Alternative substrate to towels and tiles

[Sunset]

Hey everyone. I posted about two weeks ago about the leopard gecko i rescued who walks on her elbows because of a case of mbd/possible birth defect. I wanted to know if their was any other alternative substrate to tiles and paper towels? Tiles would be too hard on her because she walks on her elbows (though she is getting better with proper calcium, she walks more on her ankles now than her elbows) and I wanted to get something other than paper towels. I know theirs reptile carpet but I heard it was hard to heat. Any other substrate suggestions?

 

[sausage]

i have seen people using fabric mats. like place mats for a table. anythings fine rele aslong as its washable with no loose fibers that can be eaten.
poor baby well donr for the hard work

 

[ajveachster]

You might also want to check out an article Gregg Madden did for Gecko Time on bio-active substrates. I don't know if it would work in your case. I'm thinking the softness might be good for her elbows, but then again the loose substrate may make it harder for her to keep balance. At least it is an option for you to look into.

 

[Blacksupra94]

You could buy a bunch of excavator and cover the floor with that. Eco earth would work fine as well. My leo has eaten some eco earth but passed it easily multiple times

 

[KamiKamel]

I've seen some people use linoleum tiles. I don't know if you just meant that you don't want to use ceramic/slate/porcelain tiles or if you mean NO tiles. But the linoleum is slicker, so not a rough surface. Hmm?

 

[Joao]

See if you like the shelf liner stuff. They sell it almost everywhere now including 99 cent stores.

 

[KamiKamel]

I like Joao's suggestion alot. That rubbery stuff with the holes in it would give the leo traction she needs and would still be soft. Just put a paper towel down in the corner that she poops in.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Shelf liner over a comfy placemat would be an easy to clean surface with cushion. Any kind of loose substrates (even in the moist hide) for a gecko of compromised health could cause complications down the road.

 

[LeopardGeckoNinja]

Personaly, I would think that eco earth would be a good option. If it isn't damp, it has the same humid properties as sand. But the impaction chance is much lower. It would also provide padding and support for your poor little gecko.

 

[Sunset]

Thanks for all the responses everyone! I completely forgot about shelf liner, I think I'm going to try that, and if that doesnt work possibly the eco-earth though I want to stay away from any loose like substrate.

Would the shelf liner be hard to heat you think?

 

[LeopardGeckoNinja]

Thanks for all the responses everyone! I completely forgot about shelf liner, I think I'm going to try that, and if that doesnt work possibly the eco-earth though I want to stay away from any loose like substrate.

Would the shelf liner be hard to heat you think?

Due to the holes and it's thickness it wouldn't bee that hard to heat, as long as the uth was pretty close to it's suface. Or under a material, under the shelf liner.