HELP my gecko eats sand?

[zcot789]

Hello i am a owner of 2 geckos and they for some reason eat the sand? the gecko is significantly smaller and i put crickets and mealies but they dont eat them? wat should i do get ride of the sand?

 

[im faster]

Yes get rid of the sand..

and how much calcium do you give them.

 

[JordanAng420]

I think you answered your own question.

 

[TokayKeeper]

As much as I'm a sand advocate...

if the gecko is flat eating sand, having sand defications, etc, move the gecko(s) off of sand. ADDITIONALLY...

1. are you providing crickets and mealworms dusted with calcium and also dusted with a multi-vitamin supplement (this will be done separately)?
2. If not, why aren't you?
3. If you are, what are you using and how often are you supplementing?

Typically when I've seen this occur it's usually a sign the animal is potentially lacking something dietary. My best friend and I have watched in horror with young, captive box turtles taking in mouthfuls of the stuff. These are usually animals he or I have received from owners that relinquish them to us or are improperly setup in local pet stores.

The occasional accidental mouthful is understandable, and almost always results in the animal spitting the sand out. But flat out eating it is a whole other problem in and of itself; this goes for any loose substrate.

 

[roger]

As much as I'm a sand advocate...

if the gecko is flat eating sand, having sand defications, etc, move the gecko(s) off of sand. ADDITIONALLY...

1. are you providing crickets and mealworms dusted with calcium and also dusted with a multi-vitamin supplement (this will be done separately)?
2. If not, why aren't you?
3. If you are, what are you using and how often are you supplementing?

Typically when I've seen this occur it's usually a sign the animal is potentially lacking something dietary. My best friend and I have watched in horror with young, captive box turtles taking in mouthfuls of the stuff. These are usually animals he or I have received from owners that relinquish them to us or are improperly setup in local pet stores.

The occasional accidental mouthful is understandable, and almost always results in the animal spitting the sand out. But flat out eating it is a whole other problem in and of itself; this goes for any loose substrate.

I also agree its a diet issue, or not a proper calcium regimen.The problem with sand is even if tho the leo ingests some small amounts of sand when the feed,unfortunately not all gets expelled when a leo empties itself and accumulates in the intestines.

 

[SDCowboy]

I think you're also find your leo will be much more active off the sand as she doesn't have to slosh through it. They don't come from a loose sand desert and aren't designed to be wading through it.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Get rid of the sand immediately and use paper towel, at least until you find something else you like that cannot hurt the babies.

 

[TokayKeeper]

I think you're also find your leo will be much more active off the sand as she doesn't have to slosh through it. They don't come from a loose sand desert and aren't designed to be wading through it.

Regarding the activity, got anything to back that up? My collection, that's varied in population over the years, says otherwise.

 

[SDCowboy]

Regarding the activity, got anything to back that up? My collection, that's varied in population over the years, says otherwise.

No I don't. That's why I said "I think". As in it's been my experience. AS for where they come from, they don't come from loose sand environments. They are generally hard surface dwellers. As nice as sand looks, it's not accurate to their natural habitat.

 

[im faster]

As much as I'm a sand advocate...

if the gecko is flat eating sand, having sand defications, etc, move the gecko(s) off of sand.

Quoted for the record
hahahaha:main_laugh::main_laugh::main_laugh::main_laugh:

 

[im faster]

No I don't. That's why I said "I think". As in it's been my experience. AS for where they come from, they don't come from loose sand environments. They are generally hard surface dwellers. As nice as sand looks, it's not accurate to their natural habitat.

I have kept loes on all substrates.
on sand I have had juveniles to adults.

I Never had an issue. and all were very active...

I dont use sand now for a few reasons..

1. its not wort the risk though IMO its minor
2. I use racks now. when i had just a couple tanks i preferred it..
however i did monitor them closely and kept temps perfect

 

[Pinky81]

LOL Dennis be good!!! :main_laugh: :main_laugh: :main_laugh: