Substrate is a significant concern, as well, and a point of great
contention in the leopard gecko community. Some substrates are
considered to be safer than others, while some are downright dangerous.
There are a few that people have varying viewpoints on, such as sand.
Your
lizards will not do well on bare glass, so it's a good idea to provide
them with something to live on. There are many different options
available, from newspaper to sand to stone to wood chips. You can find
many of them in your home or local pet store. However, don't assume
safety.
Some are more convenient than others, and some are
actually hazardous to your lizard and can cause significant health
problems. Don't assume that just because a substrate is offered in the
pet store, it will be safe. Even bedding labeled for leopard geckos may
not be a good idea.
Leopard geckos should never be housed on cedar
or pine, as these aromatic woods are poisonous to them, and to nearly
every other small animal kept as a pet. The substances that keep these
wood chips smelling good are also toxic when inhaled in large quantities
or when eaten.
Remember that there is a good chance your pet will
consume some of its substrate when it catches insects, or in an attempt
to increase its calcium levels. Choose a bedding that will not block
its digestive system or be poisonous.
This tendency is one reason
that some people choose to bed their lizards on special calcium-rich
sand, as it provides a calcium supplement when ingested, and will not be
poisonous. However, there is some debate about the digestibility of
this substrate, as well as concern over the use of other types of sand,
as they can cause blockages of the digestive tract.
Health
problems may occur with sand beddings, most commonly in young geckos.
Aquarium gravel and walnut shells may also be dangerous, as they are
small enough to eat, but not large enough to pass successfully through
the digestive system.
If sand is chosen, (AND I DO NOT RECOMMEND IT!)make sure that it's the
finest sand you can find, rather than a coarser builder's sand, and
provide regular and copious calcium supplementation to discourage your
lizard from eating it. Many people successfully keep their animals on
sand without problems, but they must pay careful attention.
If
using paper, such as newspaper or paper towels, make sure that it is
blank, or that any inks used are non-toxic. This substrate has the
advantage of being extremely easy to clean. Just remove the paper and
add new substrate whenever it's dirty. It's not a very natural looking
option, however.
Bark is usually a poor choice, being hard to
clean and easy to ingest. Reptile carpet, specially made for use with
snakes and lizards, is a washable, easy to clean substrate that comes
pre cut to the most popular tank sizes, but does not offer a natural
appearance.
Some people also choose to use slate or ceramic tiles,
since these are relatively natural in appearance (unglazed ceramic is
better for this than glazed) and provide flat basking surfaces without
the danger of substrate ingestion.
No matter what substrate you
decide to use, make sure that it's clean and free of dangerous objects
or substances before placing it in your terrarium. Decide whether you
want to simply be able to clean it, or if you'll need to replace it when
its dirty, and whether a natural look is a big priority. This will tell
you the best bedding for your gecko.
Leopard geckos have been popular pets among reptile fans for a long time, and their ease of care and even temperament make it obvious why this is the case. They eat and breed more readily than nearly any other type of lizard, and can be cared for effectively even by amateurs. Of course, it's still important to know about how to take care of these fascinating lizards. In the following posts I will give you some basic facts and care requirements.
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