Breeding geckos for high school project...

[DragonBeards]

In order to graduate at my high school, I have to do a culminating project, and I thought it would be cool to breed geckos as part of that project (maybe make the project centered around how long it would take to make a profit when breeding geckos, or something to that effect). And since I have an empty 45g, I can't think of a better use for it.

Anyways, I was wondering what gecko I should breed. A large part of the project will be research, so I have some time to decide, but I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions.

Nothing that HAS to eat crickets please. I can stand beetles, but not anything that will jump out at me. And I would prefer them easy to breed, so I don't have to constantly purchase feeders.

Nothing too commonly bred. I don't want to have an impossible time selling them just because it has been done 1000 times before.

And that about all I can think of. Any suggestions?

 

[Dog Shrink]

Hahaha make a profit breeding geckos... not unless it's a really rare morph that you'll end up paying easily $500 for a single leo. Honestly you're better off breeding mice and selling them to a pet shop to get a project for school. It'll take a lot mroe than a year to successfully breed a pair of leos. I think you really need to spend a LOT of time in the breeding/husbandry forums to get a good idea fo exactly what you're proposing getting into hon. Breeding any animal with the idea of making a profit is unrealistic at best honestly and unfair to the animals. What'll happen to the leos after you're done the project? You know they can live upwards of 20 years right?

 

[DragonBeards]

OK, maybe I phrased that wrong. What I was meaning was seeing how long it would take. For example, I would do some calculations after my first set and see how many after that it would take roughly to be out of the hole. And of course making a profit wouldn't be my only reason.

Goodness knows, I could be in the hole $3000 and still love every one of my animals to pieces. I just need something to stick on the culminating project proposal as a reason for why I am doing it. I love to death every animal that comes into my house. Hense why I'm looking for an excuse to use animals in some way for my culminating project instead of doing something else that I don't love as much

 

[Dog Shrink]

What exactly is the point to the project? what do they want you to learn with a culminating project? I see in your signature that you have a dog... There are a lot of great dog things you can do for projects thru training, behavior elements, that are things you can take long term like intro to scent training... that could run a good 6 months. Other good points are you don't jeopardise any animals that you may breed or accumulate because of this project and subsequent lack of funds (or desire) to care for them, and you still get to work with animals. Imo bringing more leos into the world when teh amrket is already flooded with them is a little senseless if you can get a good project doing something you like with out the negative ramifications that could befall these project animals. I know you say you love them but it is a fine line between hobby and hoarding, well maybe not that serious but it's mroeso the point I'm trying to make.

 

[DragonBeards]

I specifically said I didn't want leos. Thats why I said nothing too common.

 

[gixxer3420]

Since you dont like feeding crickets knob tails geckos are out. Have you thought about breeding day geckos or leachies?

Just some suggestions for you.

 

[T-ReXx]

Exactly how much reptile experience do you have? Fact is, most of the species that "aren't bred a million times" are that way for a reason, either difficult to properly maintain or breed. The majority of first time breeders begin with species like leopard and crested geckos because they are easily maintained and bred by even the unexperienced.

And just because a species is commonly available cb, doesn't mean it's going to sell. The reptile market is fickle and changes almost daily. Personally, depending on how much experience you have, I'd pick a species you like to maintain, not one that you feel will sell easily.

 

[Reborn]

Exactly how much reptile experience do you have? Fact is, most of the species that "aren't bred a million times" are that way for a reason, either difficult to properly maintain or breed. The majority of first time breeders begin with species like leopard and crested geckos because they are easily maintained and bred by even the unexperienced.

And just because a species is commonly available cb, doesn't mean it's going to sell. The reptile market is fickle and changes almost daily. Personally, depending on how much experience you have, I'd pick a species you like to maintain, not one that you feel will sell easily.

+1 couldnt have said it better:main_thumbsup: Another thing tho. It sounds like you want others to supply you with species but the thing is no one breeds geckos they dont personally like. I ADORE leos and could care less if there breed 1000 times. Coz ya know what? Each one is different. theres never one the same.

Why cant you do something else? Like the study on breeding roachs? Alot easier to breed, you can easily sleep them to reptile owners, can learn there gestation period, see how many each produces(like see if bigger females make more babies and smallers less) stuff like that. You could make profit off that. Not nothing worth bragging about but in time you could.

 

[Dog Shrink]

Sounds a lot like what I was saying...

 

[Retribution Reptiles]

If you have your heart set on a gecko that's inexpensive and easy to breed i would suggest pictus geckos. Normals go for $45 for males and $65 for females and the breed like rabbits....but if you stress them too much you can kill them very easily

 

[maggiee22195]

You could try crested geckos! They eat gecko formula and mealworms. And they can be kept in small enclosures! About 10 gallons per gecko.
Are you open to any other reptiles or amphibians? If so, pm me or reply back, I know a bunch that you could breed.
And if you don't find any reptiles, hedgehogs, short tailed oppossums, and even sugar gliders would be cool to breed and if you bred any of those, hedgehogs would start at probably $40-$60 each, short tailed oppossums start and $90-$180 each and sugar gliders anywhere from $75 to $200 each. (maybe.)
Let me know if you need help!

 

[Jordan]

okay, cheap, easy to breed? ... Mourning geckos. theyre 3 inches long, cost like $30, and the best part is you dont need a male to breed. they are photogenic or whatev er the word is and basically the females lay fertile eggs without having to breed with a male. They can essentially just clone themselves. and theyre easy to keep cuz you can keep them at room temp.

 

[DragonBeards]

OK, so I thought I'd give an update on to what was going on. I've decided to forgo the breeding and go with my original plan, which was keeping a Uromastyx (I just can't get these guys out of my mind, they are so awesome). I'm hoping by doing tons of research (even though I was gonna anyways), and when I get my lizard, documenting everything, then near the end of the year building a caresheet based on everything I have learned, it will be enough to count towards a big enough project. I find out today if my advisor accepts the idea or not. Here's hoping!

Thanks for all the input, and I am defiantly taking note of some of these species. My empty 15 g is starting to look really lonely...

PS:maggiee22195, I love all those little creatures (especially the sugar gliders, I have done a fair amount of research on in the past) but in my house, they would never be safe, unfortunately. I have two cats that love to eat little mammals (but for some reason leave the reptiles alone). In the future though, I am definatly planning to keep all three.

 

[maggiee22195]

OK, so I thought I'd give an update on to what was going on. I've decided to forgo the breeding and go with my original plan, which was keeping a Uromastyx (I just can't get these guys out of my mind, they are so awesome). I'm hoping by doing tons of research (even though I was gonna anyways), and when I get my lizard, documenting everything, then near the end of the year building a caresheet based on everything I have learned, it will be enough to count towards a big enough project. I find out today if my advisor accepts the idea or not. Here's hoping!

Thanks for all the input, and I am defiantly taking note of some of these species. My empty 15 g is starting to look really lonely...

PS:maggiee22195, I love all those little creatures (especially the sugar gliders, I have done a fair amount of research on in the past) but in my house, they would never be safe, unfortunately. I have two cats that love to eat little mammals (but for some reason leave the reptiles alone). In the future though, I am definatly planning to keep all three.

Cool! Yeah, I love all three! I actually had a Mali Uromastyx! They are awesome lizards! I recommend them also! The caresheet will be easy and fun for you to do! Talking about the care, lighting requirements, feeding, handling, caging, socialization, growth rate would be a good one, weight gain, and many more!