Cactus question

[Jadie.Glitch]

Does anyone have a cactus planted tank? I'm wanting to do a DIY Styrofoam backdrop with caves, etc, and I wanted to also plant the tank with cacti like these:

Do the geckos have any issues with cacti like this? Do they hurt themselves on the spines, or do they generally respect the spines and stay away from them? I'm mostly nervous that a cricket is going to be camped out on one and my gecko is going to go in for an attack and get a spine to the lips or eyes... :main_thumbsdown:

Will this happen, or am I being paranoid? They're desert dwellers so I figure they're smart enough, equipped enough to not get damaged by cacti, but I'm not sure...

 

[im faster]

I have no experience.. while it would look really cool.. i dont think i would do it

 

[Franklinj480]

from "The Herpetoculture of Leopard Geckos" (Philippe de Vosjoli and Ron Tremper)

"As a rule plants with spines should be avoided, notably cacti"

 

[drblack2013]

You can plant spineless succulents, but you have to monitor the humidity.

 

[Jadie.Glitch]

Ah, okay, I'll look up some pretty desert plants that don't have spines then. I'm glad I asked . I think I'm going to put in some dried desert grass, just for the effect too. I love the DIY thread on here! I'm doing so many drawings and mock-ups, getting ready to make a nice cage build for our gecko. It's exciting!

Thanks all!

 

[Thorgecko707]

Don't forget that most geckos haven't been around cacti in 20 years. Nothing but a tank is considered natural environment anymore.

 

[Franklinj480]

Dried grass Idea is awesome, I want to do that and put some climbing aloe in my viv : ]

I finished my first ever project and I'm already going back to the drawing board to plan my second. I don't know what I'll do with the plans though, don't want to stress out my baby by changing her home every month haha : P. Maybe I just need a second leo to build a new home for...

 

[Jadie.Glitch]

Maybe I just need a second leo to build a new home for...

Yes, definitely! I was thinking the same thing for us .

 

[houseb]

Just remember that most desert plants need lots of sun to survive, so you'll have to find a bulb that is bright enough for your plants, but not so bright that it stresses your gecko. Would love to see how your viv turns out. Good luck and happy crafting!

 

[AMoriarty]

Jade plants have been recommended as being good for a desert environment but not needing a ton of light.