Coco fiber for bedding

[MegophryidaeMan]

I was wondering if I can use dried coco fiber for bedding in the leo enclosure? I know it cant be wet, but I am thinking it might be good if dried. If not, what should I use for the bedding?

 

[sushikam]

Someone asked about the same thing not too long ago (it's the eco earth stuff, which is what I assume you are talking about, as it is made of coconut fiber). Here's the link:

http://www.geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=16138&highlight=eco+earth

I wouldn't recommend it, just because it's a loose substrate, though in a humid hide it may be alright. But I've never had experience with it, and I think you would be better off with slate or repti carpet if you are going for a natural look.

 

[TokayKeeper]

from 1997 until 2000 I used it as my sole substrate. I'd place it in my leo cages (sterilite tubs) and let it dry out on it's own, at which point I'd moisten down the hide area and just outside of the hide.

I NEVER had any issues with it, ever! Later I switched to keeping my adults on paper towels and used rubbermaid food storage containers as my humid hides/lay boxes. This was usually for my adults and I kept my hatchlings on straight coconut fiber (Bed-A-Beast was the original) with a moistened hide. This kept the hatchlings from drying out and anyone that has kept or looked for wild banded geckos knows the most successful means of locating them is a day or 2 after a rainstorm when the moisture under rocks is high (i.e. hydration and prey items!).

I now keep everyone on paper towels or sand (only adults!) with moist hide boxes. ALL hatchlings and juvie geckos are kept on paper towels with a moist hide. Again the hides have moistened coconut fiber in it.

Something else that's neat. Up until 2002 I NEVER incubated leo gecko eggs on anything other than bed-a-beast (coconut fiber). In 1997 I received 89 eggs from 5 females and had 89 hatch (1 died in egg while hatching though) and all were incubated on bed-a-beast. In 2002 I used a hovabator and vermiculite and though I had 200+ hatchlings that year I also lost many eggs; mostly infertile ones though. Prior to the hovabator I used a 10 gallon tank with a submersible water heater as my incubator.

I also had a 100% hatch rate with fat-tail geckos and crested geckos by using bed-a-beast.

Different brands of coconut fiber:
Bed-A-Beast (original marked reptile coconut fiber)
coconut coir (unwrapped bricks available at nurseries and garden centers)
T-Rex Forest Bed
Zoo-Med Eco Earth
and probably a few others I'm missing.

I strictly use bed-a-beast if I can find it. If I can't I've used Forest Bed, but find it to not expand like bed-a-beast does at times. Also, be careful of NON-COCONUT FIBER objects that miss quality control in ANY of the manufacturers of coconut fiber.

 

[MegophryidaeMan]

Ok, I'll do something different Thanks everyone!

 

[ReptileMan27]

I wouldnt reccomend it for leos, stay away from any loose substrates.