Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm new to the gecko world and you guys seem to offer some awesome advice, so I'd like to throw out the topic of substrate. The word "impaction" seems to appear everywhere when this issue is raised.

I have a baby leo in a Breeder's Choice (I think it's called), kind of a mulchy, bark, dirt substrate. It seems okay, except that it gets stuck to his mouth when he's catching crickets and I've seen him eat some of it too during feeding.

I know they sell fancy sand for lizards and something called Lizard Litter. This all looks very fine, however, and easy for them to eat. I know newspaper or paper towel is also suggested, but I hate the look of this. Any suggestions? Or is what I've got him in now okay? He seems happy enough, but, as his mom, naturally I'm worried.

Thanks in advance!

Beth

Floor tile if you don't like newspaper or papertowels. It is a little more than sand, but tile lasts longer and they can't eat it.

>>I'm new to the gecko world and you guys seem to offer some awesome advice, so I'd like to throw out the topic of substrate. The word "impaction" seems to appear everywhere when this issue is raised.
>>
>>I have a baby leo in a Breeder's Choice (I think it's called), kind of a mulchy, bark, dirt substrate. It seems okay, except that it gets stuck to his mouth when he's catching crickets and I've seen him eat some of it too during feeding.
>>
>>I know they sell fancy sand for lizards and something called Lizard Litter. This all looks very fine, however, and easy for them to eat. I know newspaper or paper towel is also suggested, but I hate the look of this. Any suggestions? Or is what I've got him in now okay? He seems happy enough, but, as his mom, naturally I'm worried.
>>
>>Thanks in advance!
>>
>>Beth

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Tim W. My Pictures
0.1.0 Dumeril Boas
0.1.0 Kittens
0.0.1 Leopard Geckos

It rubs the lotion on it's skin.
Bleach, good to clean tanks. Ammonia, good to clean tanks. Bleach mixed with Ammonia, good to make ammonium chloride gas to kill you while your cleaning tanks.

There are a few suitable substrates...a lot depends on your personal tastes and how you plan to heat the enclosure. I use tile/sand in the cages pictures. I also use just play sand in another set of cages like the one pictured. I have had leos for about 10 years and no impaction problems to date. You do have to be vigilant if you are going to use a particulate for a substrate. I stay away from repti carpet (pain to clean and is just plain ugly!), all of the "vita sand"s (over priced sand) and any type of crished shells or pebbles. I use paper towels in my rack. not attractive but works ok.

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