Substrate whats the best to use in a adult Leo?

[Tico]

#1 Was wondering what Substrate is best to use in a adult Leo?
#2 the person i got my Leo from has the heat pad on the side of the tank should i move it to the Bottom?
#3 the person i got my Leo from also kept crickets inside the tank with the Leo , should i move them to a different cage?
#4 having problem sexing my Leo can someone look ? pictures are that great sorry .http://www.flickr.com/photos/62675061@N02/


Thanks
Scott and Tico the Leo

 

[KelliH]

1. paper towel
2. Yes, you probably should move the heating element to the bottom of the tank. Remember, only one side of the enclosure needs temps around 90, the other side should be regular room temps.
3. Yes, you should remove any uneaten crickets from the cage. You should also set up your feeder bugs (whether they be crickets or worms) in a separate container with gutload (cricket food can be purchased at a pet store or ordered online) and also a water source (I use various veggies).
4. I think it's a male but the pictures are too blurry for me to say for sure. Maybe someone younger with better eyes can answer the question for you

 

[Tico]

thank you for the info .

 

[SDCowboy]

Go with either repticarpet or paper towel. Both are great but paper towel is a little boring.

 

[im faster]

I say female but to blurry to be for sure

 

[Tico]

What about using tile ? or slate ?

 

[im faster]

much better than repticarpet thats for sure.. its the best bet if you want a nice looking sey up..

 

[Blazebabe]

#1 Was wondering what Substrate is best to use in a adult Leo?
#2 the person i got my Leo from has the heat pad on the side of the tank should i move it to the Bottom?
#3 the person i got my Leo from also kept crickets inside the tank with the Leo , should i move them to a different cage?
#4 having problem sexing my Leo can someone look ? pictures are that great sorry .http://www.flickr.com/photos/62675061@N02/


Thanks
Scott and Tico the Leo

1. I find the best substrate - playing sand which can be brought from any hardware store and if it's licked it goes straight through a leo without harming it.

2. The heat pad should be placed all the way on one side of the tank, creating a thermal gradient.

3. I keep my crickets in a room which is just warm, as crickets survive with warmth and add 2 apricots to feed them.

4. Well i've added the pic's for sexing to your thread:main_thumbsup:

 

[SDCowboy]

What about using tile ? or slate ?

Slate is great but it can be pricey.

 

[Blazebabe]

Slate is great but it can be pricey.

Correct on that one:main_laugh::main_thumbsup:

 

[im faster]

1. I find the best substrate - playing sand which can be brought from any hardware store and if it's licked it goes straight through a leo without harming it.
Uh this is quite wrong there are many documented cases of impaction do to play sand

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[Blazebabe]

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Sorry my mistake, what i meant by play sand is the very fine hygenic sand simular to the (Basic sand-Dessert terrarium substrate) (Basissand) from Dolittles.
You can buy children's sand very simular to this but i must admit i'm not 100% sure that it is identical to the above but when my husband used to keep a snake he used the childrens very fine play sand.
This where i got the idea from my husband...he'll know about it after don't worry:main_angry:

 

[PaladinGirl]

I would never do any kind of loose substrate. I tried the reptile carpet but Toon's toes were always getting snagged. And I've seen geckos get their mouths stuck on it when snatching up crickets. Paper towel, newspaper, slate tile--those are supposed to be the best from what I've read so far. I wouldn't risk using sand.

I am always raving about my spin-off of paper towels and newspaper--brown lawn bags from any home improvement store! Looks better than newspaper and paper towels.

 

[im faster]

There is a RISK of impaction with ANY SAND.

leos are NOT from the sandy desert area they have not and will not ever be fully capable of processing sand through there bowels..

Now i will admit the odds are low of impaction..

you have to ask your self is it worth the risk?

 

[Blazebabe]

Everyone as their own opinions and previous to Blaze a while back i had to male Gecko's the same as Tico who's tanks was done the same and due to illness with myself i was unable to keep them and handed them to a reptile shop for re-homing and they was healthy and well cared for but thanks for your opinions as i will now keep a close eye on Blaze but so far at 8mths she seems quite healthy and shreds her skin regular.

 

[Tico]

Do you Pictures of your setup??
Heres the one i got With tico soon to change ...

 

[Blazebabe]

Scott, I'll had a picture of how i've got Blaze set up for you to see.

 

[Blazebabe]

Blaze's tank and she seems happy enough.

 

[Tico]

Blaze's tank and she seems happy enough.

Nice

 

[Blazebabe]

Well scott, she's quite a size i've got to weigh her for 8mths and each day when i fetch her out i check her all over and she always looks healthy plus i calciumed the crickets lastnight and she was soon out plus where she lies i put to damp thin sponges which she moves to suite her and i spray it at night with luke warm water before i turn the back lights off so the red one comes on and off then through the night.