Leopard Gecko Setup 2020 - Beginner's Setup Guide

[@naginidasnek154]

I don’t have a leopard gecko, but I’m planning to get one and I’ve been starting to research their terrarium setups- this video was super helpful- thanks so much!

[@unknownservice6737]

Same

[@izzyhowwedo]

Same lol

[@just_a_panda]

same lol

[@ballisticcanadian960]

Same

[@starry1668]

soo did u ever get one. im invested now LMAO

[@martinwischmann1953]

A Paradise for Leopard Gecko. Great! - Best wishes from Germany.

[@ellesreptiles]

Thank you! 😊

[@murbeth]

Since I started making my tank a few weeks ago there's been so many leopard gecko vids being made and I love it! Ill be using a 20gal with tile and I actually used your video where you made the hides out of styrofoam, grouted it, then sealed it and it looks so good! All I need now is the heat mat with thermometer, the lighting, and a few more decorations then I'll be done with the setup!

[@jay1033]

I'm always excited when I get the notification that you have posted! Me and my baby crestie love watching together!

[@ellesreptiles]

Awww thank you! 🥰

[@elvieburnine2443]

I love Elle's videos. I love her honesty, attitude. Plus she doesn't act like she knows EVERYTHING.

[@kaileeheideman9628]

My gecko (Pissy) is a year old and I am upgrading her to a bigger tank. This was SO helpful. I have had another one years ago, but i learned so much! Great info! :)

[@gabriella5446]

P-P-Pissy????

[@kaileeheideman9628]

@@gabriella5446 yeah, she was very grumpy when we got her and she screamed and bit a lot.

[@loispadgett6306]

Love now the tank turned out and she looked like she was having great time checking out her new diggers. You are such a good reptile mommy. GOD BLESS

[@ellesreptiles]

Aww thank you! 🥰🥰🥰

[@ghost_deaths1]

Yes I was looking for new leopard gecko video (I want one)

[@ghost_deaths1]

@Pacey Collins yes, I'm gonna try because I've been doing a lot of research

[@Eef986]

Thank you for this I was writing down things for the tank stuff like that for a leopard gecko and wrote down reptile carpet put after this you made me realize the problems with reptile carpet:)

[@cobefriend7797]

Yeah I started with reptile carpet and it’s terrible! Claws get stuck, mealworms and crickets hide under it, terrible to clean! The list goes on!

[@wackyantman5893]

My gecko is coocoo. He doesn’t sleep IN his hide he sleeps on top of it.

[@iamtheparty9435]

Yes! My gecko Jinx sleeps on top of her hide, with her back legs on the wall as if she is doing a handstand. I don’t even question her anymore.

[@sunnydbottlecap4289]

That sounds so cute! 😂 I’m getting one soon!

[@peridrago3134]

My old gecko used do that too! My new one sleeps halfway in her hide :D

[@NeonPossum]

This is kinda funny, I just found your channel this morning looking for up to date leopard gecko set ups so!! Subscribed, and love your content! :D

[@ellesreptiles]

Haha that's awesome. Welcome to the channel! 😊

[@TheMuffinMansWife]

I really want a leopard gecko but before I even started to entertain the idea of them, I got a 40 gal tank (It was a gift so not expensive for me. It also has a front door so it's pretty stress free), substrate, UVB light and fixture, and a food dish

[@avamk5696]

am i pretty much an expert on setting up leopard gecko tanks? yes. did i still watch this whole video? yes.

[@dawnfabanich4685]

I just got a rescue leopard gecko and I am rehousing him. He has MBD in all 4 feet. I am giving him a nice big home!! I love your videos!! And I am so excited about this one!! Thanks for sharing!!!!

[@ellesreptiles]

Awww well congrats and good luck on his road to a healthy life! 😊

[@davidphillips2798]

Good morning Elle, hope you have an amazing Sunday.

[@ellesreptiles]

I hope you do as well! 😊

[@davidphillips2798]

@@ellesreptiles thank you Ma'am 🙂

[@segazi8287]

convinced my mom to get a leopard gecko, already researched a lot for the past days but i forgot what kind of floor you should use so thats why im here

[@marjiescott2302]

Thank you so much for this video, my son has wanted lizards for 4 years, so we decided to give him some for an early Christmas present. We found 2 leopard geckos a guy was giving away, I didn't like his tanks set up because it was so crowded with odd stuff, so I have been re-doing the tank and this video helped me alot. Plus I didn't know you could put tile in there, I thought that it had to be all dirt and sand, so i will make half our tank half tile for easier cleaning. I love it. Thanks again

[@nightinggale6470]

Make sure the geckos are housed separately! They’re very likely to compete for resources (which often escalates to fighting) when kept together.

[@Lanpee]

Ayy! Thank you for this! This was so helpful for me to redo my leopard gecko's tank. She really needed a better one haha! 💗

[@SiennaandKaitlyn]

Yeah I do have a Leo and I came here to find inspiration because I want to redo her tank :). Loved the video!

[@ellesreptiles]

Thank you! 😊

[@amanda_nowell_983]

I love this setup and I’m excited to change my Ducky’s around and add a dig area. Thank you for this information.

[@stuckinthelazycorneragain4016]

Love this! One note on using paper towels, it can cause impaction and it is NOT able to breakdown inside your reptile unlike something more natural like a bioactive substrate (aka loose substrate) which despite what people think can pass through your reptile if ingested. So if you are using paper towels you should remove them immediately if you see them chewing on it. Either way I don’t think it’s ideal for any reptile unless its sick or very young and you need to clean constantly. Plus its imo not very aesthetically pleasing...lol!

[@ellesreptiles]

Yea, it's definitely not my favorite for any reptile. I haven't heard of them just eating it, but that's really good to know. 😊 Thanks for the info!

[@stuckinthelazycorneragain4016]

@@ellesreptiles No problem! I think a lot of people don’t think about it 😊

[@cutiesos]

Do you have any recommendations for other things to use in humid hides?

[@stuckinthelazycorneragain4016]

@@cutiesos I’m not sure who you were asking but I think Elle tends to use sphagnum moss in hers :)

[@anthonybateman7527]

Great help, I'm helping my granddaughter to get and setup her first leopard gecko, so thankyou

[@lilyrigdon3492]

I have a baby leopard gecko named Rosie who I got for Christmas. Thank you for posting the videos! They are really helping beginners like myself!

[@Minuit_Badlands]

Your videos are always so helpful! I love reptiles but one thing I always struggle with is heating and lighting ( so many different types of bulbs 😭 ) watching your videos and seeing what you suggest helps out a lot !

[@ellesreptiles]

Awww yay! In so glad they help! It's definitely about finding what works best for you and your gecko 💜

[@blackmagicyo]

She looks so happy

[@ellesreptiles]

🥰 I hope she is!

[@nicholsenthedjinn4032]

Thank you so much for all the advice, it's going to help so much! I knew some of this already, but there were some things I didn't! I've been watching many videos as well as reading to prepare myself as best as I can. On Thursday, I'm going to be picking up a new leopard gecko! I had one years ago, but my ex stole him... ;-; My new one is a 5 month old super giant tremper morph! His owner that I'm adopting/purchasing him from hamed him Sleepy.

[@Speblet]

It’s impressive how she made all of this fit in under 15 minutes

[@paytonsplumbing]

Thanks so much for this! We were thinking about getting a leo, and I'm really glad you made this 💛!

[@ellesreptiles]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! 😊

[@tashalynn8181]

definitely using this as inspo😍 , just got 2 bigger tanks to upgrade my babies !

[@kittykatsnitsnat]

I don't keep any leopard geckos currently, but that could likely change over the next couple years cause I really dig them😝I got really close to keeping one, but it ultimately didn't happen. Anyway, love your videos (especially the out-takes at the end) and your accent-- very charming💚

[@chuckhallscorpionking8766]

I use a sand mat in my leopard gecko enclosure, it is way better than the reptile carpet that the person I rescued him from had him on. He seems to enjoy it, I guess because it feels like what his natural habitat would feel like. But, I have to thank you for giving me more ideas on how and what to use in his enclosure.

[@ellesreptiles]

Forgot about sand mats! I always forget something haha. And I'm so glad I could help 😊

[@dinothegecko3294]

My leopard gecko has a Deep heat projecter and a heat mat. For his tank he has a large low exo terra, he also has 4 hideouts!

[@marytwinflamessoulfamunite7102]

What type of tile is this and what measurements out of curiosity because I have a 40 Gallon Breeder tank 36× 18× 18 zoo med Terarium and I plan on using it for my future Leopard Gecko and am looking to use tile

[@samanthaperez4511]

This is the best set up video I’ve seen!

[@sheep381]

What about a rocky mat for the floor of the tank? Would that work or is it bad?

[@theboogeyman2526]

Great job and informative. Thank you soooo much for doing this!!

[@snake4683]

My leopard gecko never comes out of his humidity box enless its time to eat-

[@SiennaandKaitlyn]

Same

[@ellesreptiles]

My younger (more skittish) one does that too 🙃

[@sarahismiles6]

Sorry I was just given a leopard gecko... what do you feed it? I was told by the person who gave it to me to feed her large crickets...

[@snake4683]

@@sarahismiles6 do your research. Feed her 4-6 bugs every other day. Dubia roaches, super worms, crickets, wax worms. I feed wax worms and Dubias cause they are the less smelly and easiest to keep. Leopard geckos can technically eat 900 bugs every year. Mist her twice a day make sure she's in a big enough tank. I've never kept one in smaller then a 30in. X 12in. If you need to buy a new tank get a plastic tub from home depot and cut a hole in the top for ventilation then attach a mesh or metal vent. It'll be like 40$ instead of 150$ for a glass enclosure, it also keeps humidity up better then the glass ones. Make sure she has no stuck shed or any other weird things and enjoy your Leopard gecko

[@snake4683]

@@sarahismiles6 crickets smell absolutely terrible they smell like rotting flesh I couldn't open my cricket bins without wearing a mask and they can hurt your gecko and and just super gross. Dubia roaches are cockroaches that can't fly, climb, bite, smell, or run fast. They are also the most beneficial feeder insect. Wax worms are my boys favorite bug he starts attacking them before I even get them in the tank. There slow, they eat honey, and there squishy Super worms are weird, they bite, they turn into these black beetles, and my leopard gecko personal refuses to eat them

[@MiguelLopez-lz9gy]

Thank you so much for this video it helped me out so much great video 👍🏽

[@kimbyh2o]

Thank you for all the info! Helping us love our new pet friend!

[@wmichael78]

Immensely helpful! Our older son has a bearded dragon, and our youngest son wants a leopard gecko, so these are two very different tank set ups! One question, you mention the UVB long light UVB 10 22inch---so with the heating pad underneath, that UVB bulb is all a leopard gecko needs?

[@pAiNkI1LaH]

Yup thats all the light you need for a leopard gecko if you are using a heating pad. They are nocturnal and the low UV is to provide some natural vitamin D.

[@nightinggale6470]

Heat mats are not a good heat source, overhead heating is much better for them. A halogen flood bulb connected to a dimmer/dimming thermostat is the most natural and beneficial option, Arcadia’s deep heat projector is the second best option. They produce infrared A and B like the sun, heat that penetrates deep into the skin tissue and heats them far more effectively than heat mats. Whereas heat mats only produce IRC, which only heats the surface of their skin. For the UVB, Arcadia and zoo med are good brands. Get a 5-7% tube bulb. Consider whether it’s going to be over a mesh lid, and the distance from the basking spot.

[@nightinggale6470]

@@pAiNkI1LaH they’re not nocturnal. They’re crepuscular (mostly active at dawn and dusk). They’ve also shown cathemeral behaviour both in the wild and in captivity (activity periodically throughout day and night). Heat mats are not a good heat source. Overhead heating is much better for them, particularly a lamp that produces infrared A and B like halogen bulbs.

[@isabellamota1339]

My little cousin is obsessed with leopard geckos of corse she’s still little so she won’t be getting one but she told me that if she did ever get one it would be orange she would name it mango and it would sniff flowers and sit on swings lol 😂

[@ellesreptiles]

Hahaha awwww how sweet 🥰

[@isabellamota1339]

@@ellesreptiles I know I love her so much!

[@sodium223]

Wow that's ironic I've been thinking about getting a tangerine leopard gecko and I was gonna name it mango or pineapple

[@AtariExists]

I’m panicking rn, my parents won’t let me get a background for my tank and I watched a care guide saying the gecko could die without one. What do I do???

[@nightinggale6470]

No, they will not die without a background. If a care guide told you they would, I question the credibility of the rest of their information. Covering the back and sides of the enclosure can make them feel more secure and less exposed, though. You don’t need to buy a background for this, you could tape construction paper to the outside of the enclosure. A 3D background would be enriching since it’d give them something to climb on, but there are other ways to give them climbing enrichment.

[@Ryken.M.C]

im getting mine tomorrow

[@aonehs]

Question were did you get your plants and cork bark from? Love your videos

[@brandynstieger4786]

Hey I know that u lost your fire skink 😕. But mine are pared. So when the start laying eggs. Do u want some ?

[@ellesreptiles]

That's really cool, and definitely a possibility! Send me an ig message or email when there's babies 🥰

[@brandynstieger4786]

Ok will do 😁.

[@AidenTheG]

Is a 36x18x12 to big? I have one and it looks really big in real life

[@nightinggale6470]

Not at all! There is no such thing as too big, only too bare. As long as there’s plenty of clutter and plant cover, and not too much open space, they will thrive in a large enclosure. You’ve gotta remember that their natural habitat is exponentially bigger than any enclosure. 36x18x18” is actually the recommended size for a leopard gecko.

[@jacke6826]

Thank you for all the great ideas it gives me some ideas to upgrade my leopard geckos tank. I actually recently got my leopard, gecko, her name is Ziggy and she is super sweet and playful. But thank you for all the inspiration I look up to you so much.

[@ellesreptiles]

I'm glad the videos help! 😊

[@giagage6663]

Hey! Do I use fake plants for my leopard gecko? I’m seeing a lot of videos suggesting me to use plants for the leopard gecko to hide in besides their hides and hammock.

[@richarddubois7921]

How do you feel about taking a standing book shelf adding a door in front. Maybe use Drylock which is pet safe to paint it? I’m really struggling with deciding what it good for a gecko before I adopt one. Thank you

[@TraciKReacts]

Absolutely love your videos. I have 2 cresties and am thinking of getting a leopard. Where do you get your wood and tunnel decor pieces? Just an awesome set up!

[@skylarutd]

Good work Elle 👍

[@ellesreptiles]

Thank you! 😊

[@nikkibenshoff2163]

I’ve never used springtails in my history of having leopard geckos, I can’t go to the store to get my stuff because I can’t drive yet. Thank you for giving me the idea of clean up crew.

[@brooklyn.w332]

Just got mine today! Love it!

[@kenc9236]

Awesome video.

[@crystalmckinney460]

So quick question. I've been putting the probe underneath the shelf liner another the heating pad. Should I put the probe on top of the liner?

[@okcapy_0016]

Hey Elle love your videos soooo much you do an amazing job taking care of your animals 👍👍👍 me and my gecko say hi

[@ellesreptiles]

Aww thank you so much 🥰

[@_Pro.Bot_]

Ceramic tiles are genius in that it mimics rock slabs and retains and radiates heat

[@nightinggale6470]

Unfortunately they do not offer any digging/burrowing enrichment at all, which is very beneficial. Therefore they shouldn’t be used as the whole substrate. A suitable loose substrate such as a soil/playsand mix should be used as at least part of the substrate.

[@_Pro.Bot_]

@@nightinggale6470 wouldn't a good dig box work as well?

[@nightinggale6470]

@@_Pro.Bot_ not really. While they’re better than nothing, they really don’t offer much enrichment compared to full or half loose substrate.

[@heatherwykoff6862]

At 13:42 where did you get the logs from that are in the lower and upper left of the video? The brown and green ones with all the holes.

[@ellesreptiles]

My husband made them 😊

[@GracieA_gaming]

Just got my first leopard gecko today!

[@ellesreptiles]

Congrats! 🎉

[@IM.SO.FLAWLESS]

Amazing Content 🦎

[@ellesreptiles]

Thank you ♥️

[@Shapeshifters_23]

Was sectioning videos available when you made this video or did you go back to your old videos and section them? Also btw great video v helpful

[@ellesreptiles]

I'm not sure if it was available for this one, but I did go back and section lots of videos when it became available. 😊

[@savannahtriplett7774]

What size are the tiles

[@ecoflys896]

I use the Reptile carpet that is in this video. Never even thought of there nails catching. But does your gecko slip on the tile?

[@ethanstevens3390]

Yes I have one

[@gram1527]

Super helpful. Thank you

[@ellesreptiles]

You're very welcome 😊

[@haylee2425]

What did you use to hang the hammock? Is there a certain kind of fabric that it should be made from? does it need to be washed with a certain kind of soap? I'm thinking of making one for my leo's tank

[@ObeyShane]

Great video! Question tho, the part with the calcium powder what ages does that span to that you can just have a dish with just the powder in it?

[@avamk5696]

calcium dishes aren't necessary if your gecko does NOT have mbd, but if you still want to, go ahead. any ages can use these, more benificial for younger geckos since they could use extra calcium to develop their bones

[@Mareexoxox]

Are u using a dimming dome for the light ? Do they need that with that bulb or no ?

[@ellesreptiles]

For the UVB bulb? Nope, no dimmer, just a regular dome with an on/off switch

[@mansaruaidhri5602]

Very informative 🙏🏻

[@Jen-hp1sk]

Hi! You don’t have to worry about their toes getting stuck between the tiles?

[@nightinggale6470]

Generally not, I’ve never seen/heard of that being a problem. Keep in mind that suitable loose substrate mix (or half textured tile half loose) is ideal, digging enrichment is very beneficial for them.

[@dezaraygillespie3497]

Thanks this helps so much my daughter has one and she didn't know what to get

[@RipTikTok2]

You’re 20 long looks so much deeper than mine, are there different kinds of 20 longs?

[@jessicahiggins912]

If you're meaning the one she set up in the video that one is not a 20 long the one she moved her gecko out of was a 20 long.

[@RipTikTok2]

@@jessicahiggins912 oh I gotcha, thanks!

[@wickedglassbears]

I got the reptizoo 35 gallon. Its similar floor space, but shorter height 36x18x12.6 . I'm excited to get it set up I even got my Leo on hold! :)

[@6strings735]

That is a nice cage. I am considering that as well for a future project.

[@elaynesheffer7924]

Thank you! Just wanna know could you use that topsoil in the entire tank?

[@nightinggale6470]

Absolutely! It’d be best to mix some playsand into it, though. 60% soil to 40% sand is a good ratio.

[@richarddubois7921]

Thank you so much for this video. I’m looking to get a leopard gecko.

[@ellesreptiles]

You're very welcome! 😊

[@aciewha7702]

Is a detolf a appropriate cage for a gecko?

[@ashleyhanna5268]

I am new to reptiles. I have a leopard gecko. Couple questions, do I put the UVB light on the same side as the heat pad or opposite?Also I was told to mist the tank, but I think I watched another one of your videos where you said not to. Do you just provide water then?

[@nightinggale6470]

The UVB bulb goes on the same side as the heat. Overhead heating (ideally a halogen flood bulb) is much more natural and beneficial than under tank heating. You generally don’t need to mist the enclosure unless it’s very dry. Humidity in the range of 35-65% is ideal for leopard geckos (as measured by a digital hygrometer). It’s also recommended to provide a humid hide.

[@tareqkrunz9772]

when a female is a reptile lover = terrarium setup on a different level! good job

[@37Sith]

What type of wood do you have in there?

[@abominationenvy5422]

Ellen, where do you place your thermostat probe and how do you secure it?

[@Spooderman862]

OMGoodness, where are you from? You sound like you are from the South! I'm in NC and new to having a leopard gecko!

[@queenjay932]

The fibers on the carpets are terrible I used it when I first got my gecko but as he started growing I noticed it was getting harder for him to walk around and his toes were getting stick. I immediately switched to shelf liner. It’s such a better option honestly😊

[@RixiV11]

Im new to leos,just i wonder if there is any other heat solucion like radian panel? Will work from top or sides maybe?

[@nightinggale6470]

Radiant heat panels aren’t a good primary heat source. A halogen flood bulb connected to a dimmer/dimming thermostat is the most natural and beneficial option, Arcadia’s deep heat projector is the second best option. They produce infrared A and B like the sun, heat that penetrates deep into the skin tissue and heats them far more effectively. Whereas heat panels only produce IRC, which only heats the surface of their skin.

[@SoggyPringles]

Kinda new to keeping reptiles but I have a 40 gal breeder (with ONE leo in it, I had a mated pair but the other sadly passed from something I'm unsure of, no the other does not have the same issue luckily) and after watching this vid, I defiantely want to do a tank like this, but my breeder is kinda tall and I was wondering of it was a good idea to put like a second story made out of some type of wood on only half the tank. All in all a very eye opening video for me

[@nightinggale6470]

Yes, a second story would be a good idea.

[@KrayKray_KB]

Do you keep the top soil moist at all? Or just change it out when it dries out?

[@sandibutler4877]

I live in FL. My home is a trailer that doesn't have consistent temps or humidity. I do the best I can with my bearded dragon to keep his humidity as close to 40% as I can but it is so very difficult. I've been wanting a leopard gecko for some time now. Do you have any ideas for regulating the humidity? I could really use some suggestions!! Thank you!! Love your channel!!!

[@ellesreptiles]

I actually have a whole video about lowering humidity: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYmkonutbdCChLM Hope it helps! 😊

[@NenetteSerrano]

I bought the same topsoil, but is it necessary to put it in the oven first and strain out/clean any big particles from the soil? Some people do extra steps before putting it in the tank, just wanted to make sure if its really necessary or not.

[@amandahines977]

Hi I just reduced a breaded dragon and a snow leopard gecko. The bearded dragon I know what to do but I’ve never had a gecko and could really use some help with care and tank set up

[@ighhomes]

I’m wanted to get one soon I have crested geckos my baby’s I was asking do you have a full tutorial on how to build this cage I love the set up.

[@ameliartrebnio]

I would highly suggest getting a linear UVB bulb because the only way your leopard gecko would be able to absorb all of the UVB is they would have to sit directly under it and so your leopard gecko might get a deficiency in UV because there's not a lot of it in the tank and she has to be in a very specific spot to be able to absorb the UV

[@nailsbytonya_legendlillys3113]

I was wondering how you would address a prolapse in a lepoard gecko? How long you think it should take for him to fix it himself before calling the vet? And thank you for all your info and tank set up ideas. I'm going to use the tote idea to put substrate in! 👍

[@worldynikola]

do you spray the humid hide with water? does it get cold? I have a heating pad but only one for the hot hide....also do you spray the dig box with water?

[@nightinggale6470]

Yes, you spray the humid hide. Keep in mind that heat mats are not a good primary heat source, they should have overhead heating. A halogen flood bulb is ideal. Dig boxes don’t offer much enrichment, half or full loose substrate (a soil/sand or soil/sand/clay mix) is best.

[@RobbieCrenshaw]

What lighting/heating would you recommend for a 10gallon glass tank? Just got my son a Leopard Gecko and it's been over 20 years since I had one as a kid.

[@nightinggale6470]

A halogen bulb is ideal for heating, and a tube UVB bulb such as the Arcadia shadedweller would be beneficial as well. Be sure to upgrade ASAP, you’ll struggle to achieve a temperature gradient or fit much decor in a tank that small. Adults need a 20 gallon long bare minimum, and 40 gallons (36x18x18”) or bigger is strongly recommended.

[@sadloki4107]

thank you so much for making this vid! I plan on rescuing a leopard gecko and I was wondering how heating is going to work, like will you gecko get to hot if you have a lamp and a heating pad???? from what the video says I should be fine using them both. but I just wanna make sure.

[@nightinggale6470]

Theres no need to use a heat pad, all you need is a properly set up halogen flood bulb.

[@f7digitaldesign]

You're soooo an expert!

[@DnG34]

First of all great video , thank you for all the information. I copied my setup off yours. Do you have problems heating the area with the mat through the tile , I feel like my spot should be hotter even though the thermostat and thermometer say 91.

[@ellesreptiles]

Hello and thank you 😊 I know I've mentioned it in other videos, but not sure if I did in this specific one - I usually put a little sand under the tiles with the heat mat under it, since the tiles have groves and don't sit completely flush to the glass. This just fills all those groves in and allows more heat to transfer to the tile/the heat to transfer evenly. I also add a heat lamp to the tank during the winter months. 😊

[@DnG34]

@@ellesreptiles thank you soo much

[@nightinggale6470]

Just letting you know: Heat mats are not a good heat source. A halogen flood bulb connected to a dimmer/dimming thermostat is the most natural and beneficial option, Arcadia’s deep heat projector is the second best option. They produce IRA and IRB like the sun, heat that penetrates deep into the skin tissue and heats them far more effectively than heat mats. Whereas heat mats only produce IRC, which only heats the surface of their skin. Also, tile is not good for the entire substrate, since it doesn’t offer any digging enrichment (and using it as the entire substrate can potentially cause joint problems). A suitable loose substrate mix is best, such as a soil/playsand or soil/sand/clay mix :)

[@owenclark3782]

I’ve been wondering… why would you use any thing instead of a more natural sand or aspen bedding. It’s easier to clean I get that, but do they get sand in any part of their body or something? Since I almost always see some easy substrate used on them

[@ellesreptiles]

Some people are uncomfortable with loose substrate because of impaction risks. This is especially the case with calcium sand - this kind of sand has been known to kill leopard geckos. BUT not all loose substrate is bad. Bioactive/naturalistic mixes (like children's play sand and topsoil mix) are great - my other leopard gecko has this and loves it. 😊

[@koramauck4863]

Where did you get the leaves and sticks at ?

[@giagage6663]

Hey! Do I use fake plants for my leopard gecko? I’m seeing a lot of videos suggesting me to use plants for the leopard gecko to hide in besides their hides and hammock. I just want to make sure my exo-terra is ready before I pick up my leopard gecko :)

[@sodium223]

It's nice to have, but no you don't have to get it

[@6strings735]

You can, but there is little value to the gecko. They like hides, crevices, dirt to dig in. They can't use a plastic plant really. I suppose a fake vine can conceal them, so maybe that can have some value. But a fake cactus or something that just sticks up is more for you to look at. Not a bad thing, just not usable. I think a rock would be better - geckos like to climb on rocks. Like a rainbow rock, or piece of slate or granite, not a smooth riverstone.

[@the_animal_ark]

Ahha I’m dead For a second I had thought you put an leopard gecko in a six foot tank would have been cool I’m dying 😇🙏 god bless