do.

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