Leopard Gecko Substrate

[Brendan]

Hey.

What can I use for the substrate for leopard geckos?

Other than astroturf/reptile carpet, what can I use?

I heard standard newspaper is good, but is it safe? I mean, all the ink gets over my hands, so if its used as a substrate, who knows...the ink may get all over the gecko.

Anyhow, what else can be used? Can gift wrapping paper be used?

 

[Elapid]

i use newspaper. it's cheap and readily available if not very absorbent or aesthetically pleasing.
never noticed any gecko-inking problem.

 

[rosenkrieger]

I've heard of slate tiles being used, and personally, I use repticarpet.

 

[RoachGirlRen]

Paper towel and tile are both good substrates; tile is a bit more appealing to the eye, but paper towel is cheap and easy to clean. Newspaper should not result in an inked gecko if the environment is appropriately arid, but I am a bit leery of it nonetheless. Though most newspapers are now printed with non-toxic soy based inks, there are certain dyes that some species are sensitive to. Some nice non-bleacher paper towels seem to me a safer bet (though I do love the look of tile!). Reptile carpet can certainly be used, but one must be very mindful of fraying and cleanliness.

To make a point on sand, just in case anyone should feel prompted to suggest something so dangerous, let me say this. The sand we use in the captive environment is coarse grained silicate or quartz, not the very fine sands these animals are accustomed to in nature. This combined with the fact that wild leopard geckos hunt primarily in rocky and packed-earth areas means that the large, loose sands of the captive environment are a far cry from any attempt to mimic nature. The result is often impaction and thus, death. What's more, though the sands of a natural desert are constantly changed and renewed by the forces of nature, sand in a small aquarium quickly becomes begrimed, which can have dire consequences as dangerous bacteria mount. Just a pre-emptive challenge to any such suggestion.

 

[KyuZo]

I used to use used printer papers from the recycle bin.

 

[phil jones]

i have had them on paper towel / and news paper / and ADULTS on the sand from my PET SHOP the best place to get the right sand i think as of 6weeks ago i have a baby one on PAPER TOWEL the thick kind and it works for us ---- phil

 

[Acro]

I've been keeping leopard geckos on cal sand mixed with quarts sand for about 10 years with no trouble. They digest/pass that stuff and as long as you spot clean, there is no need to worry about bacateria, also bacteria does not usually live well in dry environments. Stir up the sand every now and then so it does not get packed down. I change sand out about once a year. I prefer setting up my animals with something more natural than astro turf or paper, but I know many people who use that and it works fine. Leopard geckos are very sturdy animals and do well when set up in many different ways!

 

[tyrant963]

I saw enclosures that didnt even use substrate :? Just had the glass bottom. I asked him why and he said it was easier to clean.

And you posted this in Insects and other Invertebrates

 

[Andrew273]

Don't use just glass, use paper towels. So easy. No ink, nothing big for clean up. That's what we use at work and we've never had a problem (not in the display tanks, in the new arrival room).