PLEASE!! Need advice for Westchester White Plains Show this weekend

[SudeepHArya]

Hi and thank you for seeing this post.

I need help my family and I are going to the Westchester Reptile Expo this weekend http://www.reptileexpo.com/nyfirst.htm

I am trying to find a Leo (hopefully a Hi Yellow / Tangerine Color) and would like to know if you have any opinions on reputable dealers for Leos there. I am looking for the following characteristics in my Leo

1. Juvenile Gecko (younger the better)
2. Tame and able to be handled occasionally
3. Healthy (of course)
4. Offering advise from personal interaction with the lil critter

I am buying this Leo for my 10 year old who truly has done amazing amount of research in caring and well being of his new pet

We will as parents (mom and dad) be heavily involved

I am just trying to find if anyone has any GREAT experiences with a specific vendor at this particular show for the purchase of Leo who will standy by his/her product.

Thank you so much in advance

 

[Jellybean]

If all else fails, all you really need to do is look at the condition the lizard is in before purchasing it. Bright colorations, healthy sized tail, alert about its surroundings, no missing toes or disfigurations etc.

Now as to your first and second point, younger juvenile geckos are in no way going to be tame and easy to handle. It will probably take around 3 to 4 months for a baby to not be timid around its owner. In fact none of my juveniles could even safely be handled for the first few weeks without taking a large amount of precautions because the first thing they will do is try to jump out of your hand and often times that involves about a 4 foot fall.

 

[acpart]

There are several members of these forums who are usually at the show selling. I'd highly recommend Frank McGowan of Frank's Geckos and Pat Kline of Luxurious Leopards. If there are other forum members vending, please chime in. Here's my general advice about buying a leopard gecko from a show:
--go through the whole show looking at geckos and prices and take notes
--avoid buying from these types of vendors:
*vendors who have many many species on their table and just a few leopard geckos: in many cases they don't know much about them and have taken a few in trade and are now moving them on
*vendors with large numbers of very tiny babies selling at very low prices: most of us prefer to sell hatchlings at a minimum of 15 grams (they weigh 2-4 grams when they hatch)
*vendors who can't provide a care sheet or care information.

Good luck and post pictures of what you end up getting.

Aliza

 

[Fencer04]

I'm not sure he'll be there but Adam at Granite State Reptiles was amazing to deal with. I haven't dealt with anyone else so please don't see this as a me saying that anyone else isn't as good. He has kept a steady dialog with me and gave me some great advice.

As for a young gecko, I would agree with the other posts. An older gecko will be a better pet. I would look for something in the 40 to 50 gram range or about 6 to 8 months old. Not full grown yet but not so small that handling is an issue.

 

[SudeepHArya]

Thanks for all the advise I am really looking forward to it. Although this is for my 10 Year Old I am really excited as this will be his first "real" pet (normally is a fish) and this forum is truly a great place to get advice. Thank you for all your help. I will be posting pics when I come back on Sunday evening.

Best Regards,
Steve