Best plants for crested geckos?

[crestedquills]

Im thinking of using some live plants in my crested geckos terrarium. What are the safest plants to use? Also, what is a good substrate/soil choice? Where is the best place to purchase these plants? Thanks

[darc]

Hey crestedquills,
I'm going to be getting a Leopard Gecko here pretty soon and am curious to see the responses. My current view, is that I'm not going to use any live plants... just hides and driftwood type stuff.

As far as substrate, I've decided on stone tile set in sand for stability. It seems like damn near any substrate you can use (besides paper towels) have potential for impaction, especially in younger specimens. Granted this isn't guaranteed... but I like to reduce the risk as much as possible. Also, I read somewhere that astroturf (which is what I use for my Ball Python) can be "too rough on their skin" ... that seems weird to me since they're reptiles and I would expect them to be pretty tough, but I've read in 2 different places that they have delicate skin... so maybe it's true. Any gecko experts have input on that?

I've got several sheets of 1x1 inch natural stone tile that my wife bought with the intention of doing backsplash in our kitchen... but I kiboshed because it would look so weird. However, it turns out it would be an awesome substrate for a gecko : D
So, yeah, I'm going to lay a thin layer of sand (.25 - .5 inch) and then press the stone tile into it.
I also read on another thread here that someone had created an second level out of foam board, so I'm going to look into that (it was on the Reptile board somewhere, thread title was something like "got my first leopard gecko")

Let me know how everything goes, I want to make it as smooth as possible for the little guy when I pick him up this weekend or early next week (whenever I euthanize the last litter of feeder mice for the python and free up my 10g tank).

-darc

[darc]

Cross link : check out this thread : https://www.vivariumforum.com/communi...stie-tank.html
-darc

[Pavel]

Originally Posted by darc

Also, I read somewhere that astroturf (which is what I use for my Ball Python) can be "too rough on their skin" ... that seems weird to me since they're reptiles and I would expect them to be pretty tough,
-darc

Geckos have much more delicate skin than most herps. look at the underside of a leo -- you can see the pink cast of the flesh beneath & if its an egg-bearing female, the white of the eggs is easy to spot. You won't see any of this on most reptiles

[darc]

Originally Posted by Pavel

Geckos have much more delicate skin than most herps. look at the underside of a leo -- you can see the pink cast of the flesh beneath & if its an egg-bearing female, the white of the eggs is easy to spot. You won't see any of this on most reptiles

Thanks for the info, I picked up a juvenile Leopard Gecko this weekend, but he's still settling in so I've only handled him twice (though he's eating and pooping, so woohoo!).

He got totally pissed the second time I picked him up... that sound they make is wicked, scared me even though I'm 300X his size : )
When he gets a little more used to me I'll check out the underside and sex him (or her)

Thanks,
-darc