Leopard geckos are one of the most popular pet reptiles in the world, and for good reason. They’re adorable, interactive, and easy to care for. But no matter how much you love your leopard gecko, it’s important to make sure they have the right environment. The substrate you choose has a lot to do with the health and happiness of your pet.
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In this article, we’ll discuss some different leopard gecko substrate options available, including special terrarium floor liner, sand, paper towels and other options. We’ll talk about the pros and cons of each option, so you can make an informed decision about what’s best for your pet. And we’ll discuss the importance of using the correct substrate for your leopard gecko—it’s more than just aesthetics!
So, let’s find out what is the best substrate for leopard geckos!
First things first: what is substrate?
Substrate is basically what makes up the bottom layer of your terrarium.
Keeping your leopard gecko’s habitat clean and comfortable is a significant part of keeping them happy and healthy. The substrate—the material in the bottom of their tank used for walking, laying on, and waste disposal—plays a key role! You should look for substrates that are safe to eat off of or lay on without causing skin irritation. Plus, it helps if they’re easy to maintain; reducing messes while also lessening required upkeep time (and cost!).
A clean, safe leopard gecko substrate is a must for the happy and healthy reptile. It can be tempting to cut corners on cost or maintenance when selecting one—but do keep in mind that this material will need regular cleaning and/or replacing.
Before talking about the best substrate for leopard geckos, let’s get one thing out of the way—SAND.
Why is sand not a good leopard gecko substrate?
Sand is a probably the first substrate option to spring to mind to new leopard gecko owners. People very often think that these creatures come from a sandy desert environment, which is why desert sand sounds like the logical choice for a substrate.
The truth is that leopard geckos may come from a desert-like environment, but their habitat is actually quite different from what one might expect. Rather than sand, their natural home consists of rocky terrain found in Asian deserts and grasslands, with hard soil that includes some sandy components for good measure.
Therefore, it is a controversial option. Why is that? It is believed that it may cause something called sand impaction.
Leopard geckos have very delicate digestive systems and are vulnerable to impaction when given sand or other fine substrates as a flooring choice in their enclosure. Impaction occurs when small, indigestible particles accumulate and block the intestines, which can potentially require medical intervention to correct.
Impaction usually occurs as a result of your gecko chasing crickets and accidentally ingesting sand, when hunting.
What substrate is best for leopard geckos?
Reptile owners have more choices than ever before when it comes to substrate options for their terrariums. From special liners designed specifically for this purpose, to natural substances or simply stones—each has its own unique advantages and drawbacks that every owner should be aware of in order to make the best decision possible. Let’s take a look at some of these popular alternatives:
1. Terrarium floor liners
Zilla’s Terrarium Floor Liner is a great way to ensure your leopard gecko is safe and comfortable in their new home. The luxurious, absorbent carpet comes in either green or brown, so you can give them a cozy spot that looks great too. Cleaning up is simple; just rinse with cold tap water and reuse. Plus it smells better as well thanks to its biodegradable enzyme treatment which reduces odors from reptiles.
2. Natural millet substrate for leopard geckos
XYZReptiles’ leopard gecko substrate is the perfect choice for keeping your reptile pets happy and healthy. It’s a 100% pure, natural product that won’t cause any allergies or dust-induced issues — plus it clumps when in contact with pet urine, allowing you to quickly clean up like using a litter box. This millet substrates come in both white and red options; whichever best fits your needs so you can keep your gecko comfy all year round.
3. Using paper towels as leopard gecko substrate
Keeping your leopard gecko’s habitat clean and safe is a breeze with paper towels.
Paper towels provide a safe and effective leopard gecko substrate due to their soft texture, easy replaceability when soiled, and the lack of risk associated with ingestion or impaction. Although they may not present in an aesthetically pleasing manner, paper towels are considered one of the best substrates from a health and safety perspective.
Despite the fact that paper towels are not a natural substrate and lack burrowing qualities, individual geckos may still find them to be perfectly suitable. Therefore, it is important to consider your own gecko’s preferences when selecting bedding materials—whether they prefer to bury themselves in sand or satisfy their needs with solid surfaces.
4. Newspapers
For those looking for an affordable, safe option when housing their baby geckos, newspaper proves to be a popular choice. Although it must be replaced daily to ensure hygiene and prevent infection, this is easily done as paper can be found almost anywhere and makes the cost of keeping your pet lower than other substrates. And since it cannot be ingested by lizards like sand sometimes can – it’s also much safer.
5. Using stones and slate as leopard gecko substrate
You can enhance the natural look of your habitat with slate or stones for basking spots and hiding areas. However, to make maintenance easier, opt for a second substrate—such as reptile carpeting or paper towels—for an all-encompassing solution.
Pro tip: Use a large slate slab as a feeding area and wipe it with a dry paper towel before feeding your gecko to remove any dust or loose fibers (from a reptile carpet). This will give you 100% impaction free feeding experience, especially if you are feeding your leopard gecko worms.
6. Artificial grass
Artificial grass is becoming a popular leopard gecko substrate option, as it is often cheaper and widely available. Since leopard geckos are primarily terrestrial lizards, artificial grass can provide them with enough traction to explore their terrarium safely. Artificial grass could be a suitable substrate for leopard geckos, as some owners report that it is comfortable and easy to clean. However, it can also bring some risks of impaction due to swallowed synthetic fibers. If you choose this substrate, make sure you check the material for any unexpected sharp edges or loose fibers.
What should you not use as a leopard gecko substrate
Wood chips, walnut shells and bark are particularly poor substrate options as they can easily get stuck in delicate skin cuts or scratches. Wood chips, for example, can be ground up to small granules and enter the delicate skin of the animal, causing irritation or injury. Likewise, walnut shells may carry bacteria from the shell itself, leaving leopard geckos vulnerable to infection from the contaminated substrate. Lastly, bark is not a suitable option either because of its tendency to become powdery when disturbed and cause respiratory distress in leopard geckos.
To wrap up
There are many leopard gecko substrate options available, and it can be overwhelming to pick one. The most important thing to remember is that the substrate should be comfortable and safe for your gecko. Aesthetics should never take precedence over comfort and safety.
If you’re looking for a safe, easy-to-clean option, paper towels are a good choice. If you want something a little prettier, terrarium floor linings are relatively safe.
Sand is a controversial choice and is not generally recommended, however rocky gravel which mimics the gecko’s natural habitat should be okay.
What substrate do you use for your gecko?