Slippery ceramic tile -- switch to a different variety?

[MicheleVicchitto]

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Now that Donovan is finally starting to explore his enclosure, I noticed that when he walks, his feet slip a bit on the ceramic tiles.

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So I was going to go to Lowes and get ceramic tiles with a rough type of texture.

But, before I do that, I wanted to ask. In another group I am in, someone stated that using tile is bad for Leopard Geckos because it puts strain on their feet/legs. SO before I look at replacing his current tile with other tile, I wanted to see what others had to say about that.

Some day down the road, I would like to switch him to a more natural looking environment, but I really wanted to hold off on that for while until I get a firm grasp on making sure he's getting everything he needs. But if the ceramic tiles might hurt him, I need to make plans to change up sooner rather than later.

[Elizabeth Freer]

What do you think about 16 x 12 inch slate tile I linked instead? Slate offers more traction. It has the added advantage of superior heat absorption.

[MicheleVicchitto]

What do you think about 16 x 12 inch slate tile I linked instead? Slate offers more traction. It has the added advantage of superior heat absorption.

Do you mean the cheese trays? I've been looking at them. Donovan's enclosure has floor profile of 12x30 but it's really like 11.5x29.5. So I was just looking at cheese trays that are 9x6. I just don't know what to do about the extra area.

And what about what was being said in the FB Reptile Lighting group about slate and/or ceramic being hard on their feet and legs? IS that something I should be concerned about?

I'd also need to figure out how to make a raised basking area with one of the slate pieces.

I think I read somewhere on here that there is a type of glue you can use in a hot glue gun that, once it is dry, is okay for in their enclosure. I'm wondering if I used that and either some smaller pieces of slate or even one of the existing hides and just gluing a smaller piece of slate on top of it as a basking spot.

Poor Donnie. This would be so much easier if his mama wasn't so DIY challenged.

[acpart]

Some people do feel that the tile is hard on their feet. I haven't noticed any problems.

Aliza

[Elizabeth Freer]

I think I read somewhere on here that there is a type of glue you can use in a hot glue gun that, once it is dry, is okay for in their enclosure. I'm wondering if I used that and either some smaller pieces of slate or even one of the existing hides and just gluing a smaller piece of slate on top of it as a basking spot.

What a good idea, Michele! It depends whether silicone glue from a glue gun would create a lasting bond with slate & resin. Perhaps your local Ace Hardware could help?

How about glueing your "steppy thing" to one of those 9 x 6 inch slate pieces? You'd still need to raise it 2 more inches off the ground to = 4 inches tall.

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(click to enlarge)

I've seen mention of this potential problem with leopard geckos. I don't know how prevalent or genuine that problem really is. Most substrate leos & people walk on every day is pretty firm. I'm "up there" & haven't had any difficulty. My knees & hips are in good shape.

I have two large slate cheese trays. Their actual measurements = ~15 & 5/8 inches x 11.8 inches. This works perfectly for the width of my 20 long. There is some excess length.

[MicheleVicchitto]

What a good idea, Michele! It depends whether silicone glue from a glue gun would create a lasting bond with slate & resin. Perhaps your local Ace Hardware could help?

How about glueing your "steppy thing" to one of those 9 x 6 inch slate pieces? You'd still need to raise it 2 more inches off the ground to = 4 inches tall.

71VFHt3OBaL._AC_SL1500_ (2).jpg
(click to enlarge)

I've seen mention of this potential problem with leopard geckos. I don't know how prevalent or genuine that problem really is. Most substrate leos & people walk on every day is pretty firm. I'm "up there" & haven't had any difficulty. My knees & hips are in good shape.

I have two large slate cheese trays. Their actual measurements = ~15 & 5/8 inches x 11.8 inches. This works perfectly for the width of my 20 long. There is some excess length.

Ooo! That's right. I forgot about my steppy thing (which, coincidentally, arrived in the mail yesterday). I will look into whether silicone clue will work with slate.

I'll do some measurements to double check whether the cheese trays would fit. But, last night, Donovan was very active exploring his enclosure. He slips a bit when walking on the tile, but it's not as bad as I initially thought. With everything being so new for him, I don't want to just go crazy changing things again. When I clean his enclosure this weekend, what I might just do is put a paper towel (which shouldn't interfere with heat) down over the tile in some of the more open areas. At best, it will give him some added traction, and at worst, it will give him something to play with/hide under. Since I have paper towels in his humid hide and by his litter box, I know he doesn't have an inclination to eat them.

(Speaking of litter box: I bought one of those little leopard gecko litter boxes people sell on Etsy. OMG!!! He used it! Like I put in it his enclosure where he normally goes to the bathroom (I also had a folded paper towel over there), and within an hour, he was over there and he went right on the little plastic litter box!

He is definitely getting more comfortable. He crawled on my hand to get onto the stone looking hide that is also the basking area for now. Every time I put my hand in, he would come over to sniff it (well, except for once when I was trying to video him sniffing/licking my hand, and I think I startled him so he bit me but we made it up afterward so I know he didn't hold a grudge). He even let my husband put his hand in without running away and sniffed him and rested his chin on his finger. We are making real progress.

[Elizabeth Freer]

(Speaking of litter box: I bought one of those little leopard gecko litter boxes people sell on Etsy. OMG!!! He used it! Like I put in it his enclosure where he normally goes to the bathroom (I also had a folded paper towel over there), and within an hour, he was over there and he went right on the little plastic litter box!

Can you share an image of Donnie's gecko litter box?

He is definitely getting more comfortable. He crawled on my hand to get onto the stone looking hide that is also the basking area for now. Every time I put my hand in, he would come over to sniff it (well, except for once when I was trying to video him sniffing/licking my hand, and I think I startled him so he bit me but we made it up afterward so I know he didn't hold a grudge). He even let my husband put his hand in without running away and sniffed him and rested his chin on his finger. We are making real progress.

Do you think it might work for your husband to take a video while your hand is in Donnie's enclosure?

[MicheleVicchitto]

(Speaking of litter box: I bought one of those little leopard gecko litter boxes people sell on Etsy. OMG!!! He used it! Like I put in it his enclosure where he normally goes to the bathroom (I also had a folded paper towel over there), and within an hour, he was over there and he went right on the little plastic litter box!

Can you share an image of Donnie's gecko litter box?

I don't have an actual photo of Donnie's litter box (he's at home and I'm at work), but this is what they look like. It's about 2x2 inches. Donnie's is orangish in color. I bought it on a whim, so when he wandered over to it so quickly and actually used it, my jaw hit the floor. The place I ordered it from is called Stroodies. They make a lot of 3D printed items for geckos. I hesitate with a lot of them just because I worry about sharp edges. But as a fan of the show Psych, I REALLY REALLY want to get Donnie the pineapple enclosure.

litter box.jpg


He is definitely getting more comfortable. He crawled on my hand to get onto the stone looking hide that is also the basking area for now. Every time I put my hand in, he would come over to sniff it (well, except for once when I was trying to video him sniffing/licking my hand, and I think I startled him so he bit me but we made it up afterward so I know he didn't hold a grudge). He even let my husband put his hand in without running away and sniffed him and rested his chin on his finger. We are making real progress.

Do you think it might work for your husband to take a video while your hand is in Donnie's enclosure?

Yes, I'll definitely have to have my husband do the video. Although, chances are, I can do it. I just have to be more focused on what I'm doing and not be as ****y. The fact that he spent the night being so curious and brave made me a bit overly confident. He politely reminded me that, while he's amenable to getting to know me, we're still in the early stages of our relationship. Heck, I'd probably have bitten me too.

[Elizabeth Freer]

Yes, I'll definitely have to have my husband do the video. Although, chances are, I can do it. I just have to be more focused on what I'm doing and not be as ****y. The fact that he spent the night being so curious and brave made me a bit overly confident. He politely reminded me that, while he's amenable to getting to know me, we're still in the early stages of our relationship. Heck, I'd probably have bitten me too.

[MicheleVicchitto]

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Oh, and my darling husband just sent me a picture of Donnie's actual litter box (without his presents that he left me since I cleaned it up already). It's tiny: about 1.5 to 2 inches square. The paper towel is what I had put down in his bathroom corner to make clean up slightly easier, but that's the same one from before he used his box. No mess on the paper towels.
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