Leopard Gecko Substrate Options (2023)

FAQs

Is sand or dirt better for leopard geckos? ›

Sand is considered unsafe by some, due to the risk of ingestion and impaction (either due to accidental ingestion or intentional ingestion to meet calcium needs). Sand ingestion is a bigger risk for juveniles, so sand is not usually recommended to be used with juvenile geckos.

Anything that doesn't have fertilizer or those little styrofoam bits or vermiculite is fine, assuming that soil is a good substrate for the particular reptile. I like to use peat moss as a substrate personally.

Tiles are an excellent choice if you want something that's easy, hygienic and natural looking. My leopard gecko seems to like it.

You can create your own substrate mix for Leopard Geckos using a mix of 40% organic topsoil, 40% sand, and 40% excavator clay. Saturate the mixture and mix well. Add to the enclosure and allow it to dry before reintroducing the animal to avoid illnesses related to high humidity.

Dry environment: leopard geckos need a relatively dry environment. Measure the humidity at the cool end of the tank with a hygrometer - it should be between 30 and 40%. Ultraviolet light: your gecko will need low levels of ultraviolet light.

Good leopard gecko substrates:

Pack these substrates at least 3″ deep to facilitate natural burrowing behavior.

If you're keeping your gecko on a paper towel substrate, you'll need to take those out and replace them at least once a week; more often if they get soiled or shredded.

Newspaper or Paper Towel

Newspaper is a simple, cheap and safe leopard gecko substrate. It is widely used for many types of geckos and is especially handy for juveniles who create a lot of waste and have higher risks of impaction. Two layers of paper towel or newspaper should be laid down in a tank.

Can leopard geckos eat these? Komodo Jelly Pots Fruit are suitable for leopard geckos.

Most people don't know though, that it's 100% safe to use live plants in your leopard gecko habitat. In fact, live plants can really be a good choice if you choose safe plants that mimic your gecko's natural environment in the best way possible.

Can you use aquarium gravel for leopard geckos? ›

The best substrates to use are paper, newspaper, paper towel, slate or tile. It is also important not to use sand, aquarium gravel, walnut shells or calcium sand as these can be fatal if they are caught in the gecko's digestive tract.

Yes, leopard geckos need misting occasionally to help keep them hydrated and aid shedding. Misting also increases the humidity and moisture levels in the habitat to ease arduous shedding. Misting devices are also available in both a manual and an automatic system.

The substrate for house geckos should be something that retains moisture, such as reptile bark or Eco Earth. House geckos need a moderate to high humidity level; aim for 60-75 percent. Use a humidity gauge to make sure levels are correct.

You may use either artificial or live plants, as gecko's do not eat vegetables, but make sure to get plants that are not poisonous to geckos and be aware that they may increase the humidity levels in the tank. Rocks are a great way to imitate the landscape of your Leopard Gecko's natural habitat.

The non-stick coating used in many cooking pans is made of a substance called Teflon, which geckos cannot stick to. Teflon has a surface rich with fluorine atoms, which do not have an attraction to the spatulae of a gecko.

Substrates like sand, gravel, carpet, moss, and even newspapers make for great reptile tank bottoms. You could also use coconut fibers or soil as your reptile tank substrates.

For instance, leopard geckos don't need a heat lamp but they do need a heat source of some kind so they will appreciate a heat lamp if nothing else is used to give them a temperature gradient. Some geckos, like day geckos, will prefer a heat lamp over a heat mat or heating pad.

Do Leopard Geckos Need Plants In Their Tank? Leos do not require any plants in their tanks, living or fake.

Your Leopard Gecko will need 3 hides/houses. One on the hot side of his tank, one in the middle that will act as his humidity hide (this is helpful when shedding), and one on the cold side of the tank. The humid hide should be fairly enclosed and have moist paper towel (when shedding) or coco fiber for substrate.

Bioactive vivarium tips for leopard geckos

Use halved ceramic flower pots mostly buried in the substrate. Your gecko will excavate under these, and create their own humid hide. As the water seeps up from underneath, it creates a slightly cooler, damper microclimate under the pot.

What is the minimum size tank for 2 leopard geckos? ›

As the reptile hobby comes to understand our beloved reptiles better, we are realizing that they need more room than we have been giving them in the past. For these reasons, ReptiFiles recommends that adult leopard geckos be housed in no smaller than a 36″ x 18″ x 18″ enclosure with at least 4.5 sq ft of floor space.

From plants to bridges and signs and other fun decorations, your gecko's tank will need some clutter to make your pet feel sheltered and safe.

Captive hornworms will be a blue/aqua color, and wild hornworms will be bright green. Leopard Geckos should also not consume dead, dried, or processed foods regularly. Leopard Geckos are designed to eat fresh, live prey. Insects that are dead, dried, cooked, frozen, or processed lose some of their nutritional value.

Water Recommendations for Leopard Geckos

Offer fresh water daily in a water dish large enough for the lizard to soak its entire body in. Additional soaks in shallow warm water for 15-20 minutes 2-3 times a week are helpful, especially during a shed.

When maintaining your Leopard Gecko, a light mist daily is recommended to provide hydration opportunities as well as light humidity spikes. Dew drops are readily drank by this species and will appreciate a light misting daily.

Leopard geckos need calcium and insects are a poor source. An artificial source of calcium and vitamin D3 must be provided to the leopard gecko to ensure its continued health. This is done by “gut loading” the insects with calcium, vitamin D3, and other nutrients.

Every gecko is different, but most people recommend for the best taming result to handle them at the least 15 minutes every day once they wake up. Though if you notice this stresses your gecko out then you should lower the times you handle and play with your leo.

Calcium is an essential mineral for many metabolic processes, and for ensuring good bone density. In their natural surroundings, leopard geckos can lick mineral deposits and salts if they need extra calcium. In a terrarium setting, you can put a dish with powdered calcium to make up for the lack of a natural source.

What food is toxic to Leopard Geckos? Bugs that light up are toxic to Leopard Geckos: The most harmful insects are bugs that light up (like Lightning Bugs and Fireflies). These bugs contain chemicals which are extremely toxic to geckos and should never be used as a food source.

Be careful as reptiles can carry Salmonella. Wash your hands before and after handling the gecko or its equipment to reduce the spread of infection between you and the lizard and other animals.

Can you give leopard geckos tap water? ›

The takeaway is: Tap water, when treated using one of the water treatment techniques we've mentioned, should be perfectly safe for your leopard gecko.

Leopard geckos are insectivores, meaning they only eat bugs. Their bodies aren't even designed to digest fruits, vegetables, or any other kind of meat. Just insects.

I decided to research a variety of non-toxic plants that reptiles can safely be around. Suggested safe plants for reptiles: African Violet (Saintpaulia) Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Leopard Geckos are ground-dwelling, but will utilize rocks and stout driftwood.

Can I Put Rocks from Outside in My Leopard Gecko Tank? Yes, you can do this, provided you are able to procure the rocks legally, clean and sanitize them, and verify they do not have any sharp edges which could harm the leopard gecko.

Baby Leopard Geckos should be fed 5-7 small crickets or mealworms every day until they reach about 4 inches. Larger food should be offered every other day until they become full grown in about 10-12 months. Adults can be fed 6-7 large crickets or mealworms 2 to 3 times a week.

These colorful creatures are small, have minimal care requirements, and can be left alone for several days if necessary. They are also quiet, don't smell, and don't need a lot of attention.

#1 Best Overall: Exo Terra Reptile Water Dish

Thanks to its safety steps, insects, smaller reptiles, and amphibians can simply climb out without drowning. Larger reptiles cannot easily topple the Exo Terra Reptile Water Dish due to its stability.

Whether it be a fine-particle sand or calcium-based, sand is a common substrate that is sold for leopard geckos and other desert reptiles. The mentality behind it is that because leopard geckos are native to deserts, they should be housed on sand, but most deserts are not filled with loose sand.

You can create your own substrate mix for Leopard Geckos using a mix of 40% organic topsoil, 40% sand, and 40% excavator clay. Saturate the mixture and mix well. Add to the enclosure and allow it to dry before reintroducing the animal to avoid illnesses related to high humidity.

How many inches of substrate do leopard geckos need? ›

The manufacturer suggests using an entire 40 pound bag for a 24 x 30 inch terrarium. This means that the substrate will be about 6 inches deep to start with. No other material is needed on the bottom of the tank if this much mix is used. Adding a bag of sphagnum moss and mixing it in is also recommended.

If you're not using a loose substrate, keeping a dig box in the enclosure, separate from its eating area, will allow your leopard gecko to engage his natural burrowing instincts while drastically reducing the impaction risk. Don't utilize a dig box in a juvenile's enclosure.

The best substrates to use are paper, newspaper, paper towel, slate or tile. It is also important not to use sand, aquarium gravel, walnut shells or calcium sand as these can be fatal if they are caught in the gecko's digestive tract. Pine and cedar shavings are toxic to reptiles and should not be used.

Can I keep a gecko in a 10 gallon tank? In short, yes some species of gecko can thrive in a sufficiently equipped 10-gallon tank. Some smaller species of gecko can even be kept in enclosures smaller than 10 gallons. A 10 gallon tank would be considered a healthy minimize size for an adult leopard gecko, for instance.

Leos are ground geckos and prefer long, relatively shallow tanks, giving them a lot of floor space. Avoid tall and narrow tanks such as those commonly used for chameleons or other tree-dwelling species.

It's a good idea to spot-clean your leopard gecko's substrate daily and replace their substrate entirely every 3-6 months.

Newspaper or Paper Towel

Newspaper is a simple, cheap and safe leopard gecko substrate. It is widely used for many types of geckos and is especially handy for juveniles who create a lot of waste and have higher risks of impaction. Two layers of paper towel or newspaper should be laid down in a tank.