kingsnake.com - reptile and amphibian classifieds, breeders, forums, photos, videos and more

return to main index

  mobile - desktop
follow us on facebook follow us on twitter follow us on YouTube link to us on LinkedIn
International Reptile Conservation Foundation  
click here for Rodent Pro
Mice, Rats, Rabbits, Chicks, Quail
Available Now at RodentPro.com!
Locate a business by name: click to list your business
search the classifieds. buy an account
events by zip code list an event
Search the forums             Search in:
News & Events: Herp Photo of the Day: Rat Snake . . . . . . . . . .  Herp Photo of the Day: Rainbow Boa . . . . . . . . . .  Southwestern Herp Society Meeting - Feb 01, 2025 . . . . . . . . . .  Greater Cincinnati Herp Society Meeting - Feb 05, 2025 . . . . . . . . . .  Calusa Herp Society Meeting - Feb 06, 2025 . . . . . . . . . .  St. Louis Herpetological Society - Feb 09, 2025 . . . . . . . . . .  Kentucky Reptile Expo - Feb. 15, 2025 . . . . . . . . . .  Colorado Herp Society Meeting - Feb 15, 2025 . . . . . . . . . .  Chicago Herpetological Society Meeting - Feb 16, 2025 . . . . . . . . . .  San Diego Herp Society Meeting - Feb 18, 2025 . . . . . . . . . .  Suncoast Herp Society Meeting - Feb 22, 2025 . . . . . . . . . .  DFW Herp Society Meeting - Feb 22, 2025 . . . . . . . . . . 

Re: is this flower safe?


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Anole Forum ]

Posted by ALanolis on April 20, 2003 at 12:24:10:

In Reply to: is this flower safe? posted by anoleboy11 on April 19, 2003 at 22:17:51:

Poinsettia: any of several spurges (genus Euphorbia) with flower clusters subtended by showy involucral bracts; especially : a showy Mexican and Central American plant (E. pulcherrima) with tapering usually scarlet bracts that suggest petals and surround small yellow flowers.

They are indeed known by most herpers as "harmful" plants, though every botanical literature I've read said they were completely harmless. But if they were, why do so many house pets go to their vets at alarming rates during the holidays on account of eating these plants?? But Anoles are insectivores, meaning a lot of deadly plants aren't so deadly when used in a naturalistic enclosure. But...

An interesting fact: Many plants in this family ooze a milky sap. I'm not a poinsettia expert, but if the ones you wish to use do this, I'd say avoid them to be safe. If the sap ever mixed with the water droplets you provide for drinking water, it could theoretically be harmful.

Reasons for being harmful
Euphorbia spp. (EUPHORBIA, MILK BUSH, POINSETTIA, SNOW-ON-THE-MOUNTAIN, SPURGES); latex; gastrointestinal tract affected by the toxin euphorbin; may contain toxic levels of nitrates; plant also causes dermatitis.

~ALanolis




Follow Ups:




[ Follow Ups ] [ The Anole Forum ]