Leopard gecko sand debate? What's your opinion?

Question

I have 3 Leos, and I'm well aware of what most people think of the big sand, loose material, etc debate. What's your opinion on it? I use reptile carpet and paper towels.

Answer 1

leo's do not need calci-sand its just a way to get your money just use what your using and get there food coted in calcium and you should be fine.

Answer 2

My daughter volunteers at a local reptile rescue center and we have adopted a bearded dragon and 2 leopard geckos.  I don't trust sand, but I also wouldn't use the repti-carpet.  One of our geckos only has 1 claw left, because he was kept on repti-carpet before we got him and he used to get his claws stuck in the carpet and pull them out!!  I can only imagine how painful that must have been :(

The herpetologist that owns the place told us that happens alot.  I use Ground English Walnut Shells for all 3 of my lizards.  It is small like sand, but totally digestible.  

Answer 3

Well I got my leopard gecko, she's 2 years old from a previous owner. And they had her on that black reptile sand. And she was fine... I'm not saying sand is good- But it wasn't a factor for her.

I do have her on paper towel because I would feel bad if she died and I knew sand was bad.  

Answer 4

I'm personally not a big sand fan for leopard geckos. Last time I used sand for a leopard gecko, her gut became impacted with sand and killed her.  

Answer 5

I would never use sand; I care about my gecko too much. Sand has caused impaction in many, many cases, so prefer not to risk it and I use Repticarpet and also a piece of vinyl flooring occasionally.

Answer 6

dont use sand because it clogs up there digestive system. what your using now is fine.

Answer 7

I would try not to risk using sand  

Answer 8

I would never use sand for a leo. Most people tend to think that desert = sand but it is not this way. The ice lands are deserts, and there is no sand in it.

If you look at the natural habitat of a leopard gecko, it is compacted dirt, clay and rocks. There is very little loose dirt, so when the lizard jumps after a meal or decides to l**k the floor, it does not swallow a mouthful of dust.

That is the fact why leopards become impacted and eventually die off in the hands of people looking to please themselves with the great aesthetics. If you really want a cool looking cage, tile will do the job just fine, no sand for leos.

Answer 9

I think you shouldn't use loose substrate, i use reptile carpet.

Answer 10

I think paper towls ar fine

Answer 11

I would for sure use calci sand I had a leopard gecko and he died from accidently eating the kind of bedding i had in there when he was eating and he got like all impacted and died i felt so badd! now i got 2 leopard geckos for about 3 years on calci sand they do great on it and they do end up swallowing some. I also have calci sand in my tortoises tank and bearded dragons tank. Never had a problem with it! I would never put them on anything but that!