BEST and WORST Leopard Gecko Substrates
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 มิ.ย. 2024
- Hi everyone! Let's talk about substrate for leopard geckos, both loose substrates and non-loose substrates. Not all are made equal! Let me know if I missed any, and let me know what you use for your geckos down below.
HEY!! I recently competed in the snake discovery enclosure build off, and I used two bags of the bio dude’s Terra sahara and didn’t come across many rocks at all! So I think maybe the bag I got in the past was just loaded. I mixed it with some play sand and really like how it turned out.
00:01 Intro and Disclaimers
01:00 All of your substrate options
01:11 Non-loose substrates
01:27 Loose substrates
02:00 Paper towel
02:26 Newspaper
02:44 Kitchen cabinet liner
03:40 Reptile carpet/coconut fiber liner
04:15 Tile
04:43 Impaction
05:40 The Biodude's Terra Sahara
06:08 Josh's Frogs Bio-Bedding Arid
06:43 Arcadia Earth Mix Arid
07:00 Top Soil & Sand
08:15 Gravel
09:15 Crushed walnut shell
09:41 Eco earth/coconut fiber
10:53 Reptibark, Mulches, Coco chip
11:29 Aspen
12:01 Sand
12:45 Calcium sand
13:04 Reptisoil
13:43 Cleanliness
BLACK SOLDIER FLY LARVAE (affiliate link):
Eco Flys ecoflys.com/?ref=bvxw70n51t
USE CODE JESSICASANIMALFRIENDS FOR 10% OFF
COOL REPTILE ENCLOSURES (affiliate links):
Zen Habitats www.zenhabitats.com/?aff=19
Custom Reptile Habitats customreptilehabitats.com/?sc...
All American Cages allamericancages.com/r?id=onvrj3
AMAZON AFFILIATE SHOP:
www.amazon.com/shop/jessicasa...
REALLY COOL REPTILE SHOES BY ZILLA FOOTWEAR (affiliate link)
zillafootwear.com/?ref=jessic...
WAYS TO SUPPORT MY ANIMAL FRIENDS:
Patreon: / jessicasanimalfriends
Merch: teespring.com/stores/jessicas...
Donate: paypal.me/jessicasgeckos
WHERE TO FIND MY ANIMAL FRIENDS:
Instagram: / jessicasanimalfriends
Facebook: / jessicasanimalfriends
Tik Tok: jessicasanimalfriends
WHERE TO FIND ME:
Side TH-cam Channel: / justjessica
Instagram: / jessicafennen
Twitter: / jessicafennen
CONTACT:
I am available by email here: jessicasanimalfriends@yahoo.com
I am available through Instagram DMs (@ jessicasanimalfriends)
If you have questions about your pets, the best place to reach me is on Patreon, as I get direct notifications whenever I get a DM
![[Watch Party] APL 2024 Bacon Time Vs Hong Kong Attitude ชนะเข้ารอบ](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ikUfW81sDaw/mqdefault.jpg)
IMPORTANT DISTINCTION: Calcisand is NOT sand. It is pure calcium carbonate. Sand is made of quartz and other minerals. Calcium carbonate is an eye, lung, and skin irritant, and is a digestible antacid. Meaning it will impede digestion. It’s all around a terrible experience to subject any animal to living on.
WOW i am dumb- literally thought it was sand mixed with calcium. I’ve just always avoided it because it’s been labeled dangerous by so many.
@@JessicasAnimalFriends I’m glad I could help, since I used to think the same thing! I didn’t realize just how bad that stuff actually is until I looked into it!
@@arnicamoana7861 I hope you don’t mind that I pinned your comment, it’s very helpful!
@@JessicasAnimalFriends I don’t mind one bit :)
The worst thing is despite it being so harmful and unsuitable it is STILL being stocked and marketed as a suitable substrate.
I see it online and in shops ALL the time.
Personally I hate all non loose substrates, they’re not enriching at all and they’re hard on the joints of the reptile. I would only use it for rescued and/or special needs reptiles. I get that people are concerned about impaction, but taking away the opportunity to dig from a burrowing animal is like taking away a child’s toys because there’s a tiny chance that they could choke.
yeah plus in nature they have that
I'm personally going to use both, so they can get the enrichment and w/ tile heat passes through well
@@Lana-dk2ie That’s probably the best option
If you want to do all loose substrate, but want a hard material for your heat pad, use a piece of real Slate stone instead of tile.
But don't go to a big box hardware store for it, you'll end up with concrete made to look like stone; you've got to go to an actual landscape business to get the real stuff, and it's cheap and heavy enough to hold itself in place in the enclosure, but if you're worried about it moving some silicone on the bottom will hold it.
Slate takes longer to heat up, but it holds and transfers heat so much better than tile, and it's got the necessary surface texture, my Leo loves to rub on it, especially when shedding, and it's fun to watch.
What loose substrate do you recommened?
I seriously hope the U.S. gets some Earthmix Arid at some point!! I’d love to try it!
We’ve all been waiting on it 😭 i swear i look it up once a month
Same
I highly advise against using it, one of geckos got it stuck all up in his nostrils and I had to take him to the vet to get it all removed
Thank you for another great video! :)
I just got my first leopard and this vid was very helpful thanks so much!!
So, I don't keep leopard geckos, but I will be keeping a few texas banded geckos soon, which are closely related to leos, and I believe they are a good comparison. When I set up their enclosure, I actually used multiple layers of substrate to recreate their desert habitat; the bottom two layers consist of mostly topsoil, with sand and decomposed granite mixed in. The top layer is decomposed granite with sand, and it compacts well when wet. This substrate is very close to that found in the deserts where these geckos come from, and the two layers allow for plant growth and burrowing behavior. Once the geckos arrive, I'm sure they'll appreciate the natural substrate.
@TheChickenWizard
I ran to grab a pen and paper after reading your comment.
I've been wracking my brain trying to come up with how to make the most natural and realistic substrate for my Leo.
This is fantastic, thank you,
I don’t personally sanitize or sift my soil! I’ve never baked, frozen, or sifted, and honestly I don’t think it’s necessary because it does kill beneficial microbes, especially in bioactive enclosures. Checking through your dirt (for critters and for debris) is naturally going to be a good idea. I’ve seen salamanders get found, and I’ve found a bit of plastic tarp personally.
Baking might get rid of fungus gnats, but only at first. They sort of just get in sometimes. That’s about managing humidity to me.
The topsoil at my hardware store is so hit or miss and sometimes gets really waterlogged from sitting outside so I always bake it as a precaution. But thanks for your insights!
@@JessicasAnimalFriends I could definitely see why somebody might bake or freeze a bag of nasty, stinky anaerobic soil. Thankfully hasn’t been the case for me yet, but I could see it being warranted 100%
Great video to help people understand substrates.
Glad to hear you mention sanitation of topsoil, there are lots of tiny things living in the dirt so it's seriously important.
I love watching videos on all things Leopard Gecko, husbandry, and enclosure creations; and you Jessica, Rebecca @ Leopard Gecko, and the Northern Exotics guy are my favorite Leo tubers, the three of you combined could start a university.
I've bought bio dude Sahara and was excited to have a nice premade loose substrate.
But, I found rocks throughout, and also found nails, chunks of plastic and foam, cardboard, and some kind of thin gold and silver foil pieces.
I returned it for a new bag and found the same thing, my best guess is that it's made out of reclaimed construction/building materials run through a grinder or shredder.
I don't know why we can't, but I wish we could get Arcadia products in the US.
Omg I would love to have Arcadia substrates here. Going through the top soil is necessary but such a pain. Also Rebecca and I are buddies :)
There are various websites you can get Arcadia products from in the US. It’s weird that your terra Sahara had that stuff in it, from what I’ve heard that’s generally not a problem. A soil/playsand/clay mix would be a good DIY substrate.
Thank you, this vid was very helpful🙂
I was reading about the compounds in cabinet liner offgassing. Adhesive is especially heinous on the front of VOCs. Vinyl and other compounds are used often in human flooring and there’s a lot of literature indicating harmful effects, especially under heat, so I don’t ever tend to recommend it.
Interesting- I have never heard about this. I will do some more research! Thanks for sharing :)
Thank you now I don’t have to say it. Liners awful.
A lot of kitchen liners also aren't food or heat safe! So any temp that's above room temp will allow it to start offgassing
Hello I’m getting my first leopard gecko tomorrow, your videos have helped a lot!
Update: i got her and she’s extremely healthy and loves to eat worms lol
Awww congrats!
U got de geeko?? 🤔
(not how I actually talk)
@@Curooror yes! She loves her new home
@@James-br7qy that's great!
I kept my leopard gecko on paper towel until he was around 8 months old and the switched him to a mixture of sand, reptisoil top soil, and a little bit of eco-earth mixed in. I've had a lot of success with it, and he couldn't be happier. He loves diging in it.
However I had a terrible experience with repti carpet before switching him to paper towel.
I got him from a pet store that were keeping him on reptile carpets as a teeny tiny hatchling, within the first week of having him home I noticed his toe looked weird and too short from the first day I got him but I figured it was just kind of a birth defect or something and it didn't really seem to be bothering him, until one day I woke up and his toe was bloody. I panicked and took him to the vet thinking it was stuck shed or something I done wrong as he was my first Leo and I wasn't confident 100% in my husbandry yet.
My vet let me know that it was not stuck shed and it appeared that he had ripped his toenail and perhaps even part of his toe off before I got him and it had scabbed over and was healing until he had ripped the scab off.
My vet said this is something she has seen several times from reptile carpet, in which an animal rips it's toenail off after getting it caught in the carpet, it can then get infected and cause toe loss which she's pretty sure was happening at the pet store before I got him and then he ripped the scab off on my reptile carpet.
I felt horrible and immediately threw the carpet away when I got home from the vet, and I would 100% recommend nobody uses reptile carpet.
Yeah I have heard of a lot of issues with repti carpet :/
I am figuring out what substrate to switch to for my leopard gecko, (Keep in mind he is on half tile half eco earth.) And I am worried about the risk of impaction with another substrate so any tips could help!
I think imma do the same
Thank you for this video
I have had many subtrates and many lizards. My previous beardie lost a toe due to reptile carpet.
But I'm pretty obsessive cleaner and that was a NIGHTMARE to keeo clean.
So that try was very short for me about 12 years ago.
I have found to be most enriching for both leopard geckos and beardies a mix of cocofiber (the fine one) mixed withplaysand and Earthmix Arrid from arcadia just as it is AND mixed with fine coco fiber as Earthmix is quite expensive in Finland and I can "strech" it with cheap coco fiber.
Also cocofiber gives it texture to the Earthmix as I have found that all my lizards enjoy digging especially when they are going to sleep.
I have found these methods absolutely perfect as they absorb poop (especially softer and wetter beardie poop that they tend to make a mess on non-loose substrate) and make it absolute breeze to clean every day.
For bearded dragons I recommend a soil/playsand/clay mix. This is the most natural option for them and holds their burrows.
I don’t recommend using coconut fibre since it tends to be dusty when dry, but it’s not too bad when mixed with earth mix arid I suppose. Although top/potting soil would be a better alternative to coconut fibre.
Thanks 🙏
Edit: what ratios do you use for the leopard gecko mix?
I would be lost without your videos
I actually recommend ReptiSoil for people looking for loose substrate! It's not as fine as coco fiber, so you don't have to keep it wet to keep it from getting kicked up into the air. It feels a lot like topsoil in my hand, but I'm sure it's some kind of blend of topsoil and sand and other stuff. You can keep it dry, and your gecko probably won't end up kicking up any dust when they dig. So, unlike EcoEarth, you don't have to get it wet to avoid eye and nose irritation. It also seems to dry out more quickly than coco fiber when I was trying them out, so that's also a plus for a leopard gecko enclosure.
In my setup, I have a layer of tile that's bare over top the heater, for the most part, and then I have a layer of Reptisoil, with some blank spots for feeding purposes. I used the last of the EcoEarth I bought in the humid hide before I switched that over to ReptiSoil there as well. It looks like it's been pretty successful so far.
It probably won't support live plants, and I have no idea about how it works for a bioactive enclosure, but if you just want a loose substrate for digging enrichment, that looks nice, and is safer than sand, Reptisoil is a pretty good choice, in my opinion.
I completely agree about reptisoil! Just some advice about heating: heat mats aren’t a great heat source. A halogen flood bulb connected to a dimmer/dimming thermostat is the most natural and beneficial option, Arcadia’s deep heat projector is the second best option. They produce IRA and IRB like the sun, heat that penetrates deep into the skin tissue and heats them far more effectively than heat mats. Whereas heat mats only produce IRC, which only heats the surface of their skin
@@nightinggale6470 Yeah, I've been thinking about getting a deep heat projector. I'm always a little concerned about providing a UVB that's too bright for her, because she's an albino. She doesn't have the red albino eyes, but she generally doesn't like too much light, so I'm afraid of irritating her eyes with a flood light or a particularly bright UVB. And, you know, there's all the horror stories about geckos going blind and all that, particularly albinos.
@@danieltaylor4185 understandable. I have an albino too and she does great with a DHP. Although halogens are more natural and beneficial, and albinos can do well with lighting (it can depend on the individual though). When dimmed with a dimmer or dimming thermostat, halogens aren’t very bright. Low UVB is good as well. As long as you provide plenty of plant coverage so they can move out of the light when they want to, she should do fine.
So I recommend giving a dimmed halogen/UVB a try, but if it doesn’t work out, a deep heat projector is the next best option.
For more information I recommend checking out the heating/lighting section of the leopard gecko care guide on the website reptifiles. The Reptile Lighting, Advancing Herpetological Husbandry, and Leopard Gecko - Advancing Husbandry Facebook groups have more information as well.
i just bought it just bc of this comment!
I enjoyed every time you said inappropriate 😂❤
Thank you very much for all this information I keepmmy gecko in a mix of sphagnum peatmoss , sand from their environment, and a few plants, he digs in the sand -_- snoot usually has some dirt on it, and I have had one or 2 things I've dug out of his mouth, otherwise no issues. Actually ended up serving to build his trust more, he opens his mouth wide for me almost on command now, has a bioactive system with bunch of cleaner bugs, I haven't actually seen a poop ever, the isopods must follow him around for it hehe
I bought a leopard gecko from an expo a few years ago, and it turns out he was severely impacted with crushed walnut substrate. I contacted the person who sold him and he just used the excuse that he’s never had it happen before. 🙄 I got my money back, but I still spent money at the vet and went home without a gecko. I’ve witnessed this man say he’s a fish guy and didn’t know anything about reptiles, so I was so upset with his response.
I am so so sorry you experienced that :( how terrible. Thank you for sharing your experience.
My mix: everything.
Topsoil, play sand, excavator clay, calcium sand, crushed walnut shell, coco fiber, coco chips, gravel/charcoal pellet (the bottom) in a 55 gallon bowfront corner tank. Handcrafted caves using clay and balloons.
Calcium sand and crushed walnuts are not safe substrates and have no benefits, why use them in the mix at all? All you need is a soil/sand/clay mix.
Hi Jessica! I love your videos, my question is super-off-topic, though: Where did you get that gorgeous green necklace you're wearing, it is absolutely beautiful!🎉
Thank you for this! I absolutely hate reptile carpet. Used it for a bit because it came with my rescue, and never again... Have you heard of Jurassic Natural? It's a natural substrate from Australia marketed for beardies. I've had success mixing it with a little soil and it looks awesome. It's not dusty, and over time it forms a nice crust on the surface layer. It does make the enclosure super heavy though, and it's more expensive than I'd like! 😅
I haven’t heard of it! Thanks for the suggestion.
How do you feel about the Exo Terra sand mat? I've looked into it, and it doesn't seem like a huge risk however I'm not 100% sure. I plan to start him off in a 20 gallon and eventually upgrade to a 40 gallon later on down the line and do tile, but I don't want to start off with tile just yet. Instead, I'm looking for something that would do well for the next few months but won't cause risk. I was looking into the Josh's Frogs bioactive desert substrate, but it mentioned I can't use a heating pad. Do you have any advice/recommendations?
Sand mats aren’t a good substrate. New reptiles should be quarantined on paper towel for at least six weeks (ideally three months) to monitor their health. After, a suitable loose substrate is best; digging enrichment is very beneficial for them. A mix that’s 60% manure-free potting soil and 40% washed playsand (or soil/sand/clay) is a good DIY mix that’s also quite cheap. I don’t know much about Josh’s Frogs bioactive desert substrate, but it sounds like it should be good. Arcadia earth mix arid and terra Sahara from the bio dude are good as well.
Heat mats aren’t a good heat source, overhead heating is much better for them. A halogen flood bulb connected to a dimmer/dimming thermostat is the most natural and beneficial option, Arcadia’s deep heat projector is the second best option. They produce infrared A and B like the sun, heat that penetrates deep into the skin tissue and heats them far more effectively than heat mats. Whereas heat mats only produce IRC, which only heats the surface of their skin.
I feel like the main benefit of keeping them on Coconut fiber is that if small amounts are consumed, it will pass through them easier than sand, rocks and gravel could, lessening the risk of impaction while keeping them on a more naturalistic substrate
Coconut fibre isn’t a great substrate for them. It’s unnatural, dusty when dry, can be hard on their joints, doesn’t hold burrows, etc. A soil/playsand or soil/sand/clay mix is ideal. Most substrates can be passed just fine as long as their husbandry (temps/heating, hydration, etc.) is correct.
Coco fiber is more like tree bark than natural earth.
@@myownmasterpiece8788 Yeah, I'm not claiming that it's entirely natural or that it's the ideal substrate. But I'd much rather keep my gecko on coco fiber than on sand or gravel. Everything is a spectrum, some things are more risky than others. And in comparison to sand, coco fiber is far more safe and more easily digested in case it get eaten.
I have Repti-Soil is this good to use for leopard geckos? Edit: SORRY!! I hadn't finished the video all the way and didn't realize you included it lol! Thank you!
I use a half and half sand and eco earth mix on top of tile just in case anyone was wondering hah- my leo just turned one recently so for now I can say that it works pretty well :) the tile has exposed spots in his favourite basking spots because he’s worn it away haha… I always feel bad when I clean him out because I get rid of all his little spots ;-;
Nice! Just a recommendation: it would be better to use soil in the mix instead of eco earth. Eco earth is unnatural, dusty when dry (which can cause respiratory issues), and hard on their joints.
My leopard gecko is currently on reptile carpet and I only recently found out how terrible it is, luckily I haven't had her for too long, but I'm switching to tile this week! I'm not experienced with loose substrate and my old gecko had a lot of constipation issues so I don't want my current one to ingest some of the loose substrate, tile seems to be one of the safer and prettier options lol, and I'll try to get one that isn't too slippery for her little claws !!
I hope you consider switching to loose substrate at some point, digging/burrowing enrichment is very beneficial for them! You could also do half textured tile half loose. If you’re not comfortable feeding on loose substrate you could thing feed or feed on the tile side :)
@@nightinggale6470 what kind of substrate should I put on the substrate side?
@@tupnas a soil mix would be best, 60-70% soil to 30-40% sand (or soil/sand/clay). Good premade mixes include reptisoil, Arcadia earth mix arid, and terra Sahara from the bio dude.
@@nightinggale6470what soil do you recommend
What tank is that you used for your geckos at 4:18
Honestly for “belly heat”… I’m of the opinion that loose substrate shouldn’t be used with exclusively a heat mat or heat tape. The heat is very superficial and would have a lot of issues moving through an appropriate depth of soil, and when geckos dig to escape heat, I fear it could result in burns. I’m just not a fan. Overhead heating all the way!
I love, love, love the Arcadia deep heat projector for this.
Fortunately unlike the Arcadia Earth mix arid the deep heat projector is available in America and works great!
I noticed a difference in my gecko's energy and activity levels within a week of having the deep heat projector.
@@unofficiallymykie5949 I love halogen basking lamps, and I’m super loving a new pangea dhp!
@@unofficiallymykie5949 can you link the deep heat projector and thermostat you use? I'm temporarily using a heat mat but do want to do a DHP
I do both! I have an under-tank heater, and then an overhead heat lamp but there is a separation by a hide and a basking rock so it isn't just heat on top of heat. I have the under tank heater set on a thermostat and periodically check the basking rock/soil with a heat gun. That way she can use whichever she wants. So if she does dig she won't get burned. She also has a hide on the opposite side if she wants to cool off. She has been doing wonderfully! :)
I have read in the 'Leopard Gecko Manual' that sand is safe for adult leopard geckos as long as you provide a bowl of calcium in the enclosure. They also stated that calcium sand is not recommended.
When was this ‘leopard gecko manual’ published? It’s likely outdated. Calcium dishes aren’t necessary, dusting their feeders is enough. Pure sand isn’t a suitable substrate for leopard geckos; it’s unnatural, can be dusty, can be hard on their joints (consistency is too loose), doesn’t hold burrows or retain humidity, etc. A soil/playsand or soil/sand/clay mix is best.
good day miss,can i ask if the natural garden soil and a sand can be good for the leopard gecko for the realistic setup?
Yep! A mix that’s 60% manure-free potting soil and 40% silica-free washed playsand is good for them. Or a soil/sand/clay mix
How do you feel about gravel under the substrate ? I got reptisoil and was thinking of doing large gravel underneath
Like for a drainage layer? Might make the tank unnecessarily heavy. Won’t hold moisture as well as the clay balls normally used BUT I can’t really speak against it as I haven’t tried it
Opinion on just having a section with substrate? My gecko is about two years old and has very little exposure to substrate. I was always taught to believe substrate was bad but I want what’s best for my gecko. Husbandry is good, many hides in his cage (over 40 gallon enclosure) with a hot section and cool section of regulated temp. I’m thinking of making about 1/4 of his cage substrate as a start and see how it goes. If I were to do that, is there a certain section of the cage that would be best (hot or cool side?).
You could definitely start with only a section if you want to! I’d eventually move to at least half loose, if not 100% loose. It doesn’t really matter which side you put it on, but if you’re using slate/tile as part of the substrate, it’s good to have that on the warm side to heat up under the lamp.
any opinion on cypress mulch?
What size enclosure do you recommend for one leopard gecko?
Is it safe to have adhesive shelf liner if you are using over head heat ?
No, adhesive shelf liner will release dangerous fumes when heated. Besides, you want a suitable loose substrate mix that’ll offer digging/burrowing enrichment such as a soil/playsand or soil/sand/clay mix.
I have eco earth, mixed with calcium sand and a separate type of soil (don’t know what it is). I have to gotten my leo yet, do you think it’s good?
Unfortunately calcium sand is not a suitable substrate, and eco earth isn’t great either. A soil/sand or soil/sand/clay mix is ideal (sand without calcium, such as playsand).
If your gecko has no issues like MBD that prevents it, all geckos should be given the opportunity to dig in a loose substrate. If your husbandry is not good enough to allow loose substrate, you should change your husbandry or rehome your gecko. NOT turn to plastic mat.
Yeah I think substrate is great for abled geckos! All of my geckos without disabilities have substrate. I even tried it a few times with a couple of my disabled geckos, but it was unsuccessful.
THANKS FOR SHARING
Of course!
💚💚
So any great points.
With the top soil, is it okay for it to be a little moist? Or should I completely get it dried before putting it in my tank? If it’s okay for it to be a little wet, will there be risk of mold growing on my geckos hides and fake plants?
It will dry out inside the enclosure so you should be fine
What do you recommend to bake the topsoil at? Meaning what temp setting what you use?
200F
Are you going to make a video on the Snake discovery event? I'm rooting for you :)
YEP! 2 videos- one build video, one touring the facility & meeting new faces!
And thanks so much 🥺❤️
@@JessicasAnimalFriends Great! :) ♥️
I was hopeful someone would ask this.I actually just subscribed to everyone at the event yesterday so I could learn a little about all of you. I have been watching snake discovery for awhile.
@@jessicahiggins912 such a great channel & such lovely people! I am currently scripting & editing the video now!
I might get hate but I use reptile mat and I have multiple but I do provide a loose substrate and my leopard geckos love it
Reptile mats/carpet are not a suitable substrate unfortunately; they harbour bacteria, for one. I’d just stick to a loose substrate mix :)
Great video also is earth mix arid safe for a younger gecko even when tong fed insects
Ask the channel leopard gecko! She uses it
Thanks for the reply I'm already subbed to her channel so I'll ask the next she uploads btw can you place plastic plants next to the heat source
The answer to both of your questions is yes. The plastic plants just shouldn’t be too close to the bulb itself.
Hiya! I've watched a couple other big reptile peeps on YT (Like WWR and a Go Herping) and it seems like maybe "Play Sand" when mixed with something like Topsoil is safe, and it doesn't stick to things. Have you had any experience with Play Sand or have any specific thoughts on it? I'd love to know your opinion on it! Thank you
Hi! I mention play sand and topsoil in this video! I use it :)
@@JessicasAnimalFriends OH! Haha, I'm a dork - sorry, lol! XD That answers my question, thank you!
Very informative. My local pet shop (not the box stores) recommended repti-bark for our gecko. She was an xmas gift for my son, who's really into reptiles and paleontology.
One of the employees (not the owner) said she likes to use a bioactive substrate after she heard my son asking about real plants in the enclosure.
What would be your best reco for that? Baked top soil/sand?
I had a leo when I was a kid and we used sand because we were told it was best (some 30 years ago) but now I know straight sand can be harmful. I was honestly surprised to even hear you promote sand mix.
Definitely don’t use reptibark. A bioactive setup would be great! And yes, a soil/sand or soil/sand/clay mix would be ideal.
can I use arcadia earthmix arid in a vivarium that is not bioactive? i really like the substrate but i’m not trying to go bioactive. just not sure if it works that way 😅
Yep!
what should I use for the humid hide? I'm quite scared my leopard gecko might try to lick the substrate and cause an impaction. It's also my first leopard gecko and I'm scared it might die if I don't use the right thing.
Any hide with a bottom will work as a humid hide. You could also make your own.
Impaction is caused by improper husbandry/underlying health issues, not loose substrate. As long as their husbandry is correct (temps/heating, hydration, etc.) a healthy animal will be able to pass loose sub no problem. They live on loose terrain in the wild, they’ve evolved to be able to handle it. A soil/sand or soil/sand/clay mix is ideal for substrate, digging enrichment is very beneficial for them.
Im just looking for a good safe substrate for a dig box/area and a moist box and the rest is paper towels. Any suggestions?
For a dig box eco earth is fine!
I strongly recommend using full or at least half loose substrate. While a dig box is better than nothing, they honestly don’t offer much enrichment, nowhere near as much as loose substrate.
I plan on using eco earth and reptisoil, is that alright for a leopard gecko? Its a 50/50 mix
The eco earth is unnecessary, I’d just use Reptisoil on its own.
can you put loose substrate on top of a reptile matt? (just in case they dig so far that they will dig on the glass.)
It’s okay if they dig to the glass
Would keeping Leopard Geckos on slate flooring be alright? Or would it be better with a loose substrate and then some areas being the slate flooring?
Totally up to you. Tile is fine. Loose substrate is fine. Combining both is fine.
@@JessicasAnimalFriends thank you so much for the speedy reply! I just wanted to make sure. I’m a new leopard gecko owner and seriously your videos and Leopard Gecko’s videos are a god send. Loved the video, I hope you are having an awesome day/night :)
I hope you have a lovely day too!
Hey! My gecko just shed yesterday and she has stuck shed up her back calf, I’ve been gently trying to help her a bit by using a wet q tip but it still isn’t coming off. Any tips?
Try soaking in lukewarm water. Are you certain it’s just stuck shed? Could it possibly be burned skin?
@@JessicasAnimalFriends okay! I will! And yes it seems to just be stuck shed!
Thank you for the reply!
How do you sanitize the soil in the topsoil and play sand mix?
I linked a video in the cards! Just check my channel there’s a video about how I sanitize top soil. As for sand, I just sift through it.
@@JessicasAnimalFriends Oh okay thanks
someone at the pet shop recommended me calci sand for my gecko. i spent a lot on it and had no clue how bad it was, what would be the better and safest option?
try a play sand/ top soil mix
Question so I’m getting a leopard gecko in a few months super nervous about it especially concerning substrate. Keep in mind I’m a complete beginner so I’m doing al research I can. What would you personally recommend for a beginner. I would something that looks nice but also looks as natural for the leopard gecko so he seems as comfortable as possible. I’m not knowledgeable yet to start bio active
I think tile is a great option for beginners
New reptiles should be quarantined on paper towel for at least six weeks (ideally three months) to monitor their health. After, once you’re more confident with your care, a suitable loose substrate (a soil/playsand or soil/sand/clay mix) is best for digging enrichment.
I currently have a mix of eco earth and sand. Is this an okay substraight?
It’s not terrible, although eco earth isn’t ideal. A soil/sand or soil/sand/clay mix would be best.
I use a base of Excavator Clay with some areas of Eco Earth for digging. Best of both worlds!
I recommend using soil or a soil/playsand mix for the loose part, eco earth is unnatural and tends to be dusty
@@nightinggale6470 it's made of coconut fiber so it's pretty natural. Haven't had a dust issue. It's also digestible unlike sand.
@@clutchcargo666 by unnatural I mean that geckos don’t live on it in the wild, nor does any animal. It’s not digestible, it’s plant matter (which geckos cannot digest). Sand can be passed as long as their husbandry (temps/heating, etc.) is correct.
cotton weave is the best washable substrate. its claws are FAR less likely if not impossible to get caught on it. there are no loose fibers and tightly woven fabric has no sizable holes when on a horizontal surface (unlike knit fabrics like in a teeshirt). still has all the other downsides of reptile carpet, but is less dangerous. If you want to know if a fabric is safe, rub a piece of velcro across the fabric going against the hooks. if the velcro sticks, then its not safe
Hey I also had a quick question about feeding so I’m can I dust all the food I give my leopard help with the repashy super food calcium and I’ll leave the only calcium powder in the leopard gekos tank? And do I feed my leopard gekos like three days a week like Monday Thursday and Sunday and I repeat that every week or how is it supposed to be? I’m sorry I’m asking a lot 😂
Full grown leos usually only need to eat 1-2 times a week, like every 4-5 days, if they’re a healthy weight. And you’ve got it right with the calcium- Repashy calcium plus on the insects and calcium without D3 in a dish.
@@JessicasAnimalFriends thanks 🥰
I’m getting a leopard gecko from someone who’s rehoming it. Has metabolic bone disease pretty bad is what the owner told me. I will of course be getting it to the bet for a check over but I’d like some advice on what type of things to use for the gecko. I’ve been told it walks on it’s elbows arms are messed up. Would it be easier to use tile or loose substrate? Do I just make sure the hides are low and smooth? Should I put some hide options to climb? I just want to provide a stress free enriching home I’ve just never had a leopard gecko before.
Don’t use loose substrate, I tried it with my girl with MBD and it made walking so much harder. I recommend a smooth tile or kitchen cabinet liner
Climbing isn’t going to be easy so just offer low to the ground climbing options, usually things with texture are best bc it offers easier grip
@@JessicasAnimalFriends thank you! I really appreciate the advice. I’ll make sure to use tile and keep it simple.
I would try half loose substrate half tile. You could always switch to full solid if half loose doesn’t work out. Leopard geckos and other reptiles with MBD can still potentially do well on loose (I’ve seen multiple cases of them doing fine on loose), it depends on the substrate and individual though. Besides, full solid/hard substrates like tile can potentially be hard on their joints. I would check out the Advancing Herpetological Husbandry and Leopard Gecko - Advancing Husbandry groups on Facebook for more information. Good options for the loose half include zoo med’s reptisoil, a mix that’s 60% top/potting soil and 40% playsand (or a soil/sand/clay mix), Arcadia earth mix arid, or Terra Sahara from the bio dude.
I've been debating on to try Bio dude's or Josh's frogs for my leopard gecko. I'm planning on having his underheat side with slate tiles and slate rocks. but I don't know which is better? Should i mix both? 🤔 He has overhead CHE as well (both are on temperature controllers)
So the bio dude’s substrate is a pretty fine mix, more soil than anything else. It does have small rocks thrown in here and there which you can remove if you’d like. Josh’s Frogs substrate is a mix of soil & sand, but you also get chunky bits like bark. It’s really going to be down to personal preference. When I use the bio dude substrate I mix sand in it & remove the rocks. But both are good options!
Hmmm sounds like I will have to buy small bags of both and let Bill choose. He is super picky about textures and a picky eater too lol. Thank you!!
Just letting you know: heat mats and CHEs aren’t good primary heat sources. A halogen flood bulb connected to a dimmer/dimming thermostat is the most natural and beneficial option, Arcadia’s deep heat projector is the second best option. They produce IRA and IRB like the sun, heat that penetrates deep into the skin tissue and heats them far more effectively than heat mats. Whereas heat mats and CHEs only produce IRC, which only heats the surface of their skin.
@@nightinggale6470 I never knew the details of why the halogen and deep projecter heat bulbs are better before. Thank you for that information. I've been wanting to upgrade him to the arcadia shadeweller uvb and the deep projecter one but I thought it was just a better quality bulb. I will definitely stay on top of all the websites to get those soon as it's in stock again.
Hi Jessica, another great video on an important aspect of husbandry.
I have experimented with various substrate materials over the years. I personally now use a combination.
Fridge liner (inspired by Your use of shelf liner). Fridge liner is food safe. non adhesive, nonslip and allows heat through. A sheet of this, cut to fit, goes across the bottom of the vivarium in one piece. It has a nice knobbly texture like lego. Makes it ideal for their little feet to grip without slip. The favourite toilet spot has kitchen towel on top of the liner to absorb the liquid portion of their fecal matter also allows the solids to stick to it too and be removed easily. The liner can be spot cleaned or taken out and washed. It is non-absorbent so dries off quickly.
Pieces of natural slate and small patio "cobble" stones make great basking spots. These go on top of the liner which protects the finish of the vivarium from scratches. The "cobble stones" are for creating patio areas in your garden, My Leos love them. I can create nice stepped areas as they are 20cmx10cmx5cm thick and heavy enough to stay put with no sharp edges.
I also provide Arcadia Earthmix Arid in ice cream tubs with a small hole in the short side, for digging and egg laying and doubles as a moist hide if kept moist too. In fact my girls prefer the Earthmix filled tubs to their expensive Exoterra caves for sleeping in lol. Keeping the substrate contained allows me to provide a nice deep layer that retains moisture and does not get flung all over during digging sprees.They use the expensive Exoterra caves as toilets lol. 1 litre ice cream tubs washed and dried after my partner has eaten all the ice cream make ideal sized hides and they stack nicely too. ( + they are made from food safe plastic ). Each viv also has assorted cork bark tubes and fake plants too. Nothing is fixed in place so I can remove anything or everything periodically for cleaning.
Food is always tong fed. That way I know who has eaten what when and how much and there is no danger of anything but the insect being ingested. I have seen Locusts and Crickets chew into the fake plants so I do not let any escapees remain free.
The worst substrate I have actually used has to be Repticarpet. I tried this when I first started keeping Leos. As soon as I saw their claws getting caught I removed it (poop just sticks too it and urates go into the fibres UGH!). 2nd worst substrate I have actually used is Ecoearth! (cocofibre). Awful stuff either in an arid or a moist setting. Dry it is VERY dusty. Fibres can be eaten too easily just from licking their lips after eating a tasty morsel. Moist it can easily and readily mould.
Never have and never will use Gravel.... really. That is for Aquariums. SAND! that is for Deserts!. Leos live do not live in deserts or gravel quarries. Their little feet are actually very soft soled. So no way would I use crushed walnut or chippings of wood etc. Wood can be sharp and pierce their skin, even shavings, personally would not even consider it.
Keep safe and well :0)
I highly recommend switching to half or full loose substrate. Dig boxes honestly don’t offer much enrichment compared to full or half loose
Thank you for this. I always wondered about the proper substrate for my leos. I do have the carpets . I run the sweeper on them and flip them over. Sometimes they do get caught on it. Im probably going to have my husband cut tile for them. I want to try it. My oldest leo is 4 she has a 40 gallon tank. My other 2 have a 10 gallon tank. They seem to be ok in it though. I use the moon blue moon night bulbs. I have it above tank and give them repti calcium.
Just some advice:
Night lights really aren’t good for them. Lights at night disrupt their day/night cycle, they need darkness at night.
Tile isn’t good as the whole substrate since it doesn’t offer any digging enrichment. You could do half tile half loose, though. Good options include zoo med’s reptisoil, a mix that’s 60% top/potting soil and 40% playsand (or a soil/sand/clay mix), Arcadia earth mix arid, or Terra Sahara from the bio dude.
10 gallons is way too small. The bare minimum is a 20 gallon long, and 40 gallons or bigger is strongly recommended. Also, are you saying you have two geckos housed together in a 10 gallon?
@@nightinggale6470 no they have their own tanks
@@phantomvampyressshadowkiss4690 ok, that’s good. But please, consider my advice.
@@nightinggale6470 im newer to this . I haven't seen my other 2 leos digging. I thought the nocturnal blue moon bulb was good for them . I dont trust heating mats
@@phantomvampyressshadowkiss4690
Yeah heat mats aren’t a good heat source. Night lights aren’t good for them either, though. The most natural and beneficial option is a halogen flood bulb connected to a dimmer/dimming thermostat (on during the day, off at night).
When given loose substrate your geckos might dig, they might not. It depends on the individual. But it’s still good to give them the opportunity to dig if they choose to, and loose is much more natural for them (plus full tile can be hard on their joints).
Do you have an opinion on Lugarti Natural Reptile Bedding? I use it for my Russian tortoise and really like it, but I can’t find much about it for Leopard Geckos and would appreciate any feedback you could have about it.
It’s a good substrate. It’d probably be cheaper to make your own mix, though.
@@nightinggale6470 Thank you, I’m thinking of making my own.
Any reservations to cardboard as non-loose? Can't find info on it. Thought would look more natural but worried might hold heat from heating pad. Not sure if any different than soil, and I'm also using above heat. Second question, if I decide to switch to loose substrate, is there risk of burn if gecko digs to bottom when using heating pad? Your advice is much appreciated!
I finally found something saying it's a safe substrate, for anyone else looking for this info. I live in a humid state and realized cardboard helped keep it down. I switched to eco earth + sand and it's slightly too humid now and dusty like you've mentioned, even mixed with sand. Going to try reptisoil soon but if it doesn't help with the humidity I may go back to cardboard + dig area
What’s the humidity getting to, and is your hygrometer digital or analog? Humidity in the range of 35-65% is ideal for leopard geckos. Cardboard is not a suitable substrate, and eco earth isn’t ideal either. Reptisoil is good. A soil/sand or soil/sand/clay mix is ideal. I’d also get rid of the heat mat entirely, all you need is a heat lamp.
Its a digital one. The eco earth + sand was reaching the high 40s on the hot side and over 60 on the cool side. But it must've not been fully dried because a month later it dropped to 10 and had to constantly spray tank. I've been highly contemplating removing the heat pad so I can use a better soil, just struggling with throwing away the money for the pad to spend more for the soil. But gotta do what I gotta do 🫠
9:44 I'm about 97% sure that is my new leopard gecko. I just got her today and that was an image from the rehoming post I got her from...
Yeah I used some images from CG to represent different substrate so it very well could be
@@JessicasAnimalFriends It was a very weird thing to stumble upon after getting home. Thanks for giving her a little slice of fame
Question? My turtle cage seems to get fruit flies or nats I change the substrate and use a fly trap thing but I’m curious if they can hurt my turtle?
They probably can’t. But you can ask Dan the Turtle Man! He’s a good friend & he would be much better at answering
@@JessicasAnimalFriends ok thank you!
@@JessicasAnimalFriends my stupid zoo med heat bulbs keep blowing out do you have any other bulbs that you recommend that will fit in the zoo med mini lamp?
I use eco earth with top soil and sand is this ok?
Yes, that’s fine. There’s no need for the eco earth though, I’d just use a top soil/sand mix.
@@nightinggale6470 Thx
I’m setting up my tank with tile and alittle section for my gecko to dig and I was gonna use eco earth as a digging area for it is the digging necessary? And if so what can I use instead of eco earth
Organic top soil!
I strongly recommend using either full loose substrate or half textured tile, half soil mix. A small dig area/dig box, while better than nothing, will offer nowhere near as much enrichment as half or full loose substrate.
Atm I'm using porridge oats, I've been told it's good but I'm not sure and I'm wondering what others think? Also other recommendations would be amazing
Oats are definitely not a suitable substrate for any reptile. A soil/playsand or soil/sand/clay mix is ideal for leopard geckos.
I am getting a gecko from a neighbor. They have it on carpet. I am looking to mix my own substrate without buying much extra. I intend on planting as well. Best option?
A top soil/playsand mix, more soil than sand. Mixing in some clay would be beneficial as well
Paper towel for the win
For quarantine? Yes. Long term? No, not really. It doesn’t offer any digging enrichment whatsoever. A soil/sand or soil/sand/clay mix is best.
I have a leopard gecko and we use the repti carpet. He does get his teeth stuck in the fibers. Can we use the cabinet liners over top of the heating pad? We were afraid it would melt it.
Yes you can, it would take more than 90 degrees to melt it
Two things:
1. I strongly recommend using a soil/sand or soil/sand/clay mix, digging enrichment is very beneficial for them.
2. Heat mats are not a good primary heat source, overhead heating is much better for them. A halogen flood bulb is the most natural and beneficial heat source, a deep heat projector is the second best option.
I just recently had got myself and my girlfriend one I now have 3 in a 55 gallon tank is sand okay like regular sand when I had bought the first one she had sand in her tank?? Or should I go to more wood chip vibe or the fake grass I honestly don’t know which one better for them
Please watch this whole video you commented on as you’ll find the best substrate option IMO. Also, please reconsider cohabbing your geckos. Watch my video called the dangers of cohabbing.
A mix that’s 60% top soil and 40% playsand (or soil/sand/clay) is ideal. And as already mentioned, please separate your geckos. They’re very likely to seriously injure or kill each other.
I'm slowly working towards getting a leopard gecko by mid next week! She is a White Knight morph and is about 5 years old. She was kept as a breeder and was overbred. The condition I saw her in instantly pulled at my heartstrings and I want to give her the world! She is currently severely underweight and possibly malnourished.
I currently have her substrate being ecoearth, but will soon be changing it to a much more suitable choice.
If anyone has any tips to give her more enrichment besides the base setup, please let me know!
I can mix eco earth with sand???? (In my country there is no reptisoil or terra Sahara or Josh’s frogs or thing like that) ):
Eco earth isn’t ideal. A soil/sand or soil/sand/clay mix is best :)
Hi there! I'm a new leopard Gecko owner, and i have a juvenile/adult leopard gecko. I'm using paper towels at the moment. I understand that my reptile needs enrichment. I'm thinking about using a loose substrate, what do you recommend?
New geckos should be quarantined on paper towel for the first three months to monitor their health. After quarantine, a mix that’s 60% manure-free potting soil and 40% washed silica-free playsand (or soil/sand/clay) is best.
@@nightinggale6470 Thanks a lot!
I have a 3 yr old Lep and have used calcium sand pretty much from the get go. I am finding out from your channel and others this might not be the best. I also think "if ain't broke don't fix it." What should I do ? Change out substrate?
It’s totally up to you, that’s the thing about Reptile keeping; everyone has different husbandry and preferences. You could swap it for a safer option like organic top soil and washed play sand
@@JessicasAnimalFriends Sounds good. Thanks for the speedy reply.
I strongly recommend switching to a soil/playsand or soil/sand/clay mix. Calcium sand is unnatural for them, dusty, can be hard on their joints, doesn’t retain humidity, and is potentially dangerous.
Is cypress mulch a good substrate for leopard geckos
I prefer soil & washed play sand.
Absolutely terrible. Commonly caused respiratory issues
Someone knows if the yellow exo terra sand is without colors??? (If it safe?) I want to mix it with reptisoil
As long as it isn’t calcium/vita sand and doesn’t have any artificial dyes (only natural colours) it should be fine to mix with Reptisoil :)
I hope someone will answer my question..what do you do with their poop with in enclosures as full as yours?
They almost always poop in one spot. Figure out where their chosen poop spot is (they often do it up off the ground but not always), then spot cleaning should be easy.
Where can I get top soil and play sand mix? Home Depot ?
Yep!
How long should you wait to put your juvenile leopard gecko on loose substrate?
A year imo!
New reptiles should be quarantined on paper towel at first (ideally for three months) to monitor their health. After this period, a soil mix is ideal. Young geckos will thrive on loose substrate as long as they’re healthy and their husbandry is correct.
What mix do you use?
A soil/playsand or soil/sand/clay mix is best :)
I use tile in 80% of her home and eco earth in the other 20%. She loves digging and does so daily. Never had a problem with her eating the eco hearth, the humidity is also perfect and she really only uses it to dig. I live in Canada and Eco Earth is just easily available, might check out another option but this has been her habitat for over 2 years now and she seems happy. A good use for paper towel is for their bathroom spot. Luckily mine only goes to the bathroom on the tile in her cold hide so I just place paper towel there and change it every day when she goes.
whats ur substrate that ur using ?
A combination of organic top soil and washed play sand
Is clay substrate Allright for leopard gecko's
Is topsoil and cocofiber a good mix? i hope someone answere
Coconut fibre is unnecessary. A top soil/playsand or soil/sand/clay mix is best.
Is wood chippings okay for leopard geckos?
No. A soil/sand or soil/sand/clay mix is best.
Would it be ok to use just plain topsoil for a leopard gecko?
Yes though you’ll want to Keep an eye on humidity
Would you suggest lightly misting the topsoil once weekly ? Just learning and setting up a 36x18x18 for a 6 week old leopard gecko
A soil/playsand (or, even better, a soil/sand/clay) mix would be ideal. It’d be more natural and hold burrows. Make sure humidity stays between 35-65%, measured by a digital hygrometer.
what is ure favorite for leopard geckos?
i just bought reptisoil for my pacman frogs 20 gallon and noticed there was a bunch of small sticks and small wooden chunks in it along with small rocks everywhere. definitely switching back to eco-earth.
The small rocks is actually charcoal
Is excavated clay good
It’s not ideal on its own because it hardens too much to offer much digging enrichment. Although a soil/sand/clay mix is excellent!
I mix coco fiber and play sand.
I used to do the same, although coconut fibre is not ideal. A soil/sand or soil/sand/clay mix is better.
My little Gecko will climb on my hand when I put my hand in her enclosure
i hear that playsand for kdis hav alot fo salt in it and is not good for them. is that true
Playsand is great as part of a mix with soil, not on its own. I’ve never heard of it having salt.
@@nightinggale6470 it was a petshop owner so prob tried sell theirs
Is gardening soil ok?
Depends. If it has fertilizer/manure, it shouldn’t be used.