New Nervous Gecko Mom

[Evastia]

Okay, my baby just came in the mail. Her terrarium is all set up, and I only have one question that has been really bugging me. Sorry I haven't introduced myself or anything, but it's just nagging me and I need to ask now! I'm using stone tile as substrate, but in between the cracks I'm using ground english walnut shells. So, granted, there is very, very little loose ground shells throughout the cage. For the few bits that escape the cracks between the tiles, do you think I need to worry much about them getting digested/impacted? She is of course licking everything in her new environment! I figured I needed something to fill the cracks between the tiles to keep them from moving, but now I'm worried.

Thanks for your help, everyone!

 

[theCREECH]

I'm not sure you need to worry about the tiles moving. Are the gaps small or large?

 

[Evastia]

Very small, like the little cracks between kitchen or bathroom floor tiles (maybe even thinner). I'm just afraid they'll shift and pinch a toe or something. Then again, leopard geckos aren't paticularly rowdy. What do you think?

 

[martinez2828]

No need for the walnut shells, I have mine in tiles and like you said their is a small space between the tile but I've never had a probelm with the tilea shifting. I suggest you lose the walnut shells just to be sure and leave it with plain tiles. I'm sure you'll be fine.

 

[katie_]

Can you grout them?

 

[Evastia]

I have thought about grouting them, but then I wouldn't be able to pull them out to clean them, would I?

Thanks for the advice, I think I will just lose the walnut shells! (I just don't want to disturb her while she's hiding and getting acclimated to the cage) It's a shame I paid for them, though. I'm sure I can find a use for them...

 

[ARC8745]

Walnut shells are bad because they can cut up the geckos intestines( i found this out from LeopardShade,whom all credit goes to) . You could stuff the cracks with a little bit of a paper towel or maybe even some hot glue, just make shur to remove all the little spider webs that come off the hot glue.

 

[Evastia]

Walnut shells are bad because they can cut up the geckos intestines( i found this out from LeopardShade,whom all credit goes to) . You could stuff the cracks with a little bit of a paper towel or maybe even some hot glue, just make shur to remove all the little spider webs that come off the hot glue.

OH! You gave me a fabulous idea. I'll put paper towels underneath the tiles. As I'm laying the tiles I'll pinch a little paper towel upward so that it's wrinkled upward into the little crack. GENIUS.

Thanks everyone.

 

[ARC8745]

No problem