Just curious...

[DragonBeards]

I noticed that a large majority of the posts on here are in relations to leos. Nothing wrong with that of course (I like the little guys myself, and soon as I get more room plan to get a few), but I was wondering. Why the huge popularity (especially with breeding)?

 

[Tony C]

They are easy to care for and breed, naturally docile, come in a wide variety of color morphs, and are generally inexpensive. What's not to like?

 

[T-ReXx]

Not to mention leopard geckos are probably the closest thing to a domesticated lizard that exists. With the variety of genetics and virtually limitless possibilities of combinations, not to mention the potential to always create better looking examples through line breeding, the small size and ease of keeping which allows for relatively large collections in a small space, and general popularity and positive attributes of leos are excellent pet lizards for both beginner and advanced hobbyist alike, you pretty much have a perfect pet reptile.

 

[acpart]

I believe the forum was started pretty much as a leopard gecko forum with ever-expanding additional forums about other geckos and lizards (Kelli can correct me if I'm wrong).

Aliza

 

[Grogshla]

If you lived in australia like me and you are not allowed to have leos in australia you will realise how beautiful these geckos are. The geckos in australia are very skittish and don't like to be handled. Breeding is simple and normally species specific with no real morphs happening. Thats why leos are so great. They are dosile, unique with breeding and easy to take care of.

 

[M_surinamensis]

If you lived in australia like me and you are not allowed to have leos in australia you will realise how beautiful these geckos are. The geckos in australia are very skittish and don't like to be handled. Breeding is simple and normally species specific with no real morphs happening. Thats why leos are so great. They are dosile, unique with breeding and easy to take care of.

If it helps at all, the rest of the world moans and cries and gnashes its teeth and rends its clothing every time they see a photograph of an Australian species that was not established outside of the country when the two-way ban went into effect. You may think leopard geckos are amazing (they aren't bad) but words cannot describe how overjoyed I would be if I was somehow allowed greater access to your entire population of native species.

A few years back... probably seven or eight at this point... I was actually in contact with some Australian herpers that were trying to buy bearded dragon sperm from some of the high color lines. I was more than willing to obtain and ship some while taking huge piles of their money but the idea got brutally crushed at some point as they were trying to navigate the red tape involved with importing viable reproductive cells of a species covered by the ban from outside the country.

 

[gothra]

If you lived in australia like me and you are not allowed to have leos in australia you will realise how beautiful these geckos are. The geckos in australia are very skittish and don't like to be handled. Breeding is simple and normally species specific with no real morphs happening. Thats why leos are so great. They are dosile, unique with breeding and easy to take care of.

So bad to hear leos are not allowed in Australia! I have an Australian passport and was thinking maybe we'll stay there when my husband retire, but that won't be an option now because I won't part with my leos for anything.

I kinda agree with you about liking the leos over the aussie geckos. I have an amyae and a levis, they are super cute to look at for sure; but I prefer the hands-on interaction with my leos.