Digging Fun

[Daedric1]

The last few days one of my females, Pixel who weighs about 30g has been digging up a storm in her tank. I think she may be about to lay her first clutch of duds (since she hasn't been with a male). I've heard they do this sometimes if humidity is low, but it's always around 70% by the time she wakes up.

Anyway, it was pretty interesting and funny to watch, so I decided to take some pictures and share!

Diving in:

Really getting into it:

On the way out (and cleaning up):

A dirt hat:

Done (for now):

 

[BalloonzForU]

Now those are some cute pics!!

 

[IslaReina]

Awww how adorable! <3 I don't know anything about cresties, are they handleable/friendly??

 

[Daedric1]

Now those are some cute pics!!

Thanks! Pixel is probably my favorite gecko. She has a really charming personality.

Awww how adorable! <3 I don't know anything about cresties, are they handleable/friendly??

Yeah, they are really amazing. I was quite surprised to find that most of them (mine anyway) are actually calmer and easier to handle than leos.

 

[gixxer3420]

Neat pics.

 

[tlbowling]

Those are some VERY cute pix! I love her! I love the one where she is peeking up after all her digging (on the way out) Super cute Nice enclosure too...can you take some full pix of her terrarium and post those too? .......please

 

[prettyinpink]

I was just thinking the same thing, I'd love to see her Terrarium.

She's very cute, I was just talking myself out of cresties...then I see her dang. I love her little tail, would be cutter if she wagged it! *lol*

 

[Daedric1]

By request, here are a few pics of the terrarium. Pixel shares a Zoomed 18x18x24 tank with another female of the same weight, a high flame named Vector.

You can see I'm a big fan of Magnaturals plants, ledges, and other terrarium decor. I really hate suction cups, which can fall down and leave marks on the glass. The gecks love their hammock as well as the Magnaturals small hideaways, which both of them sleep in separate ones during the day. I also like to wrap plants around the vines and vice versa for added climbing support.

My other tanks are similar but have slight variations on this setup.

 

[Sidhe]

Wow, very neat set-up! What brand/type of substrate do you use?

I love your pictures, also. The one with the dirt hat is adorable.

 

[prettyinpink]

Oooh thanks for the pics. I LOVE your set-up, very nice!

 

[tlbowling]

WOW! I love that set up Thanks for the pix. Im a BIG fan of magnaturals too:main_thumbsup:

I was disappointed though in the large rock ledge...It does NOT hold the weight of a bearded dragon! (as advertised).

But I love there products for other reptiles before I saw your set up, I already had all kinds of magnatural stuff pre-ordered from pangea for my crested that I can not wait to get!!!!

 

[tlbowling]

Wow, very neat set-up! What brand/type of substrate do you use?

I love your pictures, also. The one with the dirt hat is adorable.

Looks like coconut fiber. There are a few brands like Bed-a-beast, or eco-earth.

 

[Daedric1]

Wow, very neat set-up! What brand/type of substrate do you use?

Yep, it's Zoomed Eco Earth Coconut Fiber.


Thanks for the comments, all. Really appreciate it! :main_thumbsup:

 

[Dron2124]

very cute pictures love the set up. and yes the magnaturals stuff is great. Suction cups are a pain to get to stay and some times when u spray the cage they just fall rite off.

 

[Sidhe]

Yep, it's Zoomed Eco Earth Coconut Fiber.

Thanks. It looks so much nicer in your viv than the Repti-Bark I'm using; I think I'll switch.

 

[tlbowling]

I'd like to use that as my bedding too eventually. How do you keep that clean? Just pick out the droppings? Also how often to you need to change it out?

 

[Dron2124]

when i used coco fiber i never seen poop in the substrate at all. joker likes to poo all over his vines. and i changed mine out about every month and a half or so.

 

[Daedric1]

I'd like to use that as my bedding too eventually. How do you keep that clean? Just pick out the droppings? Also how often to you need to change it out?

I just spot clean droppings and urates as I see them. For the most part, they're probably fine in the soil, as according to Eco Earth,

"Use it damp for tropical species as it naturally absorbs and breaks down odor and waste products."

However, I find that if the substrate stays rather moist, the feces will eventually develop mold if not removed. Therefore, I just make it a habit to clean them out as I see them to avoid the problem.

About every 4-6 weeks, I stir the substrate around and clean the cage accessories. Every 2-3 cleanings I do a complete cage clean (glass, accessories, plants) and replace the substrate completely, so generally about every 2-3 months. If the cage or substrate develops a smell, I clean it sooner though.

I've tried 4 different substrates and this is my favorite one so far.