The 5 Best Substrates For Leopard Geckos

The 5 Best Substrates For Leopard Geckos

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Leopard geckos make wonderful pets because they are docile, relatively easy to care for, and they don’t get too big. Though a leopard gecko may not require anything complicated in terms of its habitat, there are certain boxes you need to check if you want to mimic your pet’s natural habitat.

In addition to choosing an appropriately sized terrarium, you should also make sure it is lined with the right type of substrate. Substrate helps absorb waste to keep your tank clean and hygienic.

In this article, we’ll talk about decorating your leopard gecko tank and provide some tips for choosing the best leopard gecko substrate and bedding. You’ll also see our top 5 picks for the best leopard gecko substrate and bedding.

At A Glance: Best Substrates and Beddings for Leopard Geckos To Buy

We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.

Compare Best Substrates and Beddings for Leopard Geckos

Overall Best 1. Zoo Med Excavator Clay Burrowing Reptile Substrate View on Chewy Read Review	Runner Up 2. Reptile Prime Coconut Fiber Bedding Substrate For reptiles View on Chewy Read Review	Best Affordable 3. Zoo Med Eco Earth Loose Coconut Fiber Reptile Substrate View on Chewy Read Review	Premium Choice 4. Reptile Sciences Terrarium Sand View on Amazon Read Review	Best For Odor Control 5. Zilla Terrarium Liner View on Chewy Read Review
Materials Clay	Materials Coconut fiber	Materials Coconut fiber	Materials Sand	Materials Recycled materials
Capacity 10 pounds	Capacity 24 dry quarts	Capacity 8 quarts	Capacity 10 pounds	Capacity 50-gallon
Key Features Holds shape, fine texture	Key Features Absorbent, natural	Key Features Retains humidity, natural	Key Features Digestible, all-natural	Key Features Low maintenance, easy to clean

What To Look For In Substrate And Bedding For Leopard Geckos

When it comes to choosing the substrate for your leopard gecko tank, you have many options. Some gecko owners keep it simple by using paper towels or newspaper, but neither of these options allow your gecko express natural behaviors. At the same time, you don’t want to choose something that’s going to create a risk of impaction or injury. Read on to see our recommendations for leopard gecko bedding.

Here are some important things to look for in leopard gecko substrate:

• All-natural, non-toxic. You never want to put anything in your gecko’s tank that could potentially harm your pet, so choose a bedding that is all-natural and non-toxic.
• Easy to clean. Half the point of using substrate or bedding in your leopard gecko tank is to keep it clean. Make sure the bedding you choose is easy to spot-clean and either replace or disinfect.
• Low risk of ingestion. When your leopard gecko eats insects, there is always a risk that it might ingest some substrate along with the food. Make sure the substrate you choose won’t harm your gecko or cause an intestinal obstruction.
• Low level of dust. Leopard geckos have sensitive eyes and many loose substrates can cause problems for their eyes.

Our Top Picks For The Best Substrates and Beddings For Leopard Geckos

Now that you have a better idea what to look for in a leopard gecko substrate, it’s time to start shopping! Keep reading to see our top 5 picks for the best leopard gecko beddings and substrates.

Overall Best

1.

Zoo Med Excavator Clay Burrowing Reptile Substrate

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Materials: Clay
• Capacity: 10 pounds
• Key Features: Holds shape, fine texture

Pros

• Enables natural burrowing behavior
• Holds its shape well, can make tunnels and crevasses mimicking their natural environment.
• All-natural clay materials, no chemicals or dyes

Cons

• Requires occasional misting to maintain texture
• Some risk for accidental ingestion and impaction if it cracks

This Zoo Med Excavator Clay Burrowing Substrate is a good option because it is all-natural and enables burrowing behavior when you create tunnels or hides. It has a rocky structure similar to the landscape of their native savannahs.

The substrate holds it shape as well, so you can build tunnels and the fine texture won’t injure your gecko’s toes or feet. Plus, it comes in a large 10-pound bag which is plenty for most small terrariums.

Runner Up

2.

Reptile Prime Coconut Fiber Bedding Substrate For reptiles

View on Chewy

Product Info

• Materials: Coconut fiber
• Capacity: 24 dry quarts
• Key Features: Absorbent, natural

Pros

• All-natural, non-toxic coconut fiber material
• Enables natural burrowing behavior
• Helps retain moisture and humidity in tank

Cons

• Some risk for accidental ingestion, non-toxic
• May retain more moisture than necessary

If you’re looking for a leopard gecko substrate that enables burrowing behavior but isn’t quite as structured as the previous option, consider this Zoo Med Eco Earth Coconut Fiber Substrate.

This substrate is made from all-natural coconut fiber which is gentle on your gecko’s feet and helps retain both heat and humidity. Plus, it is highly affordable and easy to use.

Best Affordable

3.

Zoo Med Eco Earth Loose Coconut Fiber Reptile Substrate

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View on Amazon

Product Info

• Materials: Coconut fiber
• Capacity: 8 quarts
• Key Features: Natural, absorbent, odor control

Pros

• Can be used dry or wet, tropical or desert
• Naturally absorbent, breaks down waste
• Safe and gentle on gecko feet and toes

Cons

• May retain more moisture than needed
• Somewhat more expensive than other options

Another excellent option in coconut fiber bedding for your leopard gecko is this Reptile Prime Coconut Fiber Bedding. It is a little more expensive than some options, but it is naturally absorbent, helping to control odor and breaking down waste naturally. It is gentle on your gecko’s feet and can be used dry or damp to create tropical or desert habitats.

Premium Choice

4.

Reptile Sciences Terrarium Sand

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Materials: Sand
• Capacity: 10 pounds
• Key Features: Digestible, all-natural

Pros

• Made from 100% all-natural materials
• Digestible, not dangerous for ingestion
• Contains natural odor neutralizers

Cons

• Somewhat heavier for burrowing than coconut fiber
• Some risk of ingestion, low risk for impaction

If you’re worried about your gecko accidentally ingesting substrate, choose something like this Reptile Sciences Terrarium Sand. It is made from 100% all-natural materials and is completely digestible. If your gecko does accidentally ingest some, there is a very low risk for internal abrasions or impaction. It contains natural odor neutralizers and is ideal for creating a natural habitat.

Best For Odor Control

5.

Zilla Terrarium Liner

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Materials: Recycled materials
• Capacity: 50-gallon
• Key Features: Low maintenance, easy to clean

Pros

• No accidental ingestion is likely
• Absorbent and non-abrasive material, very easy to clean
• Resists the growth of bacteria and mold.

Cons

• Doesn’t allow for a naturalistic habitat
• Doesn’t retain heat and humidity as well as some

For a quick and easy substrate ideal for juvenile leopard geckos, consider this Zilla Reptile Terrarium Bedding Substrate Liner. It is made from safe, non-abrasive materials so it won’t harm your gecko and there is no risk for accidental ingestion.

Plus, it is treated with a biodegradable enzyme to reduce odor and you can clean it quite easily using cold tap water. It is also very affordable, so you could purchase 2 and just swap them out when cleaning is needed.

Tips for Setting Up a Leopard Gecko Habitat

Leopard geckos are nocturnal reptiles, so you’ll need to keep that in mind when setting up the tank. You should expect your gecko to spend most of the day hiding, coming out only at night to feed. Think about additional factors such as heating, humidity, and lighting when decorating your gecko habitat.

Here are some simple tips for setting up your leopard gecko cage:

• Choose a terrarium at least 10 gallons in size, but ideally 20 gallons. Leopard geckos should be housed alone.
• Make sure your leopard gecko terrarium is well-ventilated – these are desert animals, not tropical, so they don’t have the same high humidity requirements of some reptiles. However, also make sure that the temperature is stable. Too much of a draft can make the cage too cool.
• Install an under-tank heater under your gecko terrarium – it will heat the substrate and help maintain the proper ambient temperature in the tank.
• Choose the proper lighting for your gecko tank – you’ll want low-wattage daylight and recent studies have shown that they will benefit from a low-level UV light. They usually don’t require any night lights in the average home.
• Provide your gecko with a hiding spot or two, placing one on the hotter end of the tank where your gecko can rest during the day – geckos do not bask.
• Provide at least one humid hide to make sure they have an area to keep their skin moist so they can shed properly.

Now that you have a better idea how to set up and decorate your leopard gecko terrarium, you can see the important role bedding and substrate play. Take what you’ve learned here and put it to use in choosing the best substrate for your leopard gecko tank.

Final Remarks

Leopard geckos are unique and interesting pets, but they are not necessarily beginner friendly. Any pet you choose to keep has specific requirements for care, so be sure to do your research. With the proper research, a suitable habitat, and a healthy diet, you should have no trouble keeping your leopard gecko happy and healthy for years to come.

If you’re still not sure where to start in looking for leopard gecko substrate, try out one of the top 5 best leopard gecko substrates we’ve reviewed above. Good luck!