|
|
|
New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/6/2012 9:18:46 AM
Posts: 44,
Visits: 32
|
|
| I'm very aware that sand is dangerous for leopard geckos because of the risk of ingestion, impaction and possibly death! I've heard that young leopard geckos are more susceptable to this and that very few "calcium sands" are actually calcium but just a mixture of the two.... So I bought repti-lite which claimed to be low impact and have spherical grains of pure calcium carbonate that are very soluble and easily digested. But then I was looking at someone's profile for their deceased leopard gecko *RIP*...cause of death? Impaction by mealworm!?!!!? My gecko gizmo loves mealworms and I've heard that geckos fed mealworms usually have higher life expectancys...but could they really kill my gecko?
|
|
|
|
|
Average Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 9:56:57 AM
Posts: 544,
Visits: 2,100
|
|
The short answer is yes. Chitin (what an insect's exoskeleton is made of) is not easily digested by reptiles. Some species of insects have thicker skin than other insects and some have more surface area. Small insects have a greater surface area/total body weight ratio so there is a larger percentage of them that cannot be digested. Meal worms are basically the worst feeder insect as far as this is concerned. Crickets have much thinner skin and more guts so they are much healthier. If this is confusing or you have more questions make sure to ask.
2.2 Bearded Dragons (Spyro, Gyra, Smaug & New Girl)
2.2 Gold Dust Day Geckos (Krypto, Carby, Indi & Fluora)
0.0.1 Sulcata (Rigby)
0.1 Emerald Tree Boa (Ness)
0.0.3 Green Auratus Dart Frogs (Spot, Dot & Rorschach)
0.1 Monster (Eryn)
- jlablitz.yelp.com for reviews of SW USA reptile stores.
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4/3/2013 3:00:27 PM
Posts: 1,680,
Visits: 2,106
|
|
Sand does not cause impaction. Mealworms or any insect does not cause impaction.
What does cause impaction is poor treatment given by the herp owner themselves.
A healthy, hydrated leopard gecko can easily pass any sand it consumes. Now obviously, if it eats very large amounts, the chance of it passing through is slim. But why would a gecko eat mouthful after mouthful of sand?
The same thing applies to mealworms. If your gecko is healthy, it should have no problem digesting them.
There's always a chance that the most healthy gecko could get impacted, but of course, the chances are rather slim.
Steve
|
|
|
|
|
Average Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 8:35:01 AM
Posts: 886,
Visits: 4,116
|
|
Lets just forget about this "impaction issue" as everyone believe many different and sometimes crazy things, but just to settle it, do not worry about the sand. To answer your question about the mealworms, I have kept and bred leopard geckos on diets composed solely of mealworms. As long as the mealworms are fed a healthy diet and occasionally dusted they will be fine. The only thing you need to do is keep the ambient temperature at 75F and the hot spot close to 90-95F. As long as the temperatures stay slightly above normal your leopard gecko will not have any issues digesting the chitin.
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 3/23/2013 8:14:27 PM
Posts: 1,577,
Visits: 3,316
|
|
Steve 95 (11/7/2011)
Sand does not cause impaction. Mealworms or any insect does not cause impaction.
What does cause impaction is poor treatment given by the herp owner themselves.
A healthy, hydrated leopard gecko can easily pass any sand it consumes. Now obviously, if it eats very large amounts, the chance of it passing through is slim. But why would a gecko eat mouthful after mouthful of sand?
The same thing applies to mealworms. If your gecko is healthy, it should have no problem digesting them.
There's always a chance that the most healthy gecko could get impacted, but of course, the chances are rather slim. Thaaaannk you. A rational answer. The impaction boogeyman refuses to die in this hobby. Do you think that insectivorous herps eat only thin skinned bugs in the wild? Of course not. They will eat whatever they can get. I hear the same fear about snakes, which leads to the silly practice of feeding in a separate container. Keep your herps hydrated, and at the proper temperature and there wont be any problems.
0.1 Mexican Black Kingsnake
0.1 Western Hognose
0.1 Childrens Python
0.1 Everglades Ratsnake 0.1 Woma Python 0.1 Rosy Boa 2.2 Crested Geckos "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence" - Carl Sagan Ridicule is the only weapon which can be used against unintelligible propositions.
-Thomas Jefferson Science flies you to the moon. Religion flies you into buildings.
|
|
|
|
|
New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/6/2012 9:18:46 AM
Posts: 44,
Visits: 32
|
|
Thanks for your responses they were very helpful
Actually in the wild leopard geckos eat smaller lizards & even scorpions!
scorpions have pretty thick skin and lizards have bones...
I forgot about that interesting little detail 
So I'm assuming impacted geckos eat their calcium sand because they aren't receiving enough calcium/vitamins in their diet...
I know breeders often put a small bottle cap of calcium in their tanks so that geckos can eat any additional calcium they may need (especially important for gravid females) I keep a bottle cap of pure calcium in my tank at all times and my tank is warm, has a moist hide for easy shedding, and I vitamin coat all feeders...So maybe I'm just panicking
When I read that it kind of freaked me out...
If my gecko did become impacted I'm sure I would notice his lack of eating, lethargic-ness, and there being no mess for me to clean-up
I still prefer using a sand that is considered safe.
If he shows any signs of discomfort I will take him to a vet
Maybe that person's gecko was a gravid female whose vitamins were all going to her eggs...or maybe the gecko had some nutrient deficiency...or wasn't properly hydrated
Its reassuring to hear that meal worm impaction isn't a very common problem, but just to be safe I'll start feeding him baby mealies instead :]
|
|
|
|