Sand Impaction Poll

[Olimpia]

um, they live in sand in the wild, so why not in captivity??

There´s this huge stress about geckos dying from eating the sand and having it block their digestive track. But some huge breeders, like Tremper, do recomend keeping a gecko on sand after they have reached a certain size (about 6 inches). I also think people make too much of a fuss about the potential hazards to their geckos... I mean they come from Afghanistan for crying out loud, they´ll be fine. They´re tough little things. I´m all for making their life pleasant and easy while in captivity but there is no need to get too worked up about this kind of thing. Just use your common sense.

 

[Krow]

The only reason people want sand because it looks "natural" but the thing is: SAND IS BAD, imo

Weather people have had their leos on sand & they didnt die from, but there even "some" that have had them die from sand impaction, I WOULD NEVER WANNA TAKE THE CHANCE, only cuz it looks better is not a reason to "possible" have a dead gecko. This is my opinion.

What means more to you? The way the tank looks? Or your pet gecko?

Bottom line is, why take the chance?!?

 

[Clink]

I think they are fine on sand. Babies and juvies, I wouldn't personally take the chance on, but that's my opinion.
The only gecko I've ever dealt with that died of impaction died of a cricket leg getting stuck inside it, and it was a baby kept on sand. Given that I haven't worked with thousands of geckos like some have, but they don't keep them on sand for economical purposes.
Geckos can die from many things, bad diet, improper heating, improper nutrient/calcium intake, over breeding, infection, neglect, and the list goes on.
I don't think anyone should be allowed to bad mouth anyone who does keep them on sand. I think it should just be mentioned to them that it isn't recommended, and leave it at that. You don't have the right to yell and blow up at someone who doesn't know or doesn't think it's necessary, because, really, it isn't.
People have kept geckos and other reptiles on sand for decades with no ill effects, some have put them on sand and had them get impacted within weeks. It happens, and most get over the condition, some don't.

 

[Olimpia]

I agree with Clink. I think that you can listen to both sides of thr argument, and if you don't feel comfortable using a certain substrate then jus don't. But there is no need to freak out or get worked up about it. I think too many people ( I don't mean the breeders with the 30-something animals in racks) take such precautions that they have adult geckos living on the most sterile paper towel substrates ever. I personally feel that that is denying the animal its right to act in a more natural way (dig, whatever). But there are dozens of alternatives to sand, just follow what you think is sensible but don't take it to an extreme. They are after all pretty tough little lizards.

 

[geckofreak24]

impactation should not be a problem if your geckos have enough water to flush it through their system

 

[Clink]

And correct supplementation, and a lot of other things all wound up into it. I think if the animals is kept healthy there should really be no problem.