Breeding for beginners - Some questions!

[bethanboys]

I'm just doing my initial research right now to even see IF I want to get into breeding, perhaps it's too complicated and too much $$ involved then I want to get into.

However I have a female tremper albino (or so I'm told, she matches pretty closely with pictures I've seen, but she's a little lighter, her yellows aren't as yellow as some of the pictures I've seen) from a petsore, so I know that's not as desirable since she's not "proven".

But I'd just be a beginner anyway and doing this as a fun project for my sons and I, perhaps to make a little extra money on the side.

So questions -

What is the basic set-up, things needed, for the beginner breeder?

What would be a good male to get to breed with my tremper albino? I really like the looks of the mack snows or the jungles. I'm not looking to spend over $100 at this time. We'll see how serious I get in the future.

Where are babies usually sold? Through websites online or sometimes are they taken to reputable pet stores?

How many extra tanks would I need? Right now I have a 29 gallon and 3 ten gallons.

Anything else I need to know?

Thank you thank you!

~Bethany

 

[yellermelon]

Well, you could mabey get a mack het trempor. That would be were I started. Then a hovobator, I dont know if you should use the thermostat that comes with the hovabator or not. I bought a better one myself. The female needs a place to lay....and well..you need a good thermometer to monitor the temps in incubator...Thats all I can think of off top of my head. Keep in mind I am also a beginer..Just figured I would reply. Good luck.

 

[bethanboys]

Thanks!

I've been doing lots of research today and getting some good ideas.

This message board is going to come in handy if I really dive into this!

 

[Stitch]

To start, you won't make any money. You will probably end up spending more then you make. I do it just because I have a passion for animals (reptiles particularly).

How long have you had your Leo?
Take the time to really get to know how to care for these animals. Breeding leos is simple when compared to trying to breed other types of reptiles. It does not mean it's simple to do.

Here are the BASICS:
You will need an egg laying chamber (as simple as another hide). An incubator w/ t-stat, numerous types available. All the cage equipment for the babies (she can lay between 10-16 eggs). Not to mention a Male Leo. Supplements for the female and all the food for the babies.

The Hovabator is the cheapest that I know of at about $40-50. Then you need the T-stat that can range from $40-100+, depending on the type and manufacturer. Then the male Leo, well that all depends on what morph you get ($40 or higher).

 

[bethanboys]

Thanks for the info!

This will be mostly for a hobby, and a good lesson for my sons - especially my oldest son who's a huge reptile lover and it's because of him that we were even introduced to leopard geckos. He's only 8, but his dream is to someday be a reptile guy or own a reptile zoo and travel the world to research/find other reptiles. LOL

Anyway, we've had Pele for almost a year now and she's been great. She's been VERy easy to take care of and is pretty calm and tame as well. She doesn't squirm or run when being held, she seems to enjoy it. She's a lot of fun!

I look forward to buying a male for myself, for a pet, and then we'll just see what happens. However I also plan to buy all of the appropriated breeding equipment to get started. I will make sure they have seperate tanks until I'm ready for that.

Thanks!

 

[routzong]

Funny...

I also just got my first Leo as a gift for my 8 yr old who wants to be a herpatologist. And I'm already chomping at the bit to get another one... and thinking of trying the breeding in the future.

 

[Wlreptile]

chosing a male

A very important thing is to get a male who belongs to the tremper strand do not breed with her anything that is from the bell or las vegas strand of albino. U can get her a het albino that would look like a normal bt will have genes for albino if u don't want to spend much get a normal male it would be cheaper and do ur first breeding ull get hets for albino breed them ull get albinos. Leopard gecko eggs are not so hard to hatch we hatch owrs at work in the bathroom that is 80°-88°f.
And selling to petstores is trickie u have to sell them a couple for not so much money and yea they will make more money cuz they will sell them at a higer price. I say go for it its a nice expirience not everyone gets to do it.