Buying from a perstore.

[TattooAngel]

So, if I get my parent's permission, I am going to buy a leopard gecko once my house is finished. (I don't want to buy one beforehand because I want to avoid unnecessary stress to the animal when I move.) Now, I'm planning on buying it from a petstore, but I'm not sure exactly what to watch out for. I've already visited two pets stores that sell leopard geckos. Here's an explanation of what I found in each of them.

Petco: They had one baby leopard gecko living in a small (about 9 inches long) tank with a slightly thin tail. The tank included one hide, a water dish, repti-carpet, and a really bright lamp. There was also a cricket hopping around. I did not see the leo's head, I only saw the back half of his body. He was half hidden under his half log hide and looked like he wanted to sleep and be left alone. The price was roughly around 30 dollars.

Pet Kingdom: They had three juvenile leopard geckos living in a small (about 12 inches long) tank with plump tails. The tank included one hide, a water dish, and what looked to be a really tick layer of crushed walnut for bedding. There weren't any crickets in the cage. They all looked active, but they looked like they wanted to get out because of the size of the cage. Their price was expensive though. They were on sale for 100 dollars each. They weren't even a rare morph, just regular leopard geckos.

I didn't hold any of these animals, I just looked at them. I was hoping on some input. I cannot buy from a breeder because there aren't any in my area. Reptile shows are held too far away, the closest one is about a five to six hour drive.

If I do end up buying one of these animals in a few months to come what is something I should look for when handling them before I buy one?

 

[Bbugs]

Check their tails, which you have done. Then check their eyes. If they are milky or glassy, then they might have a problem. Check their size compared to age. Ask them how old they are. I you can see a spine, they are too skinny.

You also need to hold them. Put pressure upward on their legs. If you feel pressure back, they are strong. If it is just limp, they are not healthy.

Lastly, check their breathing. If it is raspy, stuttered, or uneven, they might have a respiratory infection. Just check those things before you decide to buy them.

If I were you, I would go with the more expensive ones. You will have your pet for a long time, so don't cheap out on it. Another thing, you should check the classified section of the forums. A lot of breeders and members sell very high quality, happy pets. For $100 you can find a really cool morph too!

To summarize, if you have to choose between those two stores, get the more expensive one. If you can order online, go to the classifieds and check them out. You won't regret getting a happy, healthy, cute little gecko from people that actually know what they are doing!

 

[Fencer04]

There is nothing wrong with getting from a pet store. Assuming the worst is never a good way to go. Just check them out like the previous poster said.

I would recommend going with a private breeder for a little more comfort, but it will cost more. Unless you can find one in your area you may have to pay shipping. But you will get a top quality gecko and support the local community at the same time.

 

[roger]

There is nothing wrong with getting from a pet store. Assuming the worst is never a good way to go. Just check them out like the previous poster said.

I would recommend going with a private breeder for a little more comfort, but it will cost more. Unless you can find one in your area you may have to pay shipping. But you will get a top quality gecko and support the local community at the same time.

Definately stay away from pet stores.First off u can probably get them from a breeder and u know they are healthy.When u get them from a pet store your not sure if there are parsites involved.I would never buy from a pet store

 

[fl_orchidslave]

You can get a guaranteed healthy gecko shipped to you for $100, maybe less, from a breeder. Plenty of time to look around since you're not ready quite yet This being your first leo, it's better to get one that won't have a struggle trying to recover from some kind of issue. So many times cheap geckos end up costing a lot when medication and additional supplies are added up.

 

[Pokersnake]

I also would go with a breeder. And if you aren't comfortable with shipping or ordering online, you could put up a wanted ad asking for a local breeder with conditions like how many miles you can travel to get your gecko, maybe meeting up at a local reptile show, etc. And many breeders will give you support in raising your animal, some even will give life long support. In my opinion, for $100 you could have exactly what you want as opposed to something good enough.

 

[prettyinpink]

Wow! $100... I've never seen them that much at the first store you listed.

As the others have said you can get one shipped to your house for $100 or even less. I've seen some very pretty morphs as well in that price range. So if I were you I'd get one from a breeder.

Also, as the others have stated...if you get one from a good breeder you can keep in touch. It's always nice knowing where you got it from

 

[Imperial Geckos]

Definately stay away from pet stores.First off u can probably get them from a breeder and u know they are healthy.When u get them from a pet store your not sure if there are parsites involved.I would never buy from a pet store

I disagree. When i was a kid i use to get my geckos from Pets Mart and Pet Co all the time... i preferred it.. becuase they even offered a 14 day guarantee.. no questions ask..and i still think they do... these big chain pet store have more experience now..and lately (at least at my local stores) all reptiles are very well taken care of.. yes they might be in smaller cages than you would like... but do some people actually think breeders keep there baby geckos in anything larger than a shoebox? I know breeders that keep 2 babies per shoebox... So realistically.. one has to go through precautions when purchasing from ANYWHERE! Breeder or Pet Store.. Does anyone for sure know if the gecko that come from breeders are free of parasites? ...really???

 

[prettyinpink]

I disagree. When i was a kid i use to get my geckos from Pets Mart and Pet Co all the time... i preferred it.. becuase they even offered a 14 day guarantee.. no questions ask..and i still think they do... these big chain pet store have more experience now..and lately (at least at my local stores) all reptiles are very well taken care of.. yes they might be in smaller cages than you would like... but do some people actually think breeders keep there baby geckos in anything larger than a shoebox? I know breeders that keep 2 babies per shoebox... So realistically.. one has to go through precautions when purchasing from ANYWHERE! Breeder or Pet Store.. Does anyone for sure know if the gecko that come from breeders are free of parasites? ...really???

Yes hatchlings are usually kept in a shoe box as we've all seen when people post pictures of their rack, but they are usually housed ALONE or with one other... also this is fine as a hatchling.

Second, we aren't suggesting to go to ANY breeder...of course there are breeders that are bad and there are reputable breeders that we'd assume the OP would go to.
Also, we are not saying ALL pet stores are bad. Because they aren't. I've been to some of the 'chain' stores that I've been happy with and almost bought one because they took such great care of them. But there are also others that are indeed bad.

I don't agree with what you stated, but that's just imo.

 

[Bbugs]

My local pet store sells full grown leos for $50.

 

[THE WHISPERER]

IMO, I would avoid supporting chain stores. I recommend doing your self a favor and buying from a reputable breeder, or reputable mom and pop shop.

 

[Imperial Geckos]

Yes hatchlings are usually kept in a shoe box as we've all seen when people post pictures of their rack, but they are usually housed ALONE or with one other... also this is fine as a hatchling.

Second, we aren't suggesting to go to ANY breeder...of course there are breeders that are bad and there are reputable breeders that we'd assume the OP would go to.
Also, we are not saying ALL pet stores are bad. Because they aren't. I've been to some of the 'chain' stores that I've been happy with and almost bought one because they took such great care of them. But there are also others that are indeed bad.

I don't agree with what you stated, but that's just imo.

Reference to the housing... isnt the OP talking about a baby leo being kept in a 9" long tank, that sounds like plenty of room for a baby leo.. assuming it has the right width ofcourse..

Now...the comments i made were a response towards Roger, which stated..."Definately stay away from pet stores." "When u get them from a pet store your not sure if there are parsites involved."

I never said breeders were bad nor good. Nor did i say pet stores were the best or the worst.

I said..that ONE (whoever it may be) needs to throughly inspect their animals and make sure they are healthy before they buy..no matter who you are buying from.

 

[tlbowling]

I got my first leo from pet smart. I had by-passed geckos there time and time again b/c they didnt look healthy...but then one day I was there getting crickets for my beardie, and I peered in to the leo tank, and here was this one healthy looking little gecko peering back at me and my bag of crickets, seeing if I was going to offer him any. He was super alert, and I was interested. So I asked them to feed him, and he ate.:main_thumbsupalways a good sign) I also took a look at the others that were in with him, and they were all nice and filled out and healthy looking, no thin tails (which would have made it a no-go b/c if ANY of the others didnt look good, he could be infected also). I also looked at the droppings in the cage, all looked nice and healthy. So it was a go :main_thumbsup: and he's an extremely healthy 2 year old now

So if youre going to buy from a pet store...if you do everything the first poster suggested, and also add the stuff that I suggested. It is possible to get a healthy gecko from a pet store if that is what you want to do.

But seriously...I'd look into breeders, esp. at different times of the season...sometimes they just GIVE them away Right before the winter hit, I got 2 really nice geckos from a breeder for $25 plus shipping...in total I spent $68 for 2 (shipped)! So it can be done, you just gotta keep your eyes open....you're in the right place

I didnt know about this place before I bought my first one.

 

[Reborn]

IMO neither sound great. Even tho them plumped tailed ones seem good how long had they been there? Probably just arrived as a 12 inch tank with 3 geckos with one hide wont result in plump tails itll result in one plump tail and a thinner one then a skick thin one. Plus bites. Then ofcourse petco psht just skip that all together. MANY go there buying one ad they last just long enough to excied the warenty on them( seriously if they have to put a warrinty on a LIVE animal you know somethings wrong)

Even tho its a bit more look for a breeder! Please save yourself a headache! Lots of people on here have pet only leos available(check near the bottom on the home page here) you simply pay shipping which means you'd be paying 50. But then it comes down to you. Ive had lots of friends think they could save pet store geckos and they ended up dieing(minus 3). Personally i feel its better to buy from a breeder anyday. Would you buy a puppy from a backyard breeder? thats how i see it. pet stores are just that just with reptiles.

 

[T-ReXx]

Some pet stores are good, some are bad. I will tell you from my experience working at one of the chain stores in the past that the animals aren't quarantined, they are often exposed to wild caught animals in store, and are never treated for internal parasites. Not to say that some chain store employees don't try to take care of the animals, but imo, most don't put serious effort into preventing parasite and disease transmission in an environment where cb animals and wc animals are often kept side by side. They don't wash their hands between enclosures, feeders are recycled, etc. Going with a reputable breeder who has a closed collection and practices quality quarantine procedures is going to give you a much better chance at getting a healthy animal to start. With any pets store in reality you know nothing of the animals background and risk(though on what level varies with the quality of the store) parasites and disease transmission coming in on wc animals kept in the same store and cared for by potentially uncaring or uneducated employees. Now personally, I won't purchase animals, supplies, ANYTHING from any of the chain stores because I don't support them. I find the entire company considers the health and well being of their reptiles to be less important than making a buck. The individual employee may want a sick animal to be treated but getting it done means going through a load of corporate red tape and frankly the cost of replacing an individual animal compared to veterinary treatment isn't even a contest to them. So I refuse to support any of them. But that's me.

A reputable breeder will provide accurate records of the animal's lineage and will guarantee health. You will also know things like exact age, sex and potential het genes, things that pet stores usually don't know or don't care to give out. You are also directly supporting a reputable member of the reptile community as opposed to a corporate giant that doesn't even consider reptiles a focus of their sales. Finding a local breeder shouldn't be hard, there are leopard gecko breeders all over the country, and shipping an animal in isn't all that expensive. You also have a much wider selection of morphs through a breeder, giving you a chance to get an animal that really visually appeals to you.

Yeah, breeder direct, all the way.

 

[THE WHISPERER]

Some pet stores are good, some are bad. I will tell you from my experience working at one of the chain stores in the past that the animals aren't quarantined, they are often exposed to wild caught animals in store, and are never treated for internal parasites. Not to say that some chain store employees don't try to take care of the animals, but imo, most don't put serious effort into preventing parasite and disease transmission in an environment where cb animals and wc animals are often kept side by side. They don't wash their hands between enclosures, feeders are recycled, etc. Going with a reputable breeder who has a closed collection and practices quality quarantine procedures is going to give you a much better chance at getting a healthy animal to start. With any pets store in reality you know nothing of the animals background and risk(though on what level varies with the quality of the store) parasites and disease transmission coming in on wc animals kept in the same store and cared for by potentially uncaring or uneducated employees. Now personally, I won't purchase animals, supplies, ANYTHING from any of the chain stores because I don't support them. I find the entire company considers the health and well being of their reptiles to be less important than making a buck. The individual employee may want a sick animal to be treated but getting it done means going through a load of corporate red tape and frankly the cost of replacing an individual animal compared to veterinary treatment isn't even a contest to them. So I refuse to support any of them. But that's me.

A reputable breeder will provide accurate records of the animal's lineage and will guarantee health. You will also know things like exact age, sex and potential het genes, things that pet stores usually don't know or don't care to give out. You are also directly supporting a reputable member of the reptile community as opposed to a corporate giant that doesn't even consider reptiles a focus of their sales. Finding a local breeder shouldn't be hard, there are leopard gecko breeders all over the country, and shipping an animal in isn't all that expensive. You also have a much wider selection of morphs through a breeder, giving you a chance to get an animal that really visually appeals to you.

Yeah, breeder direct, all the way.

Very well put :main_thumbsup:

 

[tlbowling]

Very well put :main_thumbsup:

I totally agree.:main_thumbsup: Personally I'd never go pet store again, breeder all the way:main_thumbsup: now that I know better. But I just wanted the person to know, that if a pet store is the route they want to take, that it is possible, if you are observant and lucky

 

[GeckoGurl]

I agree that a breeder is always #1 choice... On the other hand I do have two store bought geckos. My Avatar is Zoe an Albino Normal Leo that I got from Petco. I went into their store for months til I found her she was the only Albino and looked good very alert I held her and checked her over good. My second was from a mom and pop store. Though I do not regret my first purchase mom and pops are normally better. They care for their animals as it is there personal loss when they die or get ill. I told them I wanted a Leo.. preferably something other than a normal... They called a week later letting me know some were in and in about 3 weeks (they quarantine) I could come take a look. I asked many question and the guy passed the test he knew what he was talking about so I bought him/her and its going great. I now have a juvie Murphys Patternless and I paid $19.95 for. In any case try to make a wise purchase and try to hold back on the impulse to just grab one cause you can not wait any longer.

 

[prettyinpink]

Exactly as the others are saying... Usually a reputable breeder is the safer way out in the long run

Just as many of us say breeders are the better way, we are in no way saying that 'All' pet stores are bad. I've seen many pet stores like I said earlier where I'd purchase from if they had what I was looking for, or if I wanted one at the time. That being said I'd rather purchase from a breeder.

 

[roger]

I disagree. When i was a kid i use to get my geckos from Pets Mart and Pet Co all the time... i preferred it.. becuase they even offered a 14 day guarantee.. no questions ask..and i still think they do... these big chain pet store have more experience now..and lately (at least at my local stores) all reptiles are very well taken care of.. yes they might be in smaller cages than you would like... but do some people actually think breeders keep there baby geckos in anything larger than a shoebox? I know breeders that keep 2 babies per shoebox... So realistically.. one has to go through precautions when purchasing from ANYWHERE! Breeder or Pet Store.. Does anyone for sure know if the gecko that come from breeders are free of parasites? ...really???

Im here in toronto.I'm just going on what I see at the big stores.Again I would never buy from a pet store.i dont see them house very well at all.Just my experience.Where u are that may be different.