Best substrate for leopard geckos

Choosing a substrate can be one of the more confusing aspects of setting up a tank for leopard geckos, best substrate for leopard geckos. There is much debate over which substrates are safe and best for your specific age and size of a gecko. Paper towels, though not as attractive in a terrarium as some other options, are one of the most popular substrates available. For juveniles and hatchlings under a year oldpaper towels may be your best choice as a substrate.

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Best substrate for leopard geckos

Leopard gecko substrate is a controversial issue. Many sources recommend against using any kind of loose substrate sand, soil, etc. This is an example of folklore husbandry — popular myth and pseudoscience that have become a standard of practice in leopard gecko instead of science and facts. Here at ReptiFiles, we base our recommendations on scientific fact, not hearsay. Loose, naturalistic substrate can actually be the best kind of substrate for housing leopard geckos. A more detailed explanation is provided further down the page, which you can jump to here. These are the best substrates that ReptiFiles recommends for use with leopard geckos. If you are concerned about impaction, these make decent alternatives to loose substrate. These substrates are particularly dangerous to leopard geckos because they either emit VOCs volatile organic compounds that can make your gecko sick, or they pose a severe impaction risk if accidentally swallowed. Avoid these substrates at all costs and stick to the list in the previous section. Sand and other loose substrates are very controversial as a leopard gecko substrate.

However, replicating the environment of the Middle East in a terrarium is expensive and not easy. There are a variety of reptile bedding products available and some people use these with geckos.

When it comes to leopard gecko setups , one of the most asked questions is what is the best substrate for leopard gecko enclosures. This question is easily one of the most debatable questions because there are lots of variables that you need to consider. So what is the best substrate, and what do you need to consider? There are numerous things to consider. Here are some of the things to think about before selecting your substrate. There is a movement for bioactive enclosures.

Are you working on setting up the perfect habitat for a leopard gecko? One of the best places to start is by choosing a great substrate. Substrate has a large impact on the health and happiness of a Gecko. Picking the best Leopard Gecko substrate is hard for beginners. On top of the large number of options, it also requires knowledge of their habitat and lifestyle. Beginners should know that not all substrate for Leopard Geckos is good. The options can easily be narrowed down based on material, price and size. The ideal substrate is one that is safe, easy to clean, durable, cost-effective and looks nice. Keep reading for a complete guide to the worst and best substrates for leopard geckos…. Leopard Geckos are very good at climbing, but they are actually ground-dwelling lizard.

Best substrate for leopard geckos

Choosing the wrong substrate, however, can lead to illness and even death. Are you looking for the absolute best substrate for your leopard gecko? We did the research for you!

Freckles and tits

This is especially true for pet geckos who run, walk, sleep and eat on the ground. You can test surface temperatures with an infrared temperature gun to make sure it is not too hot. Your choice of substrate will depend on budget, tank size, experience, and how natural you want it to be. Last but not least, the clay-type substrate is similar to their natural habitat. No land animal regularly walks on smooth river pebbles, so it might feel unnatural and certainly look that way, too. One of the problems with Leo Life is that it can be expensive and not all shops stock this. Your email address will not be published. Plants, rocks, and hiding shelters need to be added as well. If you choose such a substrate, take the same precautions as with sand. We now know that vinyl flooring is potentially health hazardous, and this danger increases when the material is exposed to high temperatures and direct heating, such as in the case of reptile tanks. Our Picks. However it does crumble easily if not prepared correctly.

Jillian Dara is a fact checker for The Spruce Pets, reviewing articles about pet care and pet products for factual accuracy and consistency. She has more than five years of experience in lifestyle editing and media and has been published in a variety of prestigious outlets.

Wood Chips are too abrasive and loose. Sand is considered unsafe by some, due to the risk of ingestion and impaction either due to accidental ingestion or intentional ingestion to meet calcium needs. Still, they ARE safe regarding impaction and thus still universally recommended but pretty much only because of that. This means you may need to increase the output of your heat fixtures to get the liner to a good surface temperature for basking. Carpet is soft and nonabrasive. Corn Cob granules are cheap to buy in bulk but should not be used. Best Overall:. Tiles are also suitable for lizards of all sizes and ages. Measure content performance. If you choose such a substrate, take the same precautions as with sand. It also has been sifted to remove large grains and rocks that can be harmful to your pet. Johnathan David. Gravel also carries the risk of collapsing on top of a leopard gecko as it digs. It can support desert plants, and helps keep humidity low. A bioactive substrate consists of several layers of gravel for drainage , soil and clay mixtures.