Buying my First Gecko

[C14H22N2O]

I've finally gathered up enough courage to make a post and ask a few questions that have forever been eating away at my brain. I'll try to keep it focused on "general" questions and take more specific ones to the appropriate forum/s. Here we go!

Firstly, I want a leopard gecko as a pet. I think they'd be an awesome pet from all the information I've gathered on them. However, secondly, I might want to get into breeding them as a hobby... probably not as a career. But first, I actually have to get one! Now, all the care/housing/husbandry questions aside, where do you think I should get one from?

Since I'll most likely get into breeding them at some point, would it be better to buy them from a breeder so that I can at least know exactly what I got (in terms of genetics)? Or would finding one I like at a pet store suffice?

I'm leaning towards paying $200-300 for one from a breeder as my first gecko, probably female. Mainly because, I never know... I might like breeding so much, it becomes more like a profession than a job. I must say, the breeding community--as represented here--seems to be a group of friendly, cool people. Which is very comforting... 'cause people get on my nerves, if you know what I mean. lol

I thought about getting an Enigma. Then I found out how much those go for... so maybe later... when I'm friend's with my AMEX again. Haha! Right now, I'm looking at RAPTORS, APTORS, and Patternless/Patternless Albinos.

I have a whole lot more questions and hypothetical scenarios in my head, but I'm gonna hold off on those for now.

 

[The Sunset Gang]

When I bought my first gecko, it was a very scary time. Make sure you do all your research so that you can provide the best care for these beautiful animals. I suggest going through a breeder. I viewed breeder's sites to find something that I liked and someone that I could trust. All the breeders on here are wonderful in my opinion. I love Aptors and Raptors, but that is just my personal preference. Patternless albino and any form of Tremper albino aren't compatible. Good Luck!

 

[C14H22N2O]

Thanks for you input. I too think that going through a breeder would be the best decision.

Hehe, I feel retarded 'cause I have been on the boards almost all day. After posting this, I found a thread almost answering my question.

*tries to think of anymore general questions*

Nah, I think that's it for now. I have some other questions that are more suited for a more specific forum.

Thanks again.

 

[LadyGecko]

Welcome to GF's!!
Whatever morph that you end up buying-I am sure that you will enjoy your new pet gecko
Since you are leaning toward the idea of breeding them in the future-I would also suggest that you buy from a breeder so that you will know the genetics behind your Leo
You also might want to get a juvie or an adult for your first gecko as they will be prone to be less skittish about any handling

Get your tank set up the way that is best for your gecko and eye pleasing to you-in that order and then have fun browsing all of the various breeder's available pages

Hope to see pics of your new Leo when you get her and please ask all the questions that you want

That is what we are here for

:main_yes:

Sandy

 

[C14H22N2O]

Thanks again. I am only liking this place more and more... same with the geckos!

Another thing just popped into my head, pricing.
How is the price determined? I mean, I can kinda understand the pricing of Enigmas and Diablo Blanco as I can't imagine how much time it took to breed them to the point of being recognized as an independant morph (I think that's the right term). But... I look at RAPTOR/APTORs and see prices all over the board. $500 some places. $85 some other places (even the same place)!

Are the genetics not as good on the lower priced geckos? Does the age of the gecko have anything to do with the price? If I ever got to the point of breeding leopard geckos as a hobby, how would even I go about pricing them?

(To be honest, I'd rather give them away to people who really want them... but, more often than not, people have to spend their money in order to truly appreciate what they'll acquire.)

(Also, I suck at pricing things... even in games I play online where you can put items up for auction... I just sell them to a vendor and get what I can instead of pricing it myself. lol)

 

[ARgeckos]

Hi MJ, I recommend getting one from a breeder. On this forum you have some wonderful and knowledgble breeders. Hey and if you find one in Maryland you could save on shipping:main_thumbsup:

 

[LadyGecko]

With the more available morphs-the ones that have been around for a while-I would definitely say that age can make a big difference in their price

A 15 or 20 gram baby very often has not even come close to showing what it is going to develop into -so the price could be much less than the same Leo at 40 grams

Depending upon how many animals that the breeder has on hand and needs to sell also influences their price

Just keep browsing all of the breeders listed here-they all have beautiful Leos offered for sale
:main_yes:
Have Fun!!

 

[yellermelon]

Yeah deffinatley get a gecko from a breeder. This forum is full of the best the hobby has to offer. As far as price, size, color, a breeders reputation...if a breeder is trying to get rid of geckos at the time/trying to hold back certain geckos..Price depends on alot. From what you have said a female RAPTOR would be a good choice for you. Theres so much going on with the leopards right now. Good luck and never EVER be afraid to ask questions. This is not one of the forums that will strangle you for asking a question..