Is my crested gecko's tank substrate safe? What are good options?

Leopard geckos can be very finicky. I probably wouldn’t change his substrate unless he is having problems with the current one. You can attempt to change it but you need to monitor his activity, appetite and attitude closely. I also don’t recommend any sand substrates as they commonly cause intestinal obstruction because they like to eat it. Honestly, the best substrate is an AstroTurf type material because they can’t eat it and it is easy to keep clean, but this can be a big change if he isn’t use to it. I hope this helps!

Reptile carpet, paper towels, butcher paper or even slate can be used as a substrate in iguana enclosures. If you choose reptile carpet/turf, be sure there are no strings or loose ends which could snag a toe or limb.

Yes, crested geckos are an excellent choice if you have never kept reptiles. An enclosure is easy to set up and the proper diet is easy to purchase. Follow the link for a caresheet. http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Lizards/Crested-Gecko/

For a new tank, hot, soapy water followed by a thorough rinsing is sufficient. Steam cleaning and a dilute bleach solution (1/2 cup bleach:1 gallon water) can be used for disinfection. There are also commercial cleaners, such as Zoo Med Wipe Out, that can be purchased online or in most pet stores.

That's terrific news! It is great to read of your frog's recovery. Most keepers will keep a bare bottom tank. This will prevent ingestion of substrate and makes finding food easier for the frogs. It also makes it easier to keep the tank clean. Sand would be fine. If they inadvertently ingest some, it should pass easily. If you decide on gravel or river rock, make sure it it large enough to prevent ingestion.

An adult crested gecko should be housed in a 20-gallon tank with screen top. Larger tanks will allow for better displays. In areas with moderate to high relative humidity, crested geckos will fare well in screen cages.

Hi there! We have a Crested Gecko and have so much fun with him! Don’t worry, they are a great starter reptile and are pretty easy to keep. In the winter we use a red light to keep the tank warmer, but not a specific heat lamp. This keeps the tank warm enough without getting too hot. Also very important is the humidity of the tank. Keeping it spritzed several times a day is necessary. We started with a tank your size and it probably would have been just fine long term, but we ended up purchasing a larger tank because we wanted a different look. Best of luck and have fun with your crestie! Thank you for using Pet Coach.