| When you're trying to give a leopard gecko a home | | | | consideration: |
| in captivity where it'll be happy and healthy, the | | | | 1. Slate Tile |
| starting point should of course always be to think | | | | A slate tile in the bottom of you leo's terrarium looks |
| about its habitat in the wild. In the wild, the leopard | | | | good, is very easy to clean, and approximates a |
| geckos habitat is the desert areas of Afghanistan, | | | | rocky habitat in the wild pretty well. If you want to, |
| India and Pakistan. | | | | buy a selection of smaller tiles in different colors and |
| Does this mean that every leopard gecko terrarium | | | | patterns and mix-n-match them to create a more |
| should contain sand? Well, no. A common mistake | | | | interesting visual. Add fake rock features and plants |
| that people make is to hear that these geckos live in | | | | for an even more authentic look. |
| desert regions in the wild and to think "desert = sand. | | | | 2. The 'Full Natural' |
| It's hard to shake the visual association of the word | | | | For those with the time and the will, the five-star |
| 'desert' with 'endless shifting sand dunes,' but the fact | | | | habitat option for leopard gecko owners is something |
| is that only about 20% of the areas of the world | | | | that truly replicates the leo's home in the wild. Start |
| that are classified as deserts are covered in sand. | | | | with a large tank, at least 20 gallons (ideally 40 |
| 'Desert' means 'dry,' but it does not necessarily mean | | | | gallons) for one leopard gecko - this is necessary, as |
| 'sandy,' and the desert areas where leopard geckos | | | | creating a natural environment means more of the |
| live in Asia are characterized more by rocks and | | | | floor space is covered, meaning less space for your |
| grasses than by sand. | | | | leo to run around on. Put a one-inch layer of a |
| This is probably the major reason why sand remains | | | | mixture of equal parts peat moss, potting soil and |
| a popular substrate for the bottom of the leopard | | | | play sand into the bottom of the tank as drainage |
| geckos terrariums, despite its known health risks. | | | | for the plants. Then add some plants (you'll be able |
| Then again, it's not the only reason: many leo owners | | | | to find lists of plants which are reptile-safe on the |
| would probably still prefer to use a sand substrate | | | | internet). Next put in a layer of sand/soil mix, then |
| even if they knew it wasn't a natural environment | | | | add rocks, logs, and finally fill any gaps with more |
| just because it looks good. It's hard not to have a | | | | play sand. |
| little sympathy with this position, because you could | | | | (NB: If you haven't heard of it before, 'play sand' is a |
| argue that it doesn't matter whether a pet's | | | | washed sand that's produced for children's sandpits. |
| environment in captivity is natural, so long as the pet | | | | Because it's clean and very fine it greatly reduces |
| is happy living in it. After all, what's 'natural' about | | | | risks associated with geckos ingesting it, particularly |
| human beings living in cities? | | | | when it's used sparingly.) |
| However, for those who want to approximate a | | | | Either one of these two suggestions is going to give |
| natural environment for their leo without sacrificing | | | | your leopard geckos habitat one that is worthy of |
| looks, there are two other options worthy of | | | | this amazing lizard. |