Excavator Clay for Leopard Gecko?

[EmbraceCalamity]

Originally Posted by DiscoPat

I always heard that leopard geckos don't do well on anything that is loose substrate but if I could that would be awesome. My gecko is still very young.

So would the standard 40% sand 60% eco earth work just as you usually recommend? Or is it different for leopard geckos?

If it is the same mixture would I be able to use soil from my savannah monitors enclosure? It is was dug up from untreated soil.

People are concerned about loose substrates because they're afraid they'll accidentally ingest it and become impacted. I frequent a gecko forum and have never heard of anyone's gecko becoming impacted on something that wasn't calcium sand. Even if they did ingest loose substrate (as long as it's not calcium sand), it wouldn't be much, and if their temps are right, they should be able to pass it without issue.

I use soil from the woods mixed with a little bit of sand, and my gecko does very well on it. Looks much more natural than carpet or paper towel. The sand/eco earth mixture would work well too though.

How old is your leo?

~Maggot

[BarelyBreathing]

Originally Posted by DiscoPat

I always heard that leopard geckos don't do well on anything that is loose substrate but if I could that would be awesome. My gecko is still very young.

So would the standard 40% sand 60% eco earth work just as you usually recommend? Or is it different for leopard geckos?

If it is the same mixture would I be able to use soil from my savannah monitors enclosure? It is was dug up from untreated soil.

I have most of my geckos on bio-active. I used to have them all on bio-active, but I took a few off to do a little experiment with testing substrate samples. I even have fresh hatchlings on bio-active.

I mix my leopard gecko substrate about 50/50, or I use dirt from my back yard, which is already hard packed and sandy.

Originally Posted by EmbraceCalamity

People are concerned about loose substrates because they're afraid they'll accidentally ingest it and become impacted. I frequent a gecko forum and have never heard of anyone's gecko becoming impacted on something that wasn't calcium sand. Even if they did ingest loose substrate (as long as it's not calcium sand), it wouldn't be much, and if their temps are right, they should be able to pass it without issue.

I use soil from the woods mixed with a little bit of sand, and my gecko does very well on it. Looks much more natural than carpet or paper towel. The sand/eco earth mixture would work well too though.

How old is your leo?

~Maggot

This.