Also known as reindeer lichen, it is a lichen found in Arctic lands in great abundance. Reindeer moss provides different needs as it is used for different purposes, which include its health benefits because it is actually edible and medicinal when properly prepared.
Because it grows naturally in a variety of climates and constantly clusters on the ground, which is its style, it can withstand a variety of weather conditions. It has a coral-like appearance due to its naturally spongy texture, which gives it a lovely accent for any terrarium. Its integration into a dynamic live background activates and inspires its attractive look.
It is safe for animals and is purely natural. Now we want to be sure if reindeer moss is only safe for some animals or for all of them. Is reindeer moss safe for leopard geckos? This is our question for the day; kindly pay attention while I explain further.
Is Reindeer Moss Toxic To Leopard Gecko?
Every leopard gecko needs quality bedding for relaxation and comfort. Reindeer Moss is an absorbent, soft plant with its antibacterial properties. Right inside the tank of leopard gecko, this plant is used to provide a moist environment as well as bedding. Treated dry reindeer moss is soft and ready to use; it is retardant to flames and also nontoxic.
It is not toxic to leopard geckos, but the only thing to be concerned with is its high acid content, which helps it provide severe discomfort whenever it is consumed by humans. In humans, it can cause nausea and stomach cramps if eaten when it is not properly cooked. However, human beings can eat it comfortably after draining out the acids in it.
To give your leopard gecko a good enclosure, it is excellent to use green sphagnum and golden moss, as they are both excellent and can help provide a perfect shed by maintaining and storing humidity at the most favorable level.
What Is Leopard Geckos Used For?
A member of the lizard family, apart from bearded dragons, the leopard gecko is one of the most popular lizards kept as pets. They are the type of geckos that dwell on the ground and can be found in the wild or kept as pets. They are known to be easy to tame and very docile; they are probably the first species of lizard kept in captivity.
They are popularly known in the pet market because they can be easily bred under the conditions of supervision. This is probably why most of them sold in the pet trade are mostly from captivity. They are useful and effective in controlling the insect population, but they also serve as prey for other species. Leopard geckos have eyelids unlike other geckos, and they also have sticky toe pads, which is why they don’t climb.
What Does The Leopard Gecko Eat?
Leopard geckos are insectivorous and prefer to feed on a diet of live insects not bigger than the size of their heads. They love to eat wax worms, small-sized locusts, crickets, bugs, earthworms, fruit flies, mealworms, grasshoppers, and moths; in fact, mice and pinkie (for adult geckos) are served to them at least twice a week.
Many of them have an obsession with bugs to the point where they will consume any kind of bug that is offered to them without giving it a second thought. While adults should only be fed three times a week, younger geckos should be fed daily. Before consuming them, these insects must always be kept hydrated with fresh veggies and clean water.
All these make leopard geckos easy to feed, but first you must learn the kinds of bugs that are best for them and how often to feed them so that they won’t get overfed because they are easier to overfeed, and this is not good for them as it can cause discomfort and indigestion troubles.
What Are Geckos Good For?
Leopard geckos are very useful to their owner; they are referred to as an effective household pest controller as they primarily prey on all those insects that may be disturbing your household, especially when the lights in your house are on and are attracting insects. They help to control beetles, spiders, scorpions, and even crickets as insectivores.
Apart from it’s physical effectiveness, some people believe that leopard geckos from olden days have always represented good luck. They also believe that it protects them from unforseen circumstances that might befall their home. These are just mere beliefs, and whether they are true or not is still not clear. Trying them out by yourself will help you know if they are true or not.
Interesting Facts About Geckos
Here are some of the interesting facts you must know about leopard geckos that might interest you.
1. The more fat they have, the healthier they become, so unlike every other animal, during the hibernation period, they store fat in their tails.
2. When attacked by predators, they will drop their tail; this tail is used to confuse predators by its continuous wiggling, allowing the gecko to escape and avoid being hurt.
3. After they are done shedding, they are bound to eat their own skin.
4. An exact number of eggs are laid each time (2), and they are buried underground afterwards.
5. With their bumby back and smooth front, natural habitats such as sand and rock give them time to protect themselves against them.
6. One habit that helps them in dust storms is licking their eyelids, as this helps to keep them clean.
7. Their nails help them when climbing rocks.
8. Their possession of different colors and morphs sets them aside in the pet trade.
9. Geckos in the wild have multiple color options and a duller pattern than those in captivity.
Can Leopard Geckos Eat Fruit?
As natural insectivores, their meals should consist mainly of bugs; their body system can only digest insects and the like. This means they cannot eat either fruits or vegetables as they cannot digest nor manage them. However, the fact that they are animals means they will eat fruits if they find them in their enclosure, but that doesn’t mean that it is good for them. This could equally mean that they are hungry—a sign for you to know that they are hungry and need proper food.
Even without being part of their major meals, here are some fruits that might be attractive to them and must be offered in their pureed form as a treat, at least once every week: pears, guava, bananas, plums, apples, mango, blueberries, papaya, pineapple, watermelon, and grapes.
Can Leopard Geckos Drink Water?
Of course they can, just like most animals, but you should be more concerned with soaking them in water, as they love to do that more often. Fresh waters should be given to them in a very large water dish that will be large enough to contain its entire size. Provide your geckos with shallow water bowls right inside their tank purposely for bathing and drinking, as this also helps them shed their skin routinely. Soaking in shallow, warm water should last 20 minutes, on average, three times a week. Then, try and change the water daily to keep it bacteria-free and fresh.
Spraying with water can also be useful. This can be done with a spray bottle, and you may find them leaking droplets of water. They also have the habit of foraging at night as nocturnal animals. So don’t be surprised if they get water from your tap in the process.
Do Leopard Geckos Have Venom?
Any animal having a mouth and teeth is capable of biting; the only distinction is that certain animals habitually bite, while others only bite in response to danger. Although leopard geckos can bite, this will rarely happen if you handle them carefully. Their fangs hardly ever pierce human skin, and they might not inject poison when they bite.
However, their saliva is toxic, can irritate human skin when you come in contact with it, and can eventually cause a bacterial infection unless you immediately wash the spot with any antibacterial soap once you get bitten.
Summary
The soft, absorbent herb known as reindeer moss has antimicrobial qualities. This plant is utilized to offer bedding and a wet atmosphere just within the leopard gecko’s tank. Dry reindeer moss that has been treated is nontoxic, soft, and ready for usage. It also retards flames.
The only thing to be concerned about is its high acid content, which helps it cause extreme discomfort anytime it is ingested by humans. Leopard geckos do not find it poisonous. If consumed raw, it can make people sick to their stomachs and give them cramps. However, once the acids are removed, it is safe for humans to consume.
