Leopard geckos as an industry

[Treefolk]

Like it or not, the industry of leopard geckos is what drives our community. From new genetics being discovered to new combinations of those genetics, these attributes that we all love are all a result of men and women creating something new for discovery and/or monetary gain (hopefully both).

Some observations that I've noticed is that EVERYONE breeds leopards, that the amount of combinations of morphs is quickly being brought from concept to reality and that the general price of leopards is dropping every year.

So ultimately, what will happen to this industry in the near future? Will it thrive or is it quickly dying?

Opinions?

 

[jxl22]

Excluding the mass producing people who feed the national pet stores, it's a pretty niche market.

IMO it won't drastically change size wise. People will come and go. Leos are already pretty well known to the average consumer. I'd think that other reptiles will grow and become more popular, EX Blue tongue skinks.

Then again, i know nothing

 

[Olympus]

I think it will keep going, with the typical cycle of new morph comes out, sells for a lot, then slowly decreases, another morph comes out, etc. Perhaps as a hobby it may continue to grow, as keeping reptiles is slowly becoming more and more popular and less stigmatized (so long as the laws don't change to ban exotics in the future.)

I think it was just 4-5 years ago that the whiteout morph in AFT geckos sold for quite a bit (about $1,000 or more if I remember correctly?) and just this last Fall I bought one for $300. Goes to show how quickly prices go down in these things as soon as a morph floods the market. But since it has been replaced by several more new morphs that are now the ones selling for thousands. In 5 years they're also be just a few hundred, once other serious breeders have added them to their own projects and start producing animals.

 

[Treefolk]

I think it will keep going, with the typical cycle of new morph comes out, sells for a lot, then slowly decreases, another morph comes out, etc. Perhaps as a hobby it may continue to grow, as keeping reptiles is slowly becoming more and more popular and less stigmatized (so long as the laws don't change to ban exotics in the future.)

I think it was just 4-5 years ago that the whiteout morph in AFT geckos sold for quite a bit (about $1,000 or more if I remember correctly?) and just this last Fall I bought one for $300. Goes to show how quickly prices go down in these things as soon as a morph floods the market. But since it has been replaced by several more new morphs that are now the ones selling for thousands. In 5 years they're also be just a few hundred, once other serious breeders have added them to their own projects and start producing animals.

I feel this is pretty accurate. I'm really happy I didn't let myself get into AFTs last year because the $10000 I would have spent can be bought at a fraction of the price. It's funny that quality Amels have jumped in price while every other morph has dropped in price.

I posted this because I have a small Leo project I'm debating doing and I wanted to gauge if people are falling out of favor with Leo's.

 

[acpart]

I've bred leos for 9 years and sold out nearly every year by Jan. or so (I have 4 left from the 58 I produced this past season and have a tentative commitment from someone to buy them). I think it would be a bad idea for someone to decide to breed huge numbers of average leopard geckos unless they have an in with the pet industry. However, I think there will always be room for small numbers of interesting looking, healthy geckos.

Aliza

 

[Elgreco]

I would like to start up breeding soon. Small scale. I don't expect to make money but would like if it could sustain itself.

 

[stager]

I would like to start up breeding soon. Small scale. I don't expect to make money but would like if it could sustain itself.

That can easily be done just the initial cost of breeders and a rack that will set you back. Unless your like me and just when you start making some money back you go and throw 450 down on a new breeder. Hard to stop the addiction.

 

[Elgreco]

Indeed. I think 2 males and like 2 or 3 females is a good place to start? I want to breed white and yellows.

 

[Olympus]

When it comes to breeding reptiles and getting anything back (maybe even some profit!) I'll always remember what a veteran of his hobby told me once, "Big money in, big money out." And that's so true, I think. If you make the investment into a handful of really great animals, those offspring are way more likely to sell for what you ask. I see new, aspiring breeders all the time try to find bargain geckos, buying each one at maybe $50 or significantly less, and then wonder why there is no demand for their offspring. And then there's no way to make any money back if you're selling those babies at $20 a pop.

Invest in a handful of really beautiful, quality animals and you're way more likely to get what you ask for them (and be able to sell them quickly.)

It's true in chameleons, where I'm more experienced in breeding, and I see it's still true for all the other reptile markets.