The pet stores tell me different things; I understand the new liners are also supposed to be good, but what's best? The crickets don't live as long in the sand as they do in the bark (so I'd rather use the bark, but not if it's not good for the gecko). Also, anyone have any idea how long they live? I've had this one for 14 years now.
2007-10-26 09:09:00 · 14 answers · asked by Jodie G 5 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
We do not recommend any kind of loose substrate for geckos. Sand, especially Calci-sand, is the worst product on the market. It dehydrates the animal and causes intestinal impaction. We see this often and it can be fatal. Bark holds too much humidity. Use reptile carpet, non-adhesive shelf liner, or papertowels. Keeping a gecko in a 15 or 20 gallon tank is NOT natural, so neither is forcing them to live 24/7 on sand. Sand also holds bacteria and parasites. Yes, some geckos live a long life on sand, but the majority do not. Check out the section on leopard geckos and read about and see pictures of geckos who have died from impactions.
http://www.reptilerooms.com/
2007-10-26 14:10:47 · answer #1 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I have three geckos.. When I bought them the pet store had them on sand, but I knew it wasn't the best for them and I used the reptile carpet stuff and seemed as if they got really depressed and stopped eating. Once I put the sand back in they were fine like the day I bought them..They are older. No way would I put a baby on anything but a carpet or paper.
I wouldn't use the bark stuff because its bigger and more chances of getting an impaction from it if accidental swallowed.
Sand can cause it too. Best bet is to buy some reptile carpet maybe have a dish of Bed a Beast in a bowl or corner or something that keeps humidity for shedding.
Lifespan is around 17 to 20 years I think.
From above I wouldnt use that walnut stuff for sure..Because it has jagged edges and if swallowed can cut intestines. Bad stuff. Sand would be a way better option then crushed walnut shells.
2007-10-26 09:17:14 · answer #2 · answered by pixieturtle23 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a leopard gecko for 5 years and they're really easy to take care of. They develop personalities after awhile.
2016-03-13 11:09:52 · answer #3 · answered by Jean 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Newspaper doesn't cause impaction at all. The only problem is some find it unattractive. Sand won't work either. I hate using bark, the risk of impaction is still there plus the crickets always hide in it. Every time I'd clean my lizard's cage 5 crickets would jump out at me.
2007-10-26 12:41:39 · answer #4 · answered by saywha! 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Leopards generally live for around 16 years, but some have been known to live as long as 20 years. As far as sand vs. bark. I would go with the sand. Calci-sand to be exact. It's around 8 bucks a bag but there's no worries if the gecko consumes a bit of it. The bark in my opinion has a serious chance of impaction with the gecko, and despite what people say I have beardies and geckos in calci-sand since they were babies and they all do amazingly fine. Not one injury or case of impaction yet.
2007-10-26 09:18:35 · answer #5 · answered by Twzted Love Photography 3 · 2⤊ 3⤋
they live somewhere around 14 years old....good job on raising him this far.
Your actually not suppose to use sand OR bark. Both can irritate his eyes and lead to impaction. I would recommend tile, paper towels, or reptic carpet. Those are pretty much the only safe substrates.
Go to repticzone.com
They are great at answering any reptile related questions.
2007-10-27 13:58:46 · answer #6 · answered by ashley_bruce13 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Repti Carpet is a good subtrate. I tried using sand at first but I knew they were ingesting it when they ate. Sand can cause an impaction. I know there are several subtrates out there now so I would suggest doing some research... Good Luck
2007-10-27 13:34:43 · answer #7 · answered by Terry R 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
A little sand won't hurt them. Leopard gecko's natural live where theres lots of sand. You want to give them a climate that is very close to what they had lived in before.
2007-10-26 13:12:18 · answer #8 · answered by pierced_chick123 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I can just imagine you barking in the bottom of your aquarium!!
Seriously, if you want to try newspaper but don't like the look of it, ask your butcher or fish shop for some blank paper.
2007-10-26 12:59:22 · answer #9 · answered by thom t 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i wouldn't use any type of loose substrate i used to use reptile carpet but she was getting her nails stuck on the carpet so i switched over to a beige non adhesive shelf liner its cheap and makes things a lot easier to clean up
2007-10-26 09:32:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋