Best online reptile stores?

Keagan · Feb 9, 2015

There's a few posts about this same thing however they don't quite answer my questions.

My questions are what are some online reptile stores that are trusted? I know there's always risks etc etc

I'm looking for sub-adults to adult sized leopard geckos that are fairly cheap, $70-$100 range (I know cheap is not always best).

I've been looking at some sites and of course some people say they are horrible, others say "They're amazing!" So I want to know your personal experiences.

Some sites I've been looking at are:
Undergroundreptiles.com

Reptilecity.com

lllreptile.com

Backwaterreptiles.com (Heard of some deformities from here).

Floridaherps.com

Reptilesbymack.com

If you have used one different from these ones, please let me know and I'll take a look at them!

cowana · Feb 9, 2015

I have never used any of them, but I would be wary of some of the mass producers. I'm not sure how detailed of a genetic background you will get with each gecko (such as exact parentage, hets, possible hets, hatch date, etc.) A lot of times the animal you see online is just a representation not the actual one you'll get.

I do know that Reptiles By Mack has the Reptique which is their finer quality animals and those ones have specific details and pics of the individual animal located in the Reptique section. I did tour Reptiles By Mack a few times when I worked for SuperPetz and was doing our herp pick ups (it is only a few towns from where I live) and it was a clean, organized, well run facility when I was there. The animals well-being was high priority but that was a few years back, so I can't speak for today.

cowana · Feb 9, 2015

I think I may have already said this. I am sorry if I have, I'm not trying to beat a dead horse.

What I suggest trying is contacting some breeders and let them know what you are looking for and your price range. A lot of times there website isn't up to date or they may have a gecko that fits your needs that hasn't been posted yet for whatever reason. The worst they can say is they don't have what you're looking for, and you aren't out anything.

You may want to try the Forums Classified pages as well. You can post what you are looking for and maybe a hobby breeder will have what you want.

I'm NOT saying there is anything wrong with those companies as I have no experience in ordering from them. I'm just wary of people/places who mass produce animals for profit and produce sooo many different species.

Tongue Flicker · Feb 9, 2015

I'm also an active member in frogforums.net. That being said, I'm seeing a lot of members as well the moderators who have great testimonials for LLLreptiles

KyleB · Feb 9, 2015

I recently purchased a gecko from Underground reptiles. I received a call after my purchase to inform me about shipping times and a call the day the gecko arrived to insure everything was satisfactory. The picture may not have been the same one I received but she is just as nice looking.

Neon Aurora · Feb 10, 2015

The only one of those I have ever ordered from is lllreptile several years ago. I had a decent experience, received a healthy leopard gecko that at least appears to be the morph I ordered. Now, that being said, I'm definitely not confident in the genetics and have chosen not to use the leo I bought from there in my breeding projects.

So I would say that some of those sites (I suppose I can only speak for lllreptile) are probably fine to order from if you're just looking for a pet. In any case, definitely better than many chain pet stores.

One thing to keep in mind is shipping. No matter where you buy from, shipping is $40-$50.

There are also many good breeders that sell some of their geckos as "pet only" and they are considerably cheaper (definitely in your price range). GeckoBoa, for example. All in all, I usually feel better buying from a breeder than a mass producer. While I didn't have a bad experience, I know that other people have. The mass producer sites sell animals more like a business, and it just makes me personally a little uncomfortable.

Keagan · Feb 10, 2015

Neon Aurora said:
All in all, I usually feel better buying from a breeder than a mass producer.

I would too, for this reason I'll also be attending a reptile show next month. However, I've looked at some breeders websites and some of the prices are, lets be honest, overpriced($700-$1000); its my guess that I can expect these same prices at the reptile show, yes or no?

cowana · Feb 10, 2015

Not in my experience. The most expensive I saw was $300-400 which were geckos that took a lot of time and complex breeding to get the desired morph and were prime specimens. Most were under $150-200.

cowana · Feb 10, 2015

Check out Art Geckos... I have heard great things about Ben and he almost always has some Leos for sale on his Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/ArtGeckos.Ben

Kristi23 · Feb 17, 2015

If you're looking to buy geckos, please try breeders first before buying from a retail store.

As for recommendations, do a quick search on the business section here or the BOI on fauna.

Please make sure any replies do not contain many negative stories or it would need to be in the business section here where full names are required for posts. Recommending businesses are fine for the most part in this thread.

cowana · Feb 17, 2015

Kristi23 said:
Please make sure any replies do not contain many negative stories or it would need to be in the business section here where full names are required for posts. Recommending businesses are fine for the most part in this thread.

Sorry, I wasn't trying to break any rules. [emoji20]

Kristi23 · Feb 17, 2015

cowana said:
Sorry, I wasn't trying to break any rules. [emoji20]

I didn't see you post any negative stories, so you aren't.

It was just a general statement to make sure no one does in this thread.

cowana · Feb 17, 2015

Oh I haven't! I thought we weren't really supposed to suggest any breeders either. [emoji53]

Kristi23 · Feb 17, 2015

cowana said:
Oh I haven't! I thought we weren't really supposed to suggest any breeders either. [emoji53]

That one is kind of iffy. I would just suggest that people check out some breeders websites and look at the BOI to judge for themselves if they are good or bad. I don't want to see this turn into a "this breeder is the best" kind of post.

cowana · Feb 17, 2015

Kristi23 said:
That one is kind of iffy. I would just suggest that people check out some breeders websites and look at the BOI to judge for themselves if they are good or bad. I don't want to see this turn into a "this breeder is the best" kind of post.

Totally understandable. It wasn't meant to be taken that way. Just happened to know that he sometimes runs sales and is reputable, with price being a bit of a concern (I'm sure there are others as well that run sales... Plenty that are also reputable), over going to a mass producer. However, I will do what you suggested from now on.

Munea · Feb 17, 2015

The only website I trust is BHB Reptiles! I've watched their YT channel for years so I absolutely trust them. I bought a gecko from them 5 months ago and she's just the sweetest thing! You'll have no problem finding something under $100 there. I hope this helps!

Kristi23 · Feb 18, 2015

Munea said:
The only website I trust is BHB Reptiles! I've watched their YT channel for years so I absolutely trust them. I bought a gecko from them 5 months ago and she's just the sweetest thing! You'll have no problem finding something under $100 there. I hope this helps!

Anyone can have a website. I do. There is a difference with retail wholesalers who either mass produce or buy animals from others to sell. BHB does breed their own animals. The only thing about buying from a larger business vs a hobby breeder is not always getting the full genetic background on an animal. If you want to pick a company, definitely research them, too, and ask lots of questions about the animal. It's much better to buy from someone like BHB who does breed in house.

geckolabs · Feb 18, 2015

geckolabs · Feb 18, 2015

rowsley · Jul 26, 2015

We made an appointment with Reptiles by mack to get our girl Zelda, who was on the reptique. They claim not to keep track of genetics though. They usually will only bring out 2 to choose from, as they don't let you walk around the building to look around. When ordering online you just take the risk of getting whatever they send, unless using the reptique. I communicated with them by email up until the day we visited. Very good experience with them, and saved quite a bit on shipping by picking her up. My girl Zelda from them

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