Which substrate

[BRANDY WYNE kENNELS]

I am purchasing a new gecko and have been reading a gecko book and noticed a statement about which substrate to use. It states the best is red sand. Is this truly the best, or should I stick with the paper towels and moss? If anyone knows of what would be the best substrate I would appreciate it.

Donna

 

[Halley]

It states the best is red sand.

Only the best if you want them dead. So yeah, stick with paper towels. Don't do moss, expect in the moist hide, the humidity will go up to high.

Other than that, you might want to try cage carpet. It looks better, than paper towels, but is basically the same thing. It also comes pre-cut. I would buy 2-3 though, for when you are cleaning one, you still want one in the cage.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=6016+6040+13990&pcatid=13990

If you have three, you could have one clean, one dirty, and one being used.

 

[AllGeckos]

Yeah no good on sand they will end up eating some and no good. I use grey cage carpet which needs to be taken out and soaked and rinsed Id say every month or so. I also keep a folded up paper towel where they poo for easier daily cleaning. Soon I am going to switch to small tile
Also: sometimes they end up getting their mouth stuck on carpet fibers
The tile will be easy to clean look nicer and give alot more decoration options!

 

[reptileluv13]

when i get my leopard gecko i am going to be using tiles.

 

[rhino43grr]

i use ceramic tile. just make sure it's not too smooth.

 

[reptileluv13]

i use ceramic tile. just make sure it's not too smooth.

why cant it be tooo smooth? when i got my leopard gecko i was going to use one granite tile for the cool side and paper towel for the moist side.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Use a substrate that cannot be ingested, like paper towel, tile/slat, or reptile carpet. The tiles that are highly glazed (shiny) are hard for the geckos to get traction for walking.

 

[rhino43grr]

why cant it be tooo smooth? when i got my leopard gecko i was going to use one granite tile for the cool side and paper towel for the moist side.

if the tile is smooth it would be the equivalent of a person having a hockey rink for a floor. it has to be somewhat rough or they won't be able to get any traction and it will be like sliding around in socks on waxed linoleum.