And yet another...

[sirtalis]

A third Leopard gecko has been added to my humble collection, this little guy was from craigslist, i'm probably going to create a massive bioactive desert enclosure (90 gallon) once I have quaranteined this guy no idea on the morph but I like the way he looks. Ill also include pics of the other leopards for the heck of it. The normal looking one is Rango. The patternless one is Toothless/Sander, never received an official name, and this guy is nameless, I'm thinking he's a amelanistic, but im not sure. (Fyi he's in quarantein so fear not, he was only with the other guys for a few min)34866

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Now all I need is one of those pure white leos diablo blanco?

[EL Ziggy]

All very nice Leos. I like the enclosure too. Congrats on the new addition but unfortunately your QT has been compromised.

[Minkness]

As pretty as that set up, sand is bad. Also, males shouldn't be kept together. Thirdly, there's hardly a point in quarintine after you put him in a communal tank with any others, they are then contaminated. ESPECIALLY sand since you can't sanitize every little grain. =/

[sirtalis]

Lol I know, I screwed my quarantine but contrary to pet store belief, sand is one of the best substrates if.... and only if proper temps are given and proper humidity, in all honesty they should bask closer to 110-120 f most people give them a 90-95 hot side, not a basking spot, a basking spot gives a site specific hot area. I have used sand dirt mulch and never had a problem and here's why, imagine your eating saltine crackers. You I'll reach a point where you have to drink water or you can't keep swallowing, sand compaction usually occur due to low humidity and temps, if the reptile gas slowly dehydrated over say 2-3 years it won't be able to send the sand though its system. Pet store sand sucks (actually all pet store supplies suck in general) but play sand is a amazing substrate that so many people over look, it can hold borrows heat humidity etc. Oh and most people keep their animals way below optimum temps, I used my temp gun for fun the other day and caught and anole basking on a 150 f piece of metal *shrug* I also caught a rattler on a 188 f rock out in the pure Sun

[poison123]

I agree with that man ^^

[poison123]

Its still being spread around that sand is bad for alot of herps? I thought those days were gone. A healthy and well hydrated animal will pass sand with no problem. Though my substrate for a leo would be much deaper and able to hold burrows for moister. I also agree with offering higher basking temps with the option to use lower if the animal chooses.

[poison123]

I never did find play sand to be a good substrate to hold long term burrows though. At least not play sand alone. Mixed with top soil or some other soil and youre good but play sand alone would likely collapse.

[sirtalis]

If you get it wet enough it will hold a *very fragile* burrow, before this cage I had them in soil filled bioactive enclosure but I had to put them in this temporarily due to a slug problem.

[sirtalis]

Here was their previous enclosure, high humidity and high heat will do wonders, in all honesty they dont even act like those round sausages that most people call leopard geckos
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[Aaron_S]

Its still being spread around that sand is bad for alot of herps? I thought those days were gone. A healthy and well hydrated animal will pass sand with no problem. Though my substrate for a leo would be much deaper and able to hold burrows for moister. I also agree with offering higher basking temps with the option to use lower if the animal chooses.

Honestly, sand is best to stay away from for new keepers. Most new keepers get bad advice on temps and the like.

Yes it's best to educate but I find most people can't handle all the information given at one point. So just the starter info is best.

[poison123]

Honestly, sand is best to stay away from for new keepers. Most new keepers get bad advice on temps and the like.

Yes it's best to educate but I find most people can't handle all the information given at one point. So just the starter info is best.
Good point.

[sirtalis]

Honestly, sand is best to stay away from for new keepers. Most new keepers get bad advice on temps and the like.

Yes it's best to educate but I find most people can't handle all the information given at one point. So just the starter info is best.

I see what you mean, but still I rather see more people switching to natural cages

[Aaron_S]

I see what you mean, but still I rather see more people switching to natural cages

By all means keep posting pics and educating!

For new people, well most, I don't suggest sand is all.

[sirtalis]

I totally see what you mean, and I totally agree, I mean when I first got my leopard geckos I kept them on the carpet, which was easy and didn't look bad at all

[macandchz]

good luck with the newbie. he's a cute one!