Substrate

Hi there everyone!
I was just wondering if anyone can tell me if you can use bark and or wood shavings? And is this a good buy for £90???

http://www.gumtree.com/p/pets/gecko-dragon-vivarium-for-sale/81937192

Thanks
Jess :)

I can't tell you if that's a good price or not because in Canada things are priced differently. I can tell you though that Leos should not be kept on bark or wood shavings. Honestly the best substrate is ceramic tile or vinyl tile. Something that they cannot ingest. I am sure they do not appreciate trying to poop out a piece of wood shavings. Ouch!

Its an okay price considering everything you get with it. But obviously there is no need for the lights in the picture.

I would say it's a good price for what you get, it's a little wasted height though for what you'll be putting in it. The wood substrate is not good for the geckos, so that'd be needing to be replaced and same on the simple fact that even though the person says it's never had anything it's just safer to change substrate and deep clean it.

Well I am from the US but getting wood shavings and a little bit of sand should be good. But the price from the Website you are considering is a little high. So i would go with the mixture.

You should never, ever, put leo's on sand. Loose substrate at all is very good to avoid and never waste money on.

i understand that they can ingest loose substrates, but as of creating the 'real-life' environment for them, surely they will come across such loose substrates as sand in their natural habitat? i've read that they live in rocky areas, so a mixture of little sandy areas, along with at least 50% rocky terrain within a viv, could this be an ideal solution to reducing the risk of ingestion whilst maintaining the natural look?
i myself am planning to replace the sand as soon as possible, but would like to keep the look in which i have created so far :/
i've been involved in many debates about substrates for them before and the end result was always 'do not put them on sand', so, i'd like to hear this forums opinion (:

We really recommend no sand, just because impaction is a death sentence 90% of the time. Like you said, their on rocky terrain and most sources online will tell you "desert conditions habitat", but those same sources tell you that Leo's are nocturnal when their actually crepuscular. They live in rocky, dry/arid grasslands, and so sand is out of the question in the "natural" set up.

Its true that they may come across sand in there natural environment. Its true they might come across natural loose substrate which can easily ingested.

And have you seen a wild caught leopard gecko? They normally HAVE ingested it, they normally are impacted, skinny, and not too healthy. So when they are captive bred, its best not to recreate this natural lifestyle, but only there necessities

glad that ones cleared up then, i should really do a little research on their natural habitats, i'd like to see photo's of them in the wild (:
and i will be removing the sand upon completion of my new viv, and creating a nice rocky base for them using the styrofoam technique.
how come all pet shops ive been in use sand as the substrate for the leo's, and usually include it within a starter kit?

also, please could you explain crepuscular? lol

Crepuscular simply means active during dawn and dusk hours; just like nocturnal is during the night, and diurnal is during the day. The majority of the mass market reptile industry is mislead; they still think heat lamps are good for ball pythons.

[quote="lukeh1992"]glad that ones cleared up then, i should really do a little research on their natural habitats, i'd like to see photo's of them in the wild (:
and i will be removing the sand upon completion of my new viv, and creating a nice rocky base for them using the styrofoam technique."

Styrofoam is not the best flooring for a naturalistic enclosure I found this out the hard way. The heat does not pass through the styrofoam...

I'm pretty sure I included a really good link in the housing sticky from the national geological society (or some group like that) explaining everything from temps thru the year to humidity and terraine. They are from packed earth deserts and live in the midlevel rocky region so tey live in rocky craigs and crevaces. Minimal exposure to loose substrait except for wen they hunt. Obviously you go where the food is nartural stone tile or vinyl simulated slate (as long as its HIGH END tiles) would simulate their natural habitat moreso than sand or any mix of loose substrait.
Hope that helps

thanks for the info guys and sorry for invading the topic jessmonster!

i have removed the sand already and am using kitchen roll for now, i love watching them both investigate the new layout and crawling over and under everything imaginable!