Can you help me?

[MommytoKM]

We are thinking of getting my 9 year old son a leopard gecko for Christmas (he has shown amazing responsibility taking care of our cats and his praying mantis). Everything I've read says that leopard geckos are a great "starter" lizard. I have just a few questions if you would be kind enough to help.

Would you agree that it's a good first lizard?

How much do you pay for food? Say every week?

How often do you have to change the substrate/carpet? I see that you can wash the carpet stuff, but how often do you have to replace it?

What do you do with the lizard while you are cleaning out its cage?

And are you supposed to handle this type of lizard very much? Or is it more of a cool, but leave in the cage, type of pet?

Do you have to take them to vet for checkups regularly?


Thank you very much!! My husband and I have never had a lizard/reptile pet, so we are ALL beginners. I'm trying to research every little thing before we decide for sure.

Please help!!

 

[lisa127]

Would you agree that it's a good first lizard?
Yes, a leopard gecko is a great first lizard. As long as you do your research first!

How much do you pay for food? Say every week?
That depends on if you feed mealworms or crickets, or both. Mealworms are cheaper to feed. Here where I live I pay $2.50 for 100 mealworms. How much you use per week will depend on your gecko and how much he/she eats. I use 100 mealworms in about one week.

How often do you have to change the substrate/carpet? I see that you can wash the carpet stuff, but how often do you have to replace it?
I change my substrate twice a week approximately. I just use newspaper for flooring. Some people use paper towels and some use slate tiles. I don't personally like the carpet.

What do you do with the lizard while you are cleaning out its cage?
Someone holds him while I clean his cage, or I put him in a separate small container.

And are you supposed to handle this type of lizard very much? Or is it more of a cool, but leave in the cage, type of pet?
You can handle leopard geckos pretty much daily, once they are settled into their new home and established. I keep handling sessions short though, less than 15 minutes usually.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

Lisa gave good answers. The only thing I'd add about the handling issue is that it depends a lot on the particular gecko's personality. Some leos are great to handle, while others never warm up to the idea. If you want him to be able to handle it, getting an adult that you know is friendly would probably be a good option.

Make sure you do tons of research on these guys before you get them. Many people don't realise how much goes into it. You need proper temperature gradients that need to be monitored with digital thermometers and maintained with lights or under tank heaters, a calcium + vitamin supplement, hides on the cool and warm sides, and a hide with a moist substrate that they can go in to help shed, with access to water (obviously) and belly heat to digest their food. Also, they live much longer than most people realise (easily 10 yeas), so make sure this is something your son will stay interested in and not get sick of within a few months.

And be wary of anything the people in the pet store tell you. They might mean well, but the fact of the matter is, not every store can have a reptile expert on its payroll, so they very well might give you bad information that will lead to injury or death of your pet. Never use calcium sand or heat rocks.

They make wonderful pets for people who really enjoy them, but they're not for everyone. I personally have a leo and adore having her and will probably get more. Like all animals, they should be considered carefully before acquired.

~Maggot

 

[Ozy]

I use Slate tiles in my leo's viv. I would NOT use loose substrate of any kind. To start off I would use paper towels. My leopard gecko is in a 20 gallon long aquarium with a ZooMed heat mat on one side which is controlled with a Lutron Lamp Dimmer. If you don't control the heat on those they will get WAY too hot. She has a humid hide which is just a shallow Glad container with moist eco-earth in it and a hole cut in the lid. I also have a warm hide and a cool hide/water dish combo. Gutload your mealworms and crickets with Repashy Bug Burger and SuperLoad, dust every single insect with Repashy Superfoods Calcium Plus. I also have a ZooMed deep dome lamp fixture with a red bulb over the cool side in case it gets TOO cold. The lamp is also controlled with a lamp dimmer. DO NOT use ANY type of basking light or bright lights. Geckos don't like this and it can hurt their eyes. They don't need UVB lighting or any other special lights.

 

[BeeBopper]

My daughter is turning 9 next week and is getting her first gecko (first reptile) for ther birthday. We have been researching for a long long time...I asked questions here and i actually keep a notebook with all the important things like proper temps, dusting schedule, etc. I keep that for myself because even though I know she is very responsible and will take great care of her gecko I want to have a quick "go-to" reference for myself so I can be checking things (like temps) often to ensure her baby stays healthy and happy!

 

[Cesar_Da_KIng]

My daughter is turning 9 next week and is getting her first gecko (first reptile) for ther birthday. We have been researching for a long long time...I asked questions here and i actually keep a notebook with all the important things like proper temps, dusting schedule, etc. I keep that for myself because even though I know she is very responsible and will take great care of her gecko I want to have a quick "go-to" reference for myself so I can be checking things (like temps) often to ensure her baby stays healthy and happy!

Thats great, I have one to for when im doing reaserch and to keep all my records in. You should get a digital kitchen scale and you can weigh them weekly to monitor weight for health.

 

[Cesar_Da_KIng]

MommytoKM, when im cleaning out my reptile cages i usaully put them on my shoulder. Leo make great first pets and i have a feeling your son will love it if he has a pet mantis, a lot of little kids dont like geckos because the dont have the attention span for them cause they sleep most of the day but it sounds like your son would really enjoy herps. And dont get the leo from a pet store especially the chain ones, get it from an online breeder or go to a reptile show (usually cheaper there)

 

[katie_]

Uh if I put a gecko on my shoulder it would for sure commit suicide. Maybe best to keep it in a lap near the floor.

 

[SC Geckos]

I would also suggest getting a juvie/adult gecko. Especially since it will be your first lizard. Babies can be alot more fragile when it comes to care.
Also find out what the gecko is being fed (crickets, mealies, supers) so you can offer the same. Theres nothing worse than getting a gecko that as been fed crickets its whole life and you offer mealies and cant figure out why it never eats.