hi all i have bought a young pair of leos not quite sure of age but still really small and i was wondering if i could use compressed woodchips for substrate its the sort you would use for hamsters?

thanks in advance
Dan

no i really wouldn't use that... when you feed you'll find they'll eat some of that easily and also its very dusty stuff so it will lead to all sorts of respiritory problems. If they are still young I really would just use paper towel for now.

Keep in mind the normal environment for leos is rocks and very compact soil in dry areas of Pakistan and Afganistan. The best substrate, in my opinion, is something like tiles or reptile carpet. Carpet is exactly what I have in mine and its does look good...

__________________

Yep. Definitely don't use the wood chip. I have a lovely natural slate look tile in my viv and my leo loves to lie on it (with the heat mat underneath) to warm his tummy as he digests his dinner.

It takes a while to warm up when you first put it in but holds the temp nicely. Also, it only cost about £4, cut to my measurements, at my local tile shop so definitely worth the investment to save your leos from a possible nasty death from impaction!

i wasnt going to use it my m8 told me to yesterday but i said no so i thought i would ask the experts and see what you guys thought at the min i have got them on newspaper thanks for your help

newspaper is fine until they get a little older... if your going for the good looking viv type I'd go with some rough slate as meantioned... put in some rocks and a few climby things and they'll be well happy

__________________

I've got mine on lino and it's great - you can chose the colour to match the environment and decor colour, it's very cheap (even free if you get cut offs), simple to cut to size, incredibly easy to keep clean, and warms up an absolute treat for the leos to digest!

when they get a bit older i will have them on sand

Yikes! Have heard sand isn't great either. I'm no expert but on the excellent advice I have received from the pros on this site it's best to avoid anything they can ingest.

Stick to tiles or lino, add some stuff to climb on (make sure they can't reach the light though) and you should have happy leos for years to come.

well its the great debate, sand... some people use it, others don't. Then do you get playsand or calci sand??

My personal opinion is that leos shouldn't be kept on sand. I do use sand however for my beardies and I prefer to use playsand.

__________________

calci sand what are the leos natural enviroment sand??