Getting a Leopard Gecko

[darkcirca]

I totally understand your reasoning. I have had a gecko die of impaction as well., it was a young gecko I purchased from a petco. She came to me that way.
i am very cautious with them. Slate is a good substrate, i personally do not like Repti Carpet I have seen problems with that in the past as well.
I have seen a soil, sand mixture that someone used with live plants. it looked really nice. After having geckos after awhile, I found they like to dig around in their substrate. Some have made their own hides underneath a piece of drift wood in the tank.

I give mine a container with vermiculite and moss (moist hide), they can dig and lay eggs in there and I don't have as high of a risk of impaction. I'd just recommend a non-loose substrate until the gecko is over a year, then you can change if you are set on it, thus not risking the baby gecko.
Just my suggestion. I care too much for my geckos now to take the risk.

 

[tricksterpup]

I give mine a container with vermiculite and moss (moist hide), they can dig and lay eggs in there and I don't have as high of a risk of impaction. I'd just recommend a non-loose substrate until the gecko is over a year, then you can change if you are set on it, thus not risking the baby gecko.
Just my suggestion. I care too much for my geckos now to take the risk.

And this is something we both agree on. I have never stated other wise in any of my posts. Another thing to try in a container and I do use this for my bearded dragons as well is organic soil and sand. Its moist and it is also loose enough for them to dig around and also lay their eggs.

 

[legendaryfrog]

I have heard of many geckos dying from impaction from all types of substrates, including soil. The best substrate, IMO, is no substrate. Slate tiles, driftwood, and plastic or potted live plants are the best leopard gecko tank decor.

 

[darkcirca]

I have heard of many geckos dying from impaction from all types of substrates, including soil. The best substrate, IMO, is no substrate. Slate tiles, driftwood, and plastic or potted live plants are the best leopard gecko tank decor.

A lot do. But with gravid geckos due to lay you need something moist and loose, like vermiculite or perlite, as otherwise the gecko may just lay the eggs in the water dish. Only thing that sucks is they make a disaster everywhere. Mine tend to dig everything out and leave it all over the tank during the week of a lay.