what is a good substrate to use for Leopard Geckos?

[thorny surge]

I use excavator clay on the cold side and cabinet liner on the hot... Go ahead tear me apart

[dusk spire]

hmmm

ig if you think it’s fine i can’t do anything

[low zinc]

I’ve been using a mix of topsoil, sand, rock, and clay, and it’s been working very nicely for me.

[low zinc]

I’d tell you there are better options, but I don’t think anyone here would tear you apart.

[thorny surge]

@low zinc does the top soil not go in the little ear holes? I use a soil, moss, sand mix for my fire skinks.

[low zinc]

Idk, but they’re made to live on dirt

Fire skinks also have ear holes

[low zinc]

I’ve never seen dirt in the ears of any leo, but they also don’t really use their faces to help them get through the dirt like a lot of lizards do

She just uses her arms to dig under things

[thorny surge]

@low zinc I had been considering just having a dig box area inside the enclosure

[low zinc]

You should try it out. Sometimes they don’t really use dig boxes because there’s not a lot of space or they prefer to dig under something, etc.

[soft quest]

Ik it’s a controversial topic but I’m curious on what people recommend

[dusk spire]

i will always recommend an 60% fertilizer free topsoil, 40% playsand mix because of its benefits but more importantly its convenience

[chilly bramble]

60% organic fertilizer free topsoil and 40% playsand like mass said, also dont think its rlly controversial lol

[dusk spire]

well there’s the no loose sub people plus the people who say carpet, pure sand, etc are the subs that should be used

[chilly bramble]

Yeah but generally if you dig deep enough it doesn't become too argued against the mix

[ashen gull]

sand and topsoil mix is likely the best. textured tile is also appealing, though not the absolute best option