leopard gecko substrate

Question
I am getting a leopard gecko in a few weeks and have researched a lot about them.  The only thing that i'm scared about is the substrate, i really want to use a loose substrate, but i don't want it to harm my pet.  I know that calcium sand or that vita-sand stuff is junk so i don't want that but i was thinking about ground english walnut shells or coco fiber until i heard bad stuff about it to.. I really need help so i can have a nice and safe looking cage for my leo.      thank you

Answer
Tim,

Thank you for your question and I would be delighted to lend my opinion on this topic. Now, it is true that most reptiles benefit the most from having a solid lining for substrate for a number of reasons.

1- Igestion. Particles acting as substrates are easily ingested by lizards who flick their tongues to activate their sense of smell. Particles being ingested can cause internal issues in the digestive tracts.
2- Cleanliness. It is harder to keep a terrarium clean when you have particle that can absorb and trap moisture because they can also harbor the production of dangerous bacteria and it is generally harder to clean with particles than just removing a towel, a newspaper, etc. and replacing with a new, clean one.
3- Eye Problems. Reptiles can get eye infections from particles lodged in their eyes, I get emails about it all the time.

The benefits for using particle substrates

1- Humidity. It is easier to keep humidity levels up with particles because they can trap moisture (being that you have a desert species, this would not be something you should care about
2- Gives a place to dig. Gravid females dig to lay their eggs.

Now that you know the pros and cons of using a particle-based substrate, it is your decision to make on what you should or shouldn't use. You will want to keep in mind where the species is native to and what type of environment it would exist in in the wild. The Leopard Gecko is a desert species and therefore, as much as people want to say sand is bad, sand creates the most natural setup, and you can buy playground sand from any hardware store. Also, Rocks and logs can make the terrarium more natural looking and they provide your lizard with places to climb and get exercise. A hide box is also recommended for use to seek refuge and for sleeping.

If I were setting up a terrarium for a Leopard Gecko, I would try to closely imitate the desert and probably would go with a shallow layer of sand.

Thank You and please follow up with any further questions,

Sara J Gwerder
President
Raptor Rescue Iguana Sanctuary
Shreveport, LA
www.RaptorRescue.org

Good Diet + UVB Radiation + Proper Temperatures + Set Daily Schedule = Healthy + Happy Reptile