Need help deciding...Fat Tail or Leo?

[Kelsey12]

I am trying to decide on whether to buy an African Fat Tail Gecko or a Leopared Gecko. I like the sound of the AFT's temperment...ideally I want a gecko that is calm and easy to handle. Also, when it comes to substrate with the AFTs, is it the same with Leos in the sense that you should use tile or paper towels, or is Eco Earth a possibility too? If just tile, would a humid hide be fine for humidity?

 

[Lena]

For what you're looking for I'd recommend getting a fat tail. I only have one but I've noticed she is SIGNIFICANTLY less antsy and much more calm and handleable than my leos.

As for substrate, I'd suggest a planted terrarium because they need a bit more humidity than leos do. Eco Earth and Bed-A-Beast are both substrates I've heard work well.

 

[THE WHISPERER]

For a very calm leo I recomend getting one from Marcia at Golden Gate Geckos. All my geckos from her are very sweet and love to be held for they receive a lot of attention and love.

 

[Kelsey12]

Well shoot you guys...I just talked to someone on the phone about how they have a crested gecko that is calmer than any of his leos that's for sale. I really like the look of them too and the care. Decisions decisions! lol

 

[acpart]

I have mostly leos, but also an AFT pair and a crestie. My leos range from very antsy to very calm. My AFT's are calm, easy to handle and live in a planted tank with eco earth. My crestie also lives in a planted tank but is not calm at all and can be held for only short periods of time. Your best bet is to go somewhere where you can see all of them (like maybe a reptile show) and buy an older juvi or an adult that you can handle before you choose.

Aliza

 

[HepCatMoe]

i worked in a reptile specialty store and dealt with many individuals of the 3 gecko species you are thinking of.

you can hold them all, but in general aft's are the calmest and crested geckos are the craziest.

 

[LeopardGeckoMom52688]

I love my afts. I would sell all my leopard geckos just to own all afts. They are my favorite. I own all three and some of my cresteds are calm but over all I love my afts. I have one named little foot. She got my hooked about three years ago. I went on a mad search trying to find one and then I found a second then a third and now I have 6 about to get 7 and 8. I just love them. I can't remember his name on here but there is a guy on here from michigan that took his gecko to our local reptile show and walked around with her all day. My sister can do the same with mine. They are just so dociel and friendly. They are my favorite gecko. I use one moist hide in my tank they all get into. Here is my set up, I can't find a picture. i will take one. I have a 55 with sliding front doors with 4 females right now. all eating super worms and meal worms and I have so many hides i have to search for the girls.!!

 

[fatty conn]

hey Kelsey, I'm a proud Fatty owner, and judging from what i've seen and heard of aft's are the calmest most docile of the three, although some leo's are an exeption, but like Ashleigh said i've walked around with my fat tails and they are totally cool, my first hatchling, will fall to sleep in my shirt pocket when we go out. make sure you get a captive bred gecko though because the wild caught usually carry quite the parasite load, and they can be more aggressive. I started with fattys 3 years ago with a rescue female and now i have 12 of them, they are the coolest

 

[Kelsey12]

I think I might actually be getting a Crested to be honest. I know they're probably not the tamest gecko ever, but their easy care requirements appeal to me, especially when my mom will be the one caring for it while I'm in college. I will probably post on the Crested boards later on. Thanks for all of the input everyone!

 

[HepCatMoe]

cresties are definately cute little guys. and they are a blast to watch hunt.

have fun and good luck!