Hello guys and welcome back to my channel! If you’re new here, my name is Josh AKA The Dude and my passion is natural vivarium ecosystems. In this video I will be creating an Exo Terra 36x18x18 BioActive habitat for one of my favorite critters, a leopard gecko. These geckos live in the arid scrublands of Afghanistan, where they retreat to burrows and rock crevices during the harsh heat of the day. These hides are essential for escaping the desert sun and warding off dehydration. Our Terra Sahara substrate is safe for all healthy Leopard Geckos and the substrate allows for them to dig and create their own humid burrows. When you utilize our cork pieces, you can create humid hides for them or watch them create their own places to hide out. Watch your gecko display their natural potential by giving them the environment they deserve! I’m going to go over tips & tricks I’ve learned throughout my keeping experience and I’ll cover proper husbandry and care for these guys. If you have any questions, concerns or just want to say hi, leave us a comment below! Don’t forget to subscribe to be notified when we release new content.
– The Dude Abides
– Website: www.theBioDude.com
– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThatBioDude/
– Instagram: TheBioDude
– TikTok: TheBioDude
Location: The Bio Dude Inc Houston
15116 Highway 3 Bldg 4
Webster, TX 77598
Phone: (717) 305-0684
https://www.thebiodude.com/pages/search-results-page?q=leopard%20gecko
Products mentioned in this video
ENCLOSURE
.:: Exo Terra 40 breeder (36x18x18)
SUBSTRATE/BIODEGRADABLES/INOCULANTS
.:: Terra Sahara – https://www.thebiodude.com/collections/bioactive-substrates/products/terra-sahara-36-qt-bag
.:: BioShot – https://www.thebiodude.com/products/bio-shot-per-6-qt-bag
.:: Soil Cal Plus CaCO3 – https://www.thebiodude.com/collections/soil-inoculants/products/calcium-carbonate-soil-inoculant
.:: Southern Palm Leaves – https://www.thebiodude.com/collections/biodegradable-leaf-litter/products/southern-palm-bark-2-qt
.:: Sphagnum moss – https://www.thebiodude.com/collections/biodegradable-leaf-litter/products/aaa-new-zealand-spag-moss-6qts
.:: Leaf litter (lmore options available on the website)- https://www.thebiodude.com/collections/biodegradable-leaf-litter/products/maple-leaf-litter-6-qt
.:: Biodegradable page – https://www.thebiodude.com/collections/biodegradable-leaf-litter
.:: Thermometer/Hygrometer – https://www.thebiodude.com/products/vivarium-electronics-digital-thermometer-hygrometer
LIGHTING/UVB
.:: 22″ Glow & Grow LED – https://www.thebiodude.com/products/22-tincman-herps-led
.:: LED Props – https://www.thebiodude.com/products/led-props
.:: Shade dweller 7% – https://www.thebiodude.com/products/arcadia-shade-dweller-d3-7-uvb-t5-bulb-fixture-12
.:: Exo Terra glow light – https://www.thebiodude.com/products/exo-terra-reptile-glow-light-clamp-lamp-medium
.:: Arcadia deep heat projector 50w – https://www.thebiodude.com/products/arcadia-deep-heat-projector-50-watt
.:: Arcadia halogen heat lamp 50w – https://www.thebiodude.com/products/arcadia-halogen-heat-lamp-50-watt
.:: Exo Terra thermostat 300w – https://www.thebiodude.com/products/exo-terra-thermostat-200-watt-free-shipping
WOOD/ROCK
.:: Cork tubes – https://www.thebiodude.com/collections/reptile-cork-bark/products/cork-bark-flats-for-reptile
.:: Cork flats – https://www.thebiodude.com/collections/reptile-cork-bark/products/1-lb-cork-bark-tubes-free-shipping
.:: .:: Ghostwood (other sizes available on the website) – https://www.thebiodude.com/collections/reptile-cork-bark/products/ghostwood-12-14
.:: Creek rock – https://www.thebiodude.com/collections/terrarium-rocks-minerals/products/bulk-case-oklahoma-creek-rock-assorted-sizes
PLANTS
.:: 3″ pot Haworthia coarcata – https://www.thebiodude.com/products/3-pot-haworthia-coarctata
.:: 4″ pot Spaghetti agave – https://www.thebiodude.com/products/4-pot-succulent-spaghetti-agave
.:: 4″ pot Hedgehog aloe – https://www.thebiodude.com/products/4-pot-aloe-hedgehog
.:: 6″ pot prickly pear cactus – https://www.thebiodude.com/products/6-pot-prickly-pear-cactus-opuntia
.:: 4″ pot Elaine cryptanthus earth star – https://www.thebiodude.com/products/5-pot-elaine-cryptanthus-earth-star
.:: 3″ pot Spider aloe – https://www.thebiodude.com/products/3-pot-spider-aloe
.:: 4″ pot Striped cryptanthus earth star – https://www.thebiodude.com/collections/desert-terrarium-plants/products/4-pot-striped-cryptanthus-earth-star
.:: 4″ pot Echeveria lilacina – https://www.thebiodude.com/collections/desert-terrarium-plants/products/4-pot-echeveria-lilacina
ACCENTS
.:: Natural water dish (Medium) – https://www.thebiodude.com/products/natural-rock-water-dish-medium
.:: Exo terra aztec water dish (Small) – https://www.thebiodude.com/collections/reptile-water-dishes/products/exo-terra-aztec-water-dish-small
DIETS/SUPPLEMENTS
.:: Bug grub – https://www.thebiodude.com/products/bug-grub-1-lb
.:: ReptiCal Herptivite
.:: Exo Terra calcium
source
I thought it was learned that leopard geckos dont live in the deserts but in the forest areas of india and pakistan etc. Specifically in dried up rivers (which is why i thought you mentioned humidity. The equator equivalent of the USA between virginia and florida.
Like youre whole set up is on point but what confused me was when you brought up them being in the desert. 🤔
You are phenomenal!!! A literal gem, thank you so much for the detailed video and I will be using these products to make a terrarium for our class pet. The kids will absolutely love having this amazing setup.
What morph is the gecko in the thumbnail
Question, online you are sold out of the clean up crews for Leos. What kind of Isopods should I get for my bioactive enclosure? Also how many should I get?
I just got one and I saw this vid and now I’m doing exactly that but I might need to get a bigger terrarium for it but the self sustaining fiasco is AWESOME
You mentioned having the new set up “cycle” for a few weeks. If I’m getting my daughters gecko a 40 gal set up to upgrade from the 20 gal long, and I’m doing bioactive, am I not supposed to put the gecko in immediately after set up?
Love this, but you should be EXTREMELY cautious if you insist on housing geckos together. Even if they seem fine, they could snap and kill eachother without warning.
Amazing set up. I’m about to purchase the terra Sahara 40 gal breeder kit so Thank you!
A question about your grow light. You said you place it “on top of my LED props”. What do you mean by that?
This is awesome. About to order the 40gal kit and do the same thing. Do you ever use a backdrop or do you just leave the glass open?
Do you thing I could add jasmine to my Leo terrarium
This is now my favorite leopard gecko setup video ❤😅 keep up with the awesome information 😊
I was going to use a layer of clay balls and fabric layer then use a feeder for water. Is that unnecessary for the arid environment? I'm going to put some aloe, and a couple other succulents in it. Also some isopods
Awesome video. Looking to get a leopard gecko for my sons 5th Bday. Definitely have to stop by the shop as I am local.
I literally just see no need to get a fully bioactive terrarium on a Leopard Gecko that's been bred in sterile DOMESTIC settings since the 90's, especially if you consider their habitat it's an Iraqi desert.
kinda crazy he mentioned Pennsylvania and texas cause me and my mom live in Pennsylvania and my dad lives in Texas😮
That look more like spider set up lol
Where could I buy field crickets for my leo
Would the gecko eat the isopods?
It's refreshing to get all this useful information without trying to hard sell everything from your shop. I'm not going to shop with you because I live far away on a different continent, but I would trust your shop were I live in TX. I wish you can keep your spirits alive and enjoy working with animals and won't get ground down in the race of focusing on profit margins.
I literally lost my leopard gecko for two year and she’s absolutely fine. Have a Peruvian rainbow rainbow boa. Glad you are gettin it for YouTube
About once a week I will give the cool side a thorough misting and my gecko LOVES it. He always immediately comes out and starts licking up the water.
What tank dp you recommend??
Actually curious, why no drainage lair? Now clay or rock?
Has anyone ever told you that you look like Ben Folds?
Cool video thanks for sharing I'm about to get a few
Do you have detailed written kit instructions with the steps of setting it up from the kit I bought? And how much water to add and where? I have medium low tank.