Substrate for reptile shows..

[Dragoon Gecko]

Hey together!
We're getting new rules in some parts of Germany/Europe that forbids us breeders to keep our reptiles on paper towel during reptile shows.

The new rule is that we have to use a substrat for them. Now I'm having a hard time finding the right substrate for my leopardgeckos. I personally find most wooden materials too sharp, and the earth & humus that I used on the last show only stressed my geckos by constantly sticking on their eyes and noses . Needless to say, I get the impression that my poor babys felt way better with the paper towel for various reasons, as they could not eat it, it did not harm them during transportation and it was hygienic and also easy to clean..

Maybe some of you can give an input here? What substrate do you use, and what are your experiences with it?

Looking forward to hear your thoughts & ideas !!

/Rebecca

 

[Syn]

Sphagnum moss is very useful not only for holding in moisture... but it doesn't look bad, either.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Geckos do well and look nice (it's white) on Carefresh. I'm unsure as to its' availability in Europe but can be ordered from US companies that ship to your country. like LLL Reptile. Thankfully, we don't have that rule here, because I don't like to put anything in the deli with my leopard geckos.

 

[Dragoon Gecko]

carefresh sounds like a good idea .

I have tried spaghnum before. I love it for my egg boxes, but not so much for shows as it gets too much moisture easily in the small boxes , so you can't see the gecko ..

BTW wasn't there a white and fluffy product some time ago that was used mostly by snake breeders for reptile shows?

/Rebecca

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Rebecca, that white fluffy looking stuff was likely carefresh. It may be known by a different name in your part of the world. It's a paper based stuff that's absorbent. Poop is easily scooped out without making a mess.

 

[Syn]

carefresh sounds like a good idea .

I have tried spaghnum before. I love it for my egg boxes, but not so much for shows as it gets too much moisture easily in the small boxes , so you can't see the gecko ..

BTW wasn't there a white and fluffy product some time ago that was used mostly by snake breeders for reptile shows?

/Rebecca

I would almost want to suggest a product that uses wax to keep things from "fogging" up, but then I don't know if it would be harmful to the reptiles.

Alternatively you could try to offer more ventilation if you don't mind the other product?

 

[sunshinegeckos]

I know Superior Shipping supplies sells black disposable display cup liners. I dont know if you can order from them being overseas but it wouldnt hurt to check. I cant say whether they work well or not as I haven't used them. I wonder why they made that rule.

 

[IslaReina]

Would they allow paper towels that are shredded?? You could just say it's something else lol

 

[Syn]

Would they allow paper towels that are shredded?? You could just say it's something else lol

Yeah because the first thing you want to do in the reptile business is be deceptive at a show you are trying to sell at and get a good reputation from..

 

[BrightReptiles]

What about perlite or vermiculite?

 

[Taquiq]

What about perlite or vermiculite?

They could ingest this, but it could work. But if your have a lot of leos at the show you may want to ensure optimum safety and go with something more suitable.

 

[Dragoon Gecko]

I wonder why they made that rule.

Honestly, almost nobody here understand this either ..
Everybody with experience on reptiles knows that Paper towel was a very good solution and only in the very best interest for our reptiles during the few hours they spent at the show.
I think it is mostly because we have some animal welfare people here trying for years to forbid reptile shows in general..
/Rebecca

 

[JordanAng420]

I wonder if carefresh is even acceptable then... All it is really is crumpled up newspaper that has been processed. If it were me, I would check with the people or person who runs the show & makes those rules before you do anything.

 

[JordanAng420]

This year at Daytona they were LOOKING for things to nail people for...be safe & get the info straight from the horses mouth...ask them to be more specific

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Honestly, almost nobody here understand this either ..

I think it is mostly because we have some animal welfare people here trying for years to forbid reptile shows in general..
/Rebecca

That really sucks. They start out by picking on little things and it snowballs. Next thing you know, you spend as much time doing paperwork as preparing animals for a show. Europe may need a USARK (usark.org) type organization to protect reptile owners and breeders from unfair regulation.

 

[Dragoon Gecko]

That really sucks. They start out by picking on little things and it snowballs. Next thing you know, you spend as much time doing paperwork as preparing animals for a show. Europe may need a USARK (usark.org) type organization to protect reptile owners and breeders from unfair regulation.

It is definitely getting more and more difficult for us here. Thanks for letting me know about USARK- would be great if we could have something like that in europe too:main_thumbsup:..

/Rebecca

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Rebecca, please let us know what substrate is deemed acceptable once this is sorted out. Someone else in your part of the world may ask the same question