Vermiculite, eating vermiculite, Not Eating, Possible lack of calcium/mineral problem

Since my changeover in the lay boxes from sphagnum to vermiculite I have had my learning inspection goggles on.
Adequate time has passed for me to observe and learn that
female gecko's like to eat vermiculite. Checking of their stool assures me of that. Previous observations while bedded in sphagnum allowed me to gecko watch ( as I am a retired, hobbist type gecko owner with plenty of time) the consumption of the calcium/minerl mix in bowls that I provide for them.
Since the eating of vermiculite has occured, a certain decline of not only lowering the calcium bowl but eating
their regular food choices has happened. I do not feel at this point the vermiculite consumption has caused harm
(although at this time no company or veterinarian rep. has confirmed this) except in the reduction of the good health necessary items mentioned. I have switched back to sphagnum after two months of observation consistent in all
lay boxes containing vermiculite...............
Believe it .......or do your own observations. I feel it could
be detrimental to good calcium intake.
Gecko males CONAN, BRITEWHITE, SNOWDAY and of course I certainly want to keep our females "lookin good" ...........
take care. "GeckoGathering" .........(gathers humans)

The description for vermiculite is volcanic mineral as is perlite.

I also had geckos on vermiculite "pooping" bricks. I now use eco-earth (coconut fibers, I think) which works very well as a lay box and a humid hide all year round. No sign of eco earth in the feces. No observable change in calcium or food intake.

Aliza

Info Appreciation

Thanks Aliza...........I appreciate your input on the other bedding material.......
and the vermiculite bricks.

When we used top use vermiculite it used to get everywhere and theyd eat some of it. Now we use eco-earth too. Its cheap, comes in 2 for 1 three packs, and they never eat it, and our geckos love it. Bed a beast is pretty much the same thing except sometimes you find pretty big twigs in there...As if they just scooped some dirt out of the ground and compacted it.

Appreciation

Hi Matthew. I appreciate it. Take care.

Gecko gathering Why are you lying about your age? Your really 80! As for the vermiculite you know what I always say. "if it aint broke dont fix it". Stick with the moss.

(attaching the ball and chain tomorrow)

duct tape

Yes Jimmy, thanks for your concern for old people. If the guy with my bag of moss gets it back to me, I will complete my change back from vermiculite to sphagnum. Or he can just keep it for a wedding gift. Take care.

Hi HJ,

I did a lot of reading on vermiculite when we got our first pair of leos several years back because you can buy a huge bag of it for 20 bucks at Depot De Casa (thats my Spanish phrase of the day).

Although it's classified as a volcanic mineral it's not completely as such. It's actually partially man made and is toxic if ingested. Volcanic ash contains a lot of other things I wouldn't ingest either; like coal, phosphurus, and lead. Well, maybe charcoal if I had gas.. LOL

A few articles I read and the bag I just purchased recently state that you should wear a mask when using it in your garden. The fumes alone can be toxic.

We use it only for our incubation medium because of how well it holds moisture and temperature plus we've had better luck with it than perlite.

Our moist hide/egg laying medium is Coir/cocoa fiber/bed-a-beast/eco-earth. It's 100% natural, can pass through the bowels without obstruction, doesn't mold quickly, holds moisture well, and is dirt cheap. You can buy a brick of it for 5$ and it makes gallons and gallons of it.. we end up freezing what we don't use so we can thaw and use it anytime.

good luck and Terre Haute is a nice area, been through there twice for work..

I believe comedian Jim Gaffigan is from that area..

VERMICULITE

Hey Michael. Thanks for all the info. My appreciation. Take care.

Geckos lick everything, and vermiculite is no exception. I have seen plenty of 'gold nugget' poops, for sure. Sphagnum peat moss (without any fertilizer!) works great in lay boxes!