[Mike Rico]

Hey folks,

I've had my little guys for a little over a month now and love them, think I need more

my question is during feeding I cant help but notice a couple of strikes and misses and coming up with nothing but a mouth full of repti sand. These are the first geckos I've ever owned and I've heard of impacting. Am I heading for future disaster ? or just being overly cautious?

[Elizabeth Freer]

You probably need a quartz-based sand, rounded crystals, like Jurassic Reptile Playsand from Jerry Bergosh, geologist. Silica-based sands have sharp, pointy crystals which can accumulate in the gecko's gut and cause impaction.

Check out your current sand under a microscope.

[oli]

I second that. With good sand impaction is no problem at all, the animals will eat some sand and that's fine. I've never had an impacted nephrurus or any other animal for that matter.

[Mike Rico]

Ive been using Zoo Med's repti sand..... I ve read alot of people recommend it but couldnt help but worry some, when I see a strike or 2 and no crix just sand.

[Elizabeth Freer]

Hi Mike ~

You are quite right to worry now before it is too late!

You want quartz sand (rounded granules). Jurassic Reptile Playsand by Jerry Bergosh is what you are looking for.

Find out what ZooMed's Repti Sand has in it. If is has silica sand (sharp pointy crystals), don't use it. You can check it out under a microscope.

This is an x-ray of 2-3 year old leopard gecko Peach who ultimately died from her sand impaction despite the best first aid possible: Leo has sand impaction