Sand or paper

• Jan 20, 2015

• #1

R

Ravana's_Reptiles

New Member

Messages

27

Location

Currington

Hi, I'm a newbie leo-gecko owner my new family member isnt here yet but i need to know whats better substrate ive heard both sides of the argument of sand vs paper towles/newspaper i keep my snake on wood chips but its a cornsnake and leos are desert animals so that may not be a good substrate i want to here/read some stries of people who have had experiences with one or the other or both thanks for all of your help
There a pole with this vote for which ever you like it wont decide what i use

 

• Jan 20, 2015

• #2

cowana

New Member

Messages

593

Location

Dayton, Ohio

I am 100% against the use of sand or any loose substrate and this is post I did under housing is the reason.

Warning! There are some graphic images at the bottom of the post but it illustrates the damage sand and loose substrates do perfectly.

http://www.geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=103084

Amy

 

• Jan 20, 2015

• #3

Neon Aurora

New Member

Messages

1,376

Location

New Mexico

Even though leos are desert dwellers, they do not naturally live on sand. They live on hard-packed clay and rock, with little sand in their environment. In my opinion, sand is simply not worth the risk of impaction. People argue that they want their tank to look natural. Well, sand isn't natural for leos. Slate, flagstone, or ceramic tile would be a better choice and actually be closer to where they naturally live.

 

• Jan 20, 2015

• #4

J

JennyBeen

New Member

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87

Location

Denver, CO

If you like a more natural look, I'm a fan of the rubber exo-terra mats...I write about them on here all the time, it seems! But they have a natural look and feel, but no loose substrate to be accidentally ingested. I like the rougher, grainy texture to help the geckos with shedding, and with hot water and a mild cleaner, they wash very well (though I do interchange paper towels or reptile carpet since it takes a long while to dry). Good luck on your research!

 

• Jan 20, 2015

• #5

R

Ravana's_Reptiles

New Member

Messages

27

Location

Currington

thanks for your advice and im sorry about your friends gecko looks like papers my best bet thank you so much i have terrible luck so that might have been my experience with sand so thanks

 

• Jan 20, 2015

• #6

cowana

New Member

Messages

593

Location

Dayton, Ohio

I am glad that you have chosen to go with paper. This gecko's fate is terrible and what it went through breaks my heart, but I am glad his legacy can be too teach people about the dangers of using sand as a substrate. At least he didn't die completely in vain. [emoji53]