Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, dont wanna get flamed here for thinking into this too much... but here goes...

What kinda leaves should I use for my leaf litter?

Obviously they are going to be wild collected (from the woods directly behind my home), but Im wondering if theres any kind in particular that I should look for, avoid, etc.

I know some trees can be toxic, in both their leaves and bark, especially if its in a moist environment.

Also, how should I prepare them for use? Need to be washed? Leave em out in the sun a few days to dry?

Lastly (and I know this is a very vague question), how many leaves you think Im gonna be looking to fill a 2x2x4 stock tub 1' deep? Im gonna do approx 1- 1.5' dirt and 1' leaf litter- its not optimal, but its convenient, for now at least. "Alot" isnt all that helpful- "4-5 garbage bags" is FAR more helpful.

Thanks in advance.

I go out of my way to find oak leafs, I like everything about them.

This time of year you collect them at the bottom of crevice where they gather and decompose, this is good stuff for start, then all you need is to ad fresh leaves on top every fall.

No need to treat them in anyway, if they come from a clean forest.

I treat all my leaf litter.
When I dump it in the cage, I also throw in a few hand fulls of rollie pollie and earthworms.
It took me 10 large garbage bags to do my rudi cage.
Since the compacting and rotting, I have added 4 more bags.

Scott
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Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

Hello Kap,
How long has your rudi cage been up and going? I am curious because I wanted to know if your earthworms have prospered in the cage... I feed off the Canadian nightcrawlers that you can get at the bait store to my turtles periodically but they won't stand high temps for very long. I know that the leaves are a suitable food source but have you seen many worms in the litter at later dates from the introduction? I'm willing to try them, Just curious, best to you- Mike

I believe they are thriving in the litter.
More than once I have seen the litter moving and see one of the rudis come up munching on a worm.
When they are both under the litter, it wooks like waves.

Scott
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Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

Some of my monitors really seem to enjoy deep leaf litter, its like a monitor play ground, they like to sleep in it and forage. Its like a favourite borrow only it’s the entire cage.
Have you guys ever kept sand fish (skink) they spend most of there time foraging under sand, dumeril and Doreanus do the same in leaf litter, cool but you don’t get to see them often, feeding time is when you keep the camera at hand.

I have five lined and broad head skinks in my cage.
They drive the rudis crazy, too fast to catch. hahaha
The anoles are easier to catch but watching them try to chase a skink is down right hilarious.
They do make sure if any crikets hatch, they don't last long.

Scott
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Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

Hello Kap & Jobi,
I have a similar deep leafy setup with dumerils living and loving it... I have different morsels living in with them(mostly food that got away) and I am going to try the earthworms- well, off to the woods...- Best to you- Mike