[minimagic]

How do they go long term on a substrate they wouldnt live on in the wild? Even if there captive bred? And if there are kept long term in a basic container compared to a fully set up enclosure with all the coolest decor and hiding places? I have my Thicktailed Gecko in the later but now reading he doesnt need a heat lamp? Have I gone overboard?

[hognose]

Lots of questions here so I'll start by asking you to clarify the first. What do you mean by "long term on a substrate they wouldn't live on in the wild"?

What substrate are you keeping your geckos on?

[minimagic]

I mean if a species lives in a sandy enviroment in there wild form then will they be happy/healthy/thrive if there captive bred form is kept on say coconut fibre. I have the coconut stuff atm.

[hognose]

ah, ok. I believe that most people keep them on sand with some using a sand/peat mixture. I've never personally seen anyone suggesting keeping them on coconut fiber but I may have missed it. Where did you get this info?

Thanks!

Chris

[minimagic]

The place I got some gear from said to use it so I bought it? but I dont really like it and might change to red sand anyway? Apparently the coconut fibre is one of the worst for heat transfer so Ive had to thin it out heaps over the heat pad. Just doesnt look natural

[Yoshi'smom]

Lots of breeders keep Nephrurus on sand without any problems. I too had thought that for sure it would cause impaction. But if you look at pictures of these guys in they're natural habitat you'll find that there's very little risk of impaction on sand. It should make you feed more comfortable about sand.
I'm getting my first N. levis levis in the spring when shipping weather improves. I'm going to try a mixture of play sand and excavator clay.

[Riverside Reptiles]

I've always kept mine (even hatchlings) on sand. These animals LOVE sand and love to tunnel and burrow in it. I've never heard of one becoming impacted from sand. My guess would be that your levis will die if kept long term on cocofiber. It's simply not an appropriate substrate for these animals. Please look through the old posts on this forum for proper set up and husbandry. They don't require a lot...but they're a lot less forgiving of mistakes than something like a leopard gecko. It needs to be right or they won't thrive. Considering that you live in Australia, finding appropriate sand shouldn't be an issue.

[minimagic]

Thanks I will get sand tomorrow and swap over.

[mad4400]

He has a milli not levi.
They do fine on a mix of play sand and coco peat.
Straight play sand will suffice but will require more regular misting at the cool end.