Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Heres my question:

I've seen a lot of discussion about sand being a bad substrate and paper towels or ceramic tiles being bbetter. Here's another one for everyone to maybe consider and I would like to know everyone's thoughts. Has everyone seen those fiber carpets which actually grows realy greass for reptiles? Does anyone think that will work?

I currently use paper towel because I got my gecko yesterday and bought sand, but then read lots of negitive things about sand even though it says it's digestable. I then immediately changed it to paper towels pending when I get ceramic tiles.

Briggzer
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Thanks, J

Well, in my opinion that wouldn't be very good for their feet. If you do a bit more research about sand you'll also see that it isn't good for the leos to walk on because they sink. I'm thinking that will be the case with the real grass, along with the fact that it will hold too much humidity.

Just my thought.
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Jeff, "The Gecko Guy"

I also was discussing sand with our local pet shop, and they said that the calcium carbonate sand with just pure calcium that is tumbled down to sand form and being tumbled it's rounded as to not damage the insides of the geckos (no sharp edges). They said that people who are talking about not using sand usually are talking about like sandbox sand. Is there any truth to this? I can understand the first part, but is that what sand people are usually talking about? stuff that you can find outside?
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Thanks, Briggzer

i use substrate which is crushed up walnut shells. it is digestable and it clumps in poo. ive found it to work pretty well. if your going for a natural looking habitat it looks really good.

Actually, walnut shell is not digestable, and it has very sharp edges. It's primarily used to clean the tarnish off brass shell casings in a tumbler. If it is sharp enouigh to clean brass, it sure is to sharp to go through a gecko safely. You've been lucky.

Leslie

sand is not a "bad" substrate, as long as all other aspects of husbandry are followed. I use 1/8" regular playsand in my gecko cages. I have had leos for over 9 years and have NEVER had an impaction problem. If you are going to use sand follow some basic rules: a little goes a long way...don't pile up sand in the enclosure, keep a full dish of calcium at all times, only use sand for sub-adult or older geckos (I wait until they are at least 6-7 months old), keep fresh water available at all times, keep a humid hide, keep an eye on the feces...look for large amounts of sand passing. If you see changes in eating (they stop eating), they have an unusual mass in the abdomen, they have large amounts of sand in the feces; remove the sand and replace it with paper towel or tile.

Sand is just not recommeneded. its totally up to you, i had sand for 3 years and switched to tile cuz its inexpensive and easy to clean. Mind you this is back in the day before the sand debate and other substrates becoming avaiable.

Also note your level of experience if you're new to lizards sand tends to be difficult to maintain warm temps, clean etc. Sand is much more natural looking and man leos LOVE to dig.

I guess my comment doesn't help much but i just want to say its up to the owner, as long as you know what you're doing most substrates are fine and no one should condem you for your choice
good luck

I only ask the questions because of the debate. This is not my first lizard, just my first leopards. I used to have seifts and anoles. I also currently own three redtail boas. I just can't really believe that there's that much manufactured sand and it turns out that it's bad for geckos even when it says right on it for reptiles, etc..
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Thanks, Briggzer

well unless there are studies shown (scientific studies that is, not from the company itself) i won't believe it 100%

I'm unfamiliar with product standards for pets, toys and such for humans has to all be tested but animals may not be

well yeah i hate to worry about it. im not saying it will work for you, but i have calci-sand and i use a vitamin powder regularly so my leo hardly ever eats sand. then again that might just be my leo so im not saying dont worry and yes i think thats the worst thing about leos.

i used to have my gecko on that redwood bark stuff, but it wasn't great. i'd like to do tile or something like that, but my gecko loved to dig. has anyone ever tried that turtle food/rabbit food green pellet stuff as a substrate? i think it would be too big for the gecko to eat but of a reasonable size to dig in a little. i know people will say, it's plenty big for a gecko to accidentally eat, but i saw my gecko grab a piece of bark with a cricket on more than one occasion and work the bark out of her mouth while keeping the cricket.
i'm really interested in anyones thoughts on this. thanks

eric

The main problem with the alfalfa pellets for rabbits, etc, is that it decomposes and molds if it gets damp, and it tends to attract bugs. It also is very hard for the leos to walk on, because it can roll.

Leslie

NM means No Message

Shortly after I started to keep lizards, I read an article about the calcium sand that turned me off of it completely. The person who wrote the article decided to test all the different calcium sands marketed for lizards to see just how digestible they were. None of them dissolved well, even when mixed with straight HYDROCLORIC ACID!! Most of the calci sands are also very coarse grained, so would be harder to pass, and many of them, if you look at them under magnification, are very sharp and pointy. Not for me!

In my rack system in use: Nothing! Works well. The leos just walk around on the plastic bottom of the sterlites, and don't seem to have a problem walking or hunting.

In my display cages right now: fabric. From a fabric store. It's fairly thin but ads some color without having toes get stuck in it like felt or astroturf. And to clean it, I just replace it (the stuff is only like $1 per yard).

I think I might switch to tile for some of the cage that I really want to spice up. Maybe another day...
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Brian Skibinski
Milwaukee Reptiles
Brian@MilwaukeeReptiles.com

So heres another question, this time abour tiles. With an undertank heater would you want to put it under the tiles in between them and the glass? or would you still put it under the tank completely?
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Thanks, Briggzer