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I can't decide what to use as a substrate. I want a more natural look so I don't know if paper towels are right for me, but I've heard people using calci sand or peat moss. Any suggestions out there?

Thanks, Roman

>>I can't decide what to use as a substrate. I want a more natural look so I don't know if paper towels are right for me, but I've heard people using calci sand or peat moss. Any suggestions out there?
>>
>>Thanks, Roman

I know that most people would disagree with me, but I like orchid bark. It is very natural looking and holds moisture very well. I have kept my Cresteds & Gargoyls on it for years with never a problem. Paper towels are for the kitchen, not reptile cages. I am not against paper towels, they are very save to use, but I don't like the look. I like my cages to look very natural.
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Take Care
David
My Email
Rhac's Rule

You can use bed-a-beast but be careful I would not use with hatchlings or young juveniles. If you want a real premium blend substrate check out the link. I use the temperate mix. Email them with what you are interested in. They keep all there cresteds on it, even hatchlings.

substrates

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Bill DiFabio
Azteclizard.com
Email Me

I am not a fan of loose substrate. All that stuff that says easily digested is bogus (that’s advertising for you). It can be passed no problem in small amounts, but if enough is eaten it can cause blockage (your chances are small but its still there). If you must have a loose substrate use something large that cannot fit in the animals mouth. I also suggest using bowls to prevent accidental ingestion as much as you can. The alternative to use is paper towels, sure its not pretty, but it works an you can’t get anymore safer. If you want to spruce it up a bit you can throw some dead leaves in and hide the paper towels. Not to mention the geckos will love sleeping under it. For hatchlings I recommend no substrate at all. This way there is nothing for them to accidentally ingest and nothing for crix to hide under. A simple setup of a few branches and a piece of a silk plant I find work the best (pretty much the same setup I use for my adults). Good Luck
-Mike

I Agree with Gecko_King, I have been using orchid bark and it works great. I do not feed my animals crickets so there is no worries about ingesting the bark. I feed them babyfood and crested gecko diet. Occasionaly i bowl feed them waxworms. I do rinse and strain the bark chips when i get them to cut down on dust . The bark is very natural looking and you can get a pretty large bag for under 5 bucks at home depot. However i do not recommend using orchid bark if you plan on breeding the geckos. I have noticed that it is very hard to know when and where they have laid the eggs. For gravid females i use paper towels with a nesting box with peat.

Thanks for all the tips. I don't plan on breeding for quite some time so I may go with your advice. I still haven't purchased my cresties yet and I'm uncertain of the best place to get them. I've found some places online but I'm weary to buy from them plus the huge shipping fee. However the petstores in my town(Evansville, IN) are lacking in a large variety of geckos. Most just have leopards and I don't really want leopards.

Thanks, Roman

I know it might be a drive, but there is a reptile show every month in Indianapolis. My dad's family lives in New Harmony (not far from Evansville), but I can't remember how far it is to Indianapolis. It looks like the big breeder show is in August, if you can wait that long. I like to personally see any animal I purchase so I know what you mean. You can look for other shows that might be closer too. Click on Events below kingsnake.com above.

Good luck!

I attended the show in Indy over the weekend. But I wasn't able to pick one up because we went the show first and we had a full day planned afterwards so I didn't want it sitting in the car. Yes New Harmony is only about 30 mins to the west of Evansville, I grew up near New Harmony. I plan on going back next month if I can get the time off. I'm been trying to get the pet stores here to carry them but so far none have gotten any. I've got three tanks I can use but no cresties. I am also thinking of custom building a cage. I have a lot of wood in my garage that my father left behind.

Roman