What leaves for leaf litter?

[Uroplatus_lauren]

I have just set up a viv for my Strophurus williamsi and I have used play sand as substrate but looking through a few posts on the Aussie gecko thread it is suggested that they require leaf litter as well on the floor plus mixing peat into the sand to make it hold moisture better. I was wondering what type of leaves can I use to make leaf litter - I dont want to put in leaves whichwill be toxic. I am based in UK so the leaves would have to be obtainable for me.
Thanks for any help you can give.
Lauren

 

[Graham_s]

oak leaves

they are very humidity resistant and very easy to get hold of, if you don't want to go to the lengths of collecting and cleaning them yourself. The only thing that comes out of them as far as I know, are tanins.

 

[Uroplatus_lauren]

Thanks Graham, I should have remembered that - I used to use them years ago for my pygmy chams, uroplatus phantasticus and u. ebanaui lol. Looks like a trip to the local park for me them :lol:

 

[PassPort]

for my smaller species I use oak. bigger geckos get magnolia leaves

 

[Uroplatus_lauren]

Thanks - I think Oak leaves should be fine plus I live near a park with Oak trees so I'm off there at the weekend to get some. Should I oven bake them to kill off any parasites, diseases etc.?

 

[Graham_s]

Thanks - I think Oak leaves should be fine plus I live near a park with Oak trees so I'm off there at the weekend to get some. Should I oven bake them to kill off any parasites, diseases etc.?

I boil them in a pan on the hob, or fill the kettle and let them soak in the water once its boiled. Then I wrap them in foil (as we have a fan oven) and put them in the oven till they're dry. If they're not dry and they've been in there for ages, I just take them out, and finish drying them out on a hot vivarium

 

[Uroplatus_lauren]

Ok I will do that then, thanks :biggrin:
I will take a pic of the viv once it has got its leaves in - ive built them a mansion its massive but I will post more on that later

 

[Graham_s]

Ok I will do that then, thanks :biggrin:
I will take a pic of the viv once it has got its leaves in - ive built them a mansion its massive but I will post more on that later

I look forward to seeing the photos!

Something I have also done for the uroplatus is collect the ficus leaves that fall off the plants, and do the same for them.

 

[Uroplatus_lauren]

Well finally finshed my viv and here is my pic as promised...

 

[Boopster]

Hello.
The terrarium is already furnished I see but a tip is to use Rhododendron leaves. They are quite rigid and large and look a little bit like dried eucalyptus. And they survve for quite a long time in the terrarium.
Peace
/Axel

 

[Uroplatus_lauren]

thanks for that - i hadnt realised I could use those leaves as well - next time im in the park I will collect some of those too.