unconvential "substrate"

[jay76]

Has anyone tried to use linoleum flooring in a leo enclosure? I ask because a flooring place here has remnants and ends etc on sale for like 1/2 off and since my mind was already in herp mode well it wasn't a far leap, if you know what I mean. I figure that they might have a hard time moving around on it, and it really isn't any easier to clean than changing newspaper, but I was curious if it's thought of or tried?

[Rebecca]

I don't think it would work for them because their feet would slip all the time, not being able to get a grip on it.

[eyespy]

If it has a slight texture to it, linoleum works fairly well, it's less slippery than ceramic tiles which are another popular unconventional substrate.

[Tim and Julie B]

It'll work just fine. There have been numerous threads about tile as a substrate, so it's not a far stretch. I know what you mean about:

since my mind was already in herp mode well it wasn't a far leap, if you know what I mean.

Every time I am in a store and I see bookcases, cabinets, display cases, etc...I envision reptile cages:D It's disturbing, but very entertaining!

Julie

[T.O-SK8TER]

I use lynolium, glued it done to the enclosure floor then I use astroturf as a substrate, otherwise stick with the newspaper!

[Icefire]

I use plain Ceramic tile (86cents for a foot square cdn)
they dont slip cuzz they attack crickets like hell ;P
so just use 100% silicone to glue it down, wont be toxic (marine silicone is best)

[T.O-SK8TER]

No its ok to use carpet and lynolium adhesive these days its non-toxic when its dry and works really well with a trawl, I don't see why people worry about there animals like this, when it comes to our homes these types of products are not in question.

[Alicewave]

Originally posted by eyespy
If it has a slight texture to it, linoleum works fairly well, it's less slippery than ceramic tiles which are another popular unconventional substrate.

There are lots of ceramic tiles that don't have that smooth shiny texture. Leo claws grip really well on these types. I use ceramic tyle but it's not the same as your typical bathroom tile. Look in my gallery towards the end for some pictures of what I use. Better than most types of Linoleum I think. Plus Leos love to bask on the ceramic tile that's heated with a lamp.

[jay76]

Thanks. There's more pros than I first thought :)

Why glue it down though? Would it not be easier to clean if you could remove it from the tank and hit it with bleach & water?

[Alicewave]

I agree. I wouldn't glue it down. Especially if you go with tile, it's heavy enough that there is no need.

[damzookeeper]

I used unglued lanoyium for my geckos for a couple years. It worked great. I got an earthy looking one and it had texture to it so they did not slip. The only disadvantage about not glueing it down was that it HAD to be pulled out ever week because some fecus and some mealworms and crickets escaped under it and made it impossible to clean thouroughly with out pulling it all out.
I think it looked much nicer than news print or paper towel though, but you might want to put papertowel where they deficate for easy clean up. :) tile also works great, and you can get some that has a texture that you can peel and stick as well, not as heavy as the ceramic tyle and looks just as nice. ;) Also thiner for under tank heating.

[Alicewave]

I suppose if you glued in down and then siliconed the edge that would work nicely. Then you'd never need to take it out and clean it, just clean the whole enclosure. Hmmm....

[jay76]

Interesting... Maybe I was assuming all the feces would be kind of stuck to the tile. That's an intriguing idea...