Pet quality?

[Mantislover]

Ive been looking at alot of the breeders that advertise here and I found only one that offers pet quality geckos. I love that he does. Some are not quite right, fused toes or a bent tail.
Are there other breeders here who do that? Not all breeders have 100% perfect babies all the time.
I have a soft spot for handicapped pets. Ive raised two praying mantids that were blind.
Thanks.

 

[marcia]

All breeders will produce pet quality geckos, in fact, every gecko I produce is 'pet quality' as well as breeding quality. I will from time to time feel that some of the geckos I produce may only be suitable for pet only homes. Any that may have birth defects (touch wood I haven't had any yet), I would keep hold of myself.


Sent from my iPhone inside my human vivarium

 

[DrCarrotTail]

I sold several as pet quality this past season. I don't tend to advertise them online as the cost of shipping is usually prohibitive (double or triple the cost of the baby) and so I look for local homes for them or donate them to science classrooms.

 

[Olympus]

Others do, yes. One leopard female I purchased years ago was a "pet only" due to some saggy skin around the neck, but I bought her up because I thought her pattern was pretty striking. And I've seen other breeders do the same thing, they'll mark a less-than-perfect gecko as "pet-only."

 

[Mantislover]

Im glad they do. It would be good to see them listed more often. I think the shipping is worth it, depending on the buyer. I would be happy to pay shipping for a special pet gecko.

 

[acpart]

I do that too but I don't list them online and won't ship them. I bring them to reptile shows and offer them in exchange for donations to the local herp society (that usually has a booth at the same show). I also give them to the Gecko Sanctuary who rehabilitates them and re-homes them.

Aliza

 

[DrCarrotTail]

What a great idea Aliza!!

 

[Mantislover]

I used to breed angora rabbits. Mine were diliberate hybrids and were meant for spinners. German french are great hybrids and give the best of both in one rabbit. They are not meant for show.
Ive had some weird babies at times, no terrible defects but did have grease bunnies once. (Dont wash your hair for 3 weeks. Thats what they were like).

 

[stager]

Im glad they do. It would be good to see them listed more often. I think the shipping is worth it, depending on the buyer. I would be happy to pay shipping for a special pet gecko.

Unfortunately most won't pay 50 to 60 bucks in shipping on a gecko that only costs 20 or 30 dollars. For this reason most only sell them at shows. I think many people don't buy even high quality geckos inline once there realize what it coasts to ship.

 

[Mantislover]

Why is there such a wide range of shipping costs?

 

[stager]

Why is there such a wide range of shipping costs?

Not that wide prob 40 lowest to 60 depending on how far. The packaging has to be insulated and the cost of next day fedex is high

 

[acpart]

The further you have to ship the higher the cost. Some large volume breeders charge a flat rate to ship, I guess because they figure it averages out for them.

Aliza

 

[Mantislover]

I live in Maine and I bought a bug from a guy in California. Shipping was 40.00.

 

[acpart]

It also has to do with weight and package dimensions.

Aliza

 

[courtney.lynne]

That is an awesome idea Aliza, usually when we have animals that are more "pet quality" we usually find them local homes but we are hoping to start getting into some shows this season and I think that is a great idea and definitely worth it. We will have "pet quality" listed on our website and our facebook page as well but most likely will not ship them unless someone is seriously interested and willing to pay the shipping costs. Keep checking back at our website or even register on our home page because I will be sending out e-mail updates with our upcoming animals