Question pertaining to Craigslist

[Whitey]

Ok, so I have been wanting some leos for the past couple of years. I raised a few when I was living with my parents (some odd years ago). Well recently my wife let me get some and I got 3 females from a guy on Craigslist. They were sort of skinny when I first got them but got them fattened up now.

Well, to my surprise there is someone else selling an albino female and jungle male in my area on Craigslist. The guy has said that when he got them they were pretty skinny and he has "nursed" them back to health. I guess my question is, should I? The first three worked out great, but after reading some horror stories Im not so sure anymore. I would love to have 2 more leos in a 20 gal long to go along with my 55 gal. Thanks for the input and any advice to offer a newb.

p.s. if you want to see pics, go to craigslist.com, click on Florida, then pensacola/panhandle and type in geckos in the search feature. There are pics up there.
Whitey

 

[PacHerp]

Honestly, I always would recommend buying healthy animals from well know, established breeders. You will find many on this forum, you can even begin my clicking the banner ads above or the site sponsor links - or even search the classifieds... there may be a breeder in your area that you can pick up animals from.

 

[Whitey]

I know, but what happens to the geckos on Craigslist? Does the dude just throw them away or does he just sell them to someone who may not know what is involved with taking care of them? Its kinda like the pound thing, you know when you walk in your going to walk out feeling like crap because some of the dogs arnt going to get adopted.... I feel that way about geckos on Craigslist... its kinda like the place that people go to to get rid of stuff they dont want.

 

[rawson5084]

I would ask for recent pictures with a time stamp

 

[acpart]

The real question is why the gecko are skinny. Ideally, they are because they haven't been well cared for and just need some fattening up. The danger is that they have some nasty condition that can't be cured. If the current owners are willing to give you a recent picture, willing to tell you a little about how long they've had them and how they got them, and if you're willing to go and look at them but be prepared to pass on them if you don't feel right about them, then it's worth considering.


Aliza

 

[-_Mindless Destruction_-]

Honestly you should go for, the adult male looks pretty healthy but the juvenile female looks a little unhealthy. Just keep those two together because they already know each other pretty well and never put the others with them, may get a little fiesty in there.

But with craigslist you just have to be careful and make sure they are not asking to much. I would offer him a low fee for both of them and explain to him that the female looks a little unhealthy and you will be able to nurse her back to health. If you have done it once, you can most likely do it again. Just pay close attention to both of them.

 

[Whitey]

Thanks for the input. I was emailing the dude back and forth and all of a sudden he decided not to write me back. So it looks like I will be trying a breeder out. If he does email me back Ill let you guys know when I pick them up. Thanks again.

Whitey

 

[2slo4me]

i adopted a female leo off craigslist thsi past christmas... poor leo was stuck in a 5.5 gallon tank with sand of some sort and didnt even have the correct heat for her....

well its now march and betty the leo is doing great she is fatter and happier then ever... im actually looking for a male to see if i can get them to mate...

when i 1st got her i knew i was taking a chance she was very skinny and under nourished... with some time and good husbandry she fattened up and is very healthy... however she hates meal worms so crickets it is... lol

at the end of the day u r basically taking a chance... i took a chance and it turned out great... hey its better to take a chance and at least say i tryed then to leave the leos with a bad mom or dad...

good luck on whatever ur choice is...

 

[Alusdra]

If you wait you'll probably be able to find more on CL. I've only paid for one of my gecko and 1/2 my supplies. If you want them as pets only, CL is a great place to get some. Another great place to look is at reptile expos or fairs, where you can get retired breeders that are older and calm.

 

[Blacksupra94]

Do it.

I recently got a free crested gecko and cage from craigslist . I'm giving the gecko a better life now, and hes happy. It gives you a good feeling to save a life rather than buy a breeder baby.( waiting to get attacked)

 

[rawson5084]

Do it.

I recently got a free crested gecko and cage from craigslist . I'm giving the gecko a better life now, and hes happy. It gives you a good feeling to save a life rather than buy a breeder baby.( waiting to get attacked)

I agree but I also like getting them from breeders as well:main_thumbsup: