new pick up from privet breeder, thought somthing was rather odd

[kizzer182]

So I went to a private breeders warehouse to view a couple of leopard geckos (his warehouses was awesome he had various lizards and snakes ect all kept on stricked diets) was a bit like a lizard safari in there. But yeah I saw the substrate he was using on his adult leos and it looked like rabbit pellets? This is the first time iv heard off or seen this, he said its harmless he also keeps bearded dragons on it, any 1 got any points off views on his choice off substrate?

I brought a Murphy patternless just under 2years old, she's never been bread before and is in awesome health. I'll post a pic off her up soon she's getting ready to shead though. Got all her history with her aswell which is good. I'm yet to look threw that.

Whats your opinion on the substrate?

 

[Adinar]

My personal opinion is slate tile (for the tanks) and paper towel (for the racks) all the way.

Loose substrates run the risk of impactation due to ingesting it. Some people might not have issues, but I'm not going to try my luck or my animal's well being.

 

[BrightReptiles]

Are you talking about those large clay balls? I noticed another breeder use them as well, from what I can see they are wayyy too big for a gecko to fit in its mouth, is guess as long as they are cleaned properly they wouldn't be a problem. Don't quote me because I'm a paper towel guy.

 

[LZRDGRL]

I'm using hydroton (the large clay balls). :main_yes:

Naw, kizzer 182 really meant those things that look like rabbit pellets. I think some people in Europe use them. I don't like their looks in a cage. Might be good for transport, but I wouldn't want that at home in my display cages. They're also quite big and probably can't get swallowed, and of course they will be absorbent. If they're cheap, they might be a good option for stores. With such substrate, you can do spot-cleaning by simply throwing a handful out and replacing it. Much easier than poopy paper towels.

If you want something that's optically pleasing, I'd suggest a mixture of tiles and hydroton, so they can dig, but you also have some even/level spaces to put the water, food, and vitamin/calcium dishes on. If you want to go cheap and practical, take paper towel or those pellets (don't know what they cost, actually).

Chrissy

 

[kizzer182]

I got a photo of the beardy he had on it ill post it up soon, my new gecko has gone grey so guess she's about ready to shed. are them clay balls safe just looked at them. I'm quite interested in using them for a bit.