Yes, sand mats are good for adult leopard geckos as opposed to loose substrates such as sand because your pet gecko has a lesser risk for impaction. This is because the sand is attached to the mat, leaving no room for loose grains that could be intentionally or accidentally swallowed (your gecko may ingest sand to meet the required calcium). In addition, sand mats combine the natural look of the bioactive mix or a DIY and the simplicity of a leopard gecko carpet.

Other Benefits of Using Sand Mats

• They come in a sandy and rocky appearance to give your little guy a firm grip. Your gecko feels comfortable like he would in the wild because the sand mat resembles his natural habitat.
• Installing the sand mats is hassle-free. You can easily cut leopard gecko sand mats with a box cutter and use it as substrate. It’s best to use the finer-grain sand mat to enhance your leopard gecko’s comfort, as larger grains are rough on your little friend’s belly.
• They are easy to clean. Removing them to clean outside is super easy because they don’t have an adhesive backing. While the rough texture of the sand mat, especially the large-grain sand mats, can make spot-cleaning difficult, you can consider washing them with soap and water every two weeks.
• They are readily available in most pet stores at a very affordable price of $10 to $40.
• Most of them ranges from 11’ x 11’ to 47.5’ x 17.5’ inches to perfectly fit your leopard gecko aquarium.
• Sand mats don’t melt.

Never Use Sand as a Substrate for Leopard Geckos Due To These Reasons

For a long time, gecko caretakers have been using sand as a substrate, but this flip-flopped because of the high risk of impaction when your little buddy consumes the sand either accidentally or intentionally.

So, sand is bad for leopard geckos and is considered unsafe to use as substrate because your pet reptile may consume it in an attempt to meet its calcium needs.

The risk is even higher in juvenile leopard geckos. So don’t even consider using sand to house the little ones.

Sand leads to respiratory problems because of the dust coming from it. And you don’t want to lose your little friend from suffocation and respiratory ailments.

Also, wet sand can grow mold or bacteria, leading to more health complications.

What to Keep In Check, Should You Use Sand as a Substrate

Despite the many risks that come with using sand as a substrate for geckos, some reptile keepers still prefer to use it substrate because scooping waste is hassle-free. Plus, your adorable lizard can easily burrow its body in addition to the sand having a natural look that matches the natural habitat of leopard geckos.

This way, your little guy can enjoy a comfortable stay in his tank for an enjoyable life between you and your pet-he’ll interact with you more often and respond to touch because he’s happy.

If you decide to use sand, make sure that your healthy adult leopard geckos is properly supplemented. So, if you choose to use sand as substrate, only use it with adult geckos (never use sand as substrate on sick geckos or juveniles). And when doing so make sure to choose fine-grained sand.

Feeding is an important aspect. As a pet parent who uses sand as the substrate in your leopard gecko, consider feeding your little guy in a different enclosure from the sand. A paper towel would be ideal in reducing the ingestion of sand particles.

Regardless of the type of sand used as the substrate, ingestion can cause impaction. Should your pet suffer from bowel impaction, consider visiting your pet vet, as this is a serious problem that may even require surgery. To reduce sand ingestion, ensure you offer your leopard gecko adequate calcium. Supplements can work well.

In addition, feeding your pet gecko insects in a dish where he can easily prey on them can help reduce sand ingestion. One way to check whether your leopard gecko is ingesting sand is by having a look at your pet’s bowel movements.

Should you notice sand particles, it’s high time for you to consider using other substrates.

Also, your leopard gecko will show signs of obstruction when he has ingested sand as a way of telling you that he needs medical attention. Typically, a leopard gecko that has ingested sand will have dark spots on the abdomen.

Yeah, impacted sand in your gecko’s bowel can be seen through the skin. Other signs include lethargy, a decrease in bowel movements, and decreased appetite.

Conclusion

Sand is the most commonly used substrate by most leopard gecko parents, thanks to its numerous benefits. It looks attractive in the terrarium, cheap to buy, and is easy to find in most gecko pets.

Besides, it is favored as a substrate because it doesn’t cause irritation on your little guy’s soft belly, distributed heat evenly, and is easy to burrow. However, there is much controversy surrounding its use in the reptile-keeping community, mainly because it is attributed to impaction when your gecko ingests it.

For that reason, you might need to opt for other types of substrates, such as sand mats. The fact that they have a bioactive mix to support a sustainable ecosystem makes them an ideal substrate for your gecko.

Plus, your little friend will be comfortable on the rocky and sandy mat that resembles his natural habitat.