What's the Best Substrate to Use for Leopard Geckos | Caring for Leopard Geckos

You may need to turn the volume up, my mic is a bit quiet.

DO NOT USE SAND OR WOOD CHIPPINGS!

Hope this has helped :)

Please note, I do not own the images in the video (only 2, one of ziggy and one of all my geckos).

[michaellocklear]

guys this is a very old video do mot use sand she says it in her other videos plz.... DO NOT USE SAND

[leopardgeckotalk]

@Alex it can be like 1 or 2 inches in the cold side, and maybe half an inch over the heat mat.

[michaelmartinson]

Thank you so much for this video. I've tried all the recommended substrates by American keepers; grass mat, desert mat, paper towels, etc (no sand). No matter what I did, my Leo seemed uneasy, agitated, and was constantly trying to look for a way out. I've been wanting to use eco-earth for a while, but was still unsure, as basically all American breeders/keepers advise against it. I can say since I've switched to eco-earth, not only does the enclosure look absolutely beautiful, but my Leo is now a plump happy little lady. She spends most of her day relaxing in whatever spot is appropriate to her, and burrowing and moving earth around to create her desired temperature gradients. I love it, she is happy, eats regularly, and is friendly now (she is not stressed!). Makes me feel so much better. Thank you again!

[krystastates]

I used sand for about a week, and my geckos tail was noticeably slimmer, and I noticed he wasn’t eating very many crickets, AND I wasn’t seeing very much poo. After watching this video I realized that he was most likely eating the sand (it’s calci-sand) and not getting the proteins he needed in his diet. I immediately took out the sand and replaced it with paper towels. I’m going to the pet store tomorrow to check for Eco Earth.

[roseyposey]

I got a pamphlet at petsmart about leopard geckos and all it talked about was using sand and it made me so mad. I explained to my mom that petsmart is lying to their customers and she looked at me like i was a complete idiot so I looked up pictures of geckos who had eaten sand and showed them to her. after that she believed me.

[zoeymoon]

thank you this is super helpful, i get so worried about impaction, i have my leopard gecko on the carpet, and i clean it every week. i will be switching over to the eco earth. i appreciate that there are people like you out there because you have helped me with my geckos care more than anyone else. theres only so much research you can do and still find useful things, its nice to hear it from someone who owns the pet and has for years. <3

[ashleighOliver]

I got money for my Christmas to get my own Leopard Geckos, Your channel has really helped a lot, definitely going to use the Eco Earth now! 

[imthatyeetedfetus]

it’s crazy how many supporters you have gained in just 5 years !!

[directioner-yrcv]

I had a full on 'friendly' argument with a petco employee because was talking about how good sand was and I argued it was not as good as she thinks. I brought up Eco earth and she said 'it's like sand because it can cause impaction' I was like um?? I mentioned many of your videos as evidence as to why Eco earth was safe and eventually just bit my tongue to prevent myself from saying anything bad. You have so many informational videos and I feel like I know so much about leopard geckos and how to care for them. The petsmart pamphlets say sand is ok, and one of the employees suggested it. But the employee I talked to at petsmart earlier today said the same things you did. I'm so glad I found your channel tbh

[serenastahr]

Thank you so much for making these videos they have answered all my questions

[thingnugget]

to get rid of the tiny bugs you freeze the echo earth in a closed bag

[InTheDangerZONE]

Vinyl flooring... heat mat sits under it nicely. Its easy cleaned. Just pop it out and back in again. Got off cut rolls of the stuff for free at carpet shops. Using it for years now.

[artfulgecko]

when you rescue two leos and have to do a crash course in leopard gecko care ( I have cresties lol) this was the first channel I came to!!!

[joelsosa]

Thank you for your help I will take good care of my leopard gecko

[bronco]

thanks for all the onfo on the substrates, you just saved my gecko from sand as i just switched him to ecoearth!

[bryancorona]

I agree I love Eco earth too!!! And yes sand does affect them badly bc they digest it which is bad. But when I use escavator clay for tunnels and hides in my design and just use Eco earth for the bottom

[fig]

I like how each of her geckos have like the same morph.

[memphishadley]

your the best guide about leopard geckos

[xWhatsTheProbX]

I use sand for my bearded dragon, and it's great. I suggest using a very fine sand that will easily pass through their digestive system if eaten. Never use calcium sand due to the fact that if your lizard is missing some nutrition in their diet, they will eat the sand, and it can cause a serious impaction problem. I have done research on leopard geckos, but I don't own one, so I don't know the effects or what they like. However, my friend has kept his leopard gecko on both reptile carpet and sand, and both seem to work well and his gecko is happy and healthy.

[tigerish]

Great video :) im going to get 2 female leopard geckos after my winter white hamster passes on and ive subed to your channel cause its really great and informational :) thank you for being on youtube :)