Proper Substrate for Leopard Geckos

River Gard
Jan 27, 2021
5 min read

Updated: Apr 23, 2023

Leopard geckos substrate differs from every owner, based on opinions, facts, and myths. It's my goal to purely input facts and leave decisions up to the leo owner. That being said, let's talk about improper substrates for leos, then proper ones.

Substrate: the natural environment in which an organism lives, or the surface or medium on which an organism grows or is attached.

Improper Substrates:

1.) Eco Earth:

When ingested eco earth expands in the stomach absorbing moisture. This causes severe cases of impaction as well as severe internal issues.
It causes humidity to spike, and makes humidity past the level of which it should be.
It irritates skin because of the ingredients in it, this can lead to rashes, bumps, and irritations.
Not only that, but leos have no ability to poop out the eco earth like they can with other substrates. (with proper heat other substrates can be digested)

2.) Reptile Carpet:

Causes toes, claws, and teeth to get caught in the small fibers of the carpet and can cause loss of them
Carries bacteria EVEN after washing multiple times
Holds poop and urate to the fabric
Uneasy clean up time
If the leo remains on it for more than 2 years it can cause joint damage from being on a flat surface constantly, leos are not made to stay on hard surfaces constantly.

3.) Sand/Calcium Sand

Sand is the worst substrate for leopard geckos!
Leos do not live on sand in the wild, but a mix of rocky soil.
Sand causes easy impaction, their bodies are not meant to digest sand at all. Putting it in there enclosure is extremely dangerous and unneeded, there are many safe alternatives available.
Calcium sand is even worse, leos sense the calcium in the sand making them want to ingest it even more. Once consumed leos can't digest it and it causes major impaction.
Leos sense things with their tongues, they lick everything to get a sense of their surroundings, that's why all substrate has to be ingestion safe.
When they get impacted from the ingestion of the sand/calci sand, it results in one or 2 things: Hefty vet bill and surgery bill, or death of the leo. In some cases they don't recover from the surgery and loose their life anyways.

4.) Paper Towels:

Paper towels are purely for quarantine purposes not for permanent housing
They are commonly eaten by leos
When ingested leopard geckos are unable to digest it even with proper heat. For this reason it makes it an unsuitable substrate for leos.
When they get impacted from the ingestion of the paper towels, it results in one or 2 things: Hefty vet bill and surgery bill, or death of the leo. In some cases they don't recover from the surgery and loose their life anyways.
for quarantine substrate, add lots of rocks to the corner of the tank to prevent them chewing on the ends or crawling under it. Even then it requires major monitoring and should only be used for a month max to limit exposure and risk.

6.) Wood chips

These are also a terrible substrate for leopard geckos
The large, rough wood chips easily irritate and cut skin
The small wood chips can be ingested and lead to horrible impaction
When they get impacted from the ingestion of the wood chips, it results in one or 2 things: Hefty vet bill and surgery bill, or death of the leo. In some cases they don't recover from the surgery and loose their life anyways.
The wood chips will cause your leo to have splinters, as well as in their mouth if eaten.
The wood chips can/will lead to the formation of blisters from the scratchy material it is made from
Some woods are toxic to leopard geckos: pine and cedar are 2 examples. These are commonly used for the wood chips
Leopard geckos are not meant to spend their lives on wood chips, so their body was not built to tolerate it. It will cause blisters on feet as well as joint pain and early arthritis.

7.) Astro Turf

Astro turf is in no way an okay substrate
The material is plastic and releases a toxic smell when heated
The material is incredibly scratchy and will easily cut, cause blisters, and injure your leo
It is incredibly hard to clean because of all the cracks and crevices
Those very cracks and crevices catch leopard geckos tiny, sensitive toes. This can lead to the loss of toes and teeth

8.) Hamster Bedding

Yes, people really have used this as a bedding for their leopard geckos!
This is not made for reptiles at all!
This is worse than sand.
When consumed it absorbs all moisture.
It is toxic to reptiles, if they eat it it will poison them killing them
When they get impacted from the ingestion of the hamster bedding, it results in one or 2 things: Hefty vet bill and surgery bill, or death of the leo. In some cases they don't recover from the surgery and loose their life anyways.

9.) Newspaper

This link explains what newspaper is made of.
For this reason, it is not a suitable substrate. You do not want your leo, consuming, rolling, or having ink secreted onto it's body, as ink never truly dries.
Not to mention just like paper towels it can be eaten, and with added chemicals its eve more dangerous.
Obvious risk of impaction even with proper heat, and completely unneeded!

Watch out and be careful!

1.) Non adhesive shelf liner

Non adhesive shelf liner was extremely hard to categorize
It has been inferred that it releases toxins when heated that can be toxic to your leo for that reason and others its not on the proper list
It can cause joint damage if the leo is kept on it for life due to being on a hard surface constantly

2.) Tiles

Tiles only goes on this list because of what it does to joints
After long term use tiles will cause early arthritis and joint damage from being on a flat, hard surface constantly
However, to fix this problem you can make 1/3 your enclosure tile and 2/3 organic top soil

3.) Leo Life

Leo life alone is too dusty and rocky, it will get into the leos lungs
It is hard to poop out for the leo when ingested
But, if mixed with organic top soil its appropriate and adds texture

Proper substrate/mixes:

1.) Organic Top Soil

This is the best substrate for leopard geckos when proper heat is used
Without proper heating the leo will not be able to digest and pass any potential ingested soil. See Where We Go Wrong With Leos Heat for more info.
The soft soil allows the leos joint to maintain healthy
It encourages naturalistic behaviors
Promotes activity and decreases the chance for obesity
Allows for live plants as well as isopods that clean up after waste
Opens more option for care, decor, plants, bugs to eat poo if wanted, and personalization
After initial set up, it usually requires less maintenance than other set ups
Can be mixed with other things like leo life, play sand, or eco earth (all need to be less than 30% of the mix. In other words you need to have at least 70% top soil at all times in your mixtures)
Soil must be organic, check ingredients and ensure all fertilizers are organic and no other additives are included.
3 inches of soil minimum
You could also add slate or tile elements as long as it doesn't take up more than 1/3 of the tank with the slate or tile
an under tank heater can not be used with this, so you will need a piece of slate or tile under your halogen or dhp for optional belly heat
Leos under 6 months should not have loose substrate as they lick everything, also your leo should not have loose substrate if the leo is unhealthy in any way.
Ensure proper research on heating and set up are done before adding soil!
Beginners can do this but it is more complicated so research is important

The best brand of substrate is Terra Sahara

It is preblended with sand and soil as well as has no chemicals and is all natural. For a 36 quart bag it is 52 dollars but is the absolute safest Soil on the market.