Excavator Clay for Leopard Gecko?

DiscoPat · 01-10-13, 12:58 PM

I was wondering if this product would be good for a Leopard Gecko

Amazon.com: Zoo Med Excavator Clay Burrowing Substrate, 10 Pounds: Pet Supplies

I know they aren't burrowers but I was more thinking to use it to create a natural hide on one side of the enclosure. I heard it hardens to where it isn't a particle substrate.

I was wondering if it would work well because I figure it would give the gecko a more interesting landscape than paper towels or unprinted news paper.

Currently my Leopard Gecko is on paper towels in a 20 gallon.

beardeds4life · 01-10-13, 01:04 PM

YES! You cant do a bioactive with that but they will do very weel on that. Because it is very hard when they poop you can just use a shop vac to vacuum it up and the dust that they scratch up. Leopard Geckos actually do live in underground caves and tunnels. You can create those with this by filling up a ballon then making it into the shape you want (dont fill it up all the way) then put in the substrate. After everything is hardened pop the balloons and pull em out.

DiscoPat · 01-10-13, 01:54 PM

That is awesome, thank you. I will probably be ordering it within the next couple of weeks

BarelyBreathing · 01-10-13, 02:24 PM

I do NOT like Excavator Clay. If it gets wet (because of a water bowl, or even urine), it will stick to what ever is near it. Let's say your gecko walks through its water bowl and onto the substrate. Now it has excavator stuck on its feet, between the toes. This clay draws moisture into it, so it will draw the moisture from out of the skin, resulting in cracking skin, and if not caught soon enough, could result in an infection or lost limbs.

DiscoPat · 01-10-13, 02:32 PM

Does this happen even after it is completely dry? because if that is the case it is definitely something I would want to avoid.

BarelyBreathing · 01-10-13, 03:03 PM

Yes. When your animal is wet, the things it step on become wet.

DiscoPat · 01-10-13, 03:12 PM

Okay. I assumed it became more resistant to moisture after hardening. Dang it seemed like a cool concept.

Is there anything you would recommend to make the enclosure for my gecko more interesting for him? Currently there is 3 hides, the humid one is on the warm side of the enclosure.

If I were to add a small hill with slate rocks or something that would stack and be very stable would the gecko be likely to use it?

BarelyBreathing · 01-10-13, 03:22 PM

Have you considered a sand/soil mix for a bio-active enclosure?

DiscoPat · 01-10-13, 03:30 PM

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.

EmbraceCalamity · 01-10-13, 04:01 PM

Quote:

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

DiscoPat · 01-10-13, 04:27 PM

I got him a week ago and the pet store said about a month, the worker there really didn't seem to know. I plan to go back when there is a different worker who knows more. he has a food dish he eats out of so I wouldn't bee too worried about him ingesting substrate.

EmbraceCalamity · 01-10-13, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiscoPat

I got him a week ago and the pet store said about a month, the worker there really didn't seem to know. I plan to go back when there is a different worker who knows more. he has a food dish he eats out of so I wouldn't bee too worried about him ingesting substrate.

I'm sure we can tell you if you post a pic. BB definitely can.

If he eats out of a food dish, there's no need to be concerned. Though most people don't switch to loose substrate until they're a few months old - not sure why though. Maybe BB can shed some light on that.

~Maggot

DiscoPat · 01-10-13, 04:47 PM

Okay, I will upload a pic as soon as I get home. he is starting to become more active when I am in the room so getting a picture shouldn't be hard.

EmbraceCalamity · 01-10-13, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiscoPat

Okay, I will upload a pic as soon as I get home. he is starting to become more active when I am in the room so getting a picture shouldn't be hard.

Is this your first leo? I'm glad someone else has joined us. I got one for my birthday and now I'm obsessed.

~Maggot

BarelyBreathing · 01-10-13, 05:00 PM

Quote:

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.

Quote:

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.