The future of Leopard Geckos

[preacherman]

Rebecca and Sandra, thank you both for your posts. Excellent thoughts!!

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I agree... Sandra and Rebecca have written my feelings. As one of the 'old-timers' (almost 14 years!) in the leopard gecko community, I have seen just about every new morph introduced from the beginning. I've seen the buying frenzy while people jump on the bandwagon with a new morph so they can be the first to go to the bank.

Although I really don't see anything so wrong with that, it also makes me sad that leopard geckos have become so much of a commodity and are over-bred in my opinion so that they are now inventory items.

I've seen friends become enemies over leopard gecko market prices, and shady ethics. There are breeders I used to admire and trust that have turned to the 'dark side' because of their need to be competitive and have their egos stroked.

With this season being such a heartbreak and disappointment for Golden Gate Geckos, it has forced me to give more serious thought into 'why' I continue to breed geckos. Yes, I want to make money... at least enough to cover my annual expenses, but first and foremost I just want to enjoy my geckos. I'm not sure I see as much of that anymore.

I have never been one of those breeders who get in on the cutting edge of a new morph, although I am fascinated and appreciate them. I will never be a breeder that comes up with a new morph, either... and I am perfectly OK with that. I've actually had people ask me why I continue working with 'old school' morphs, and that if I want to stay in the game I'm going to have to keep up with everyone else. Who cares? I work with the morphs I like.

Another thing that discourages me is, that right now there are so many genetic combinations being produced that they are all starting to look like a bunch of 'pink geckos with solid colored eyes", and their breeders don't even know what they are. If we can't keep up with all the combined genetics to the point that we can't even identify what they are, how can we expect the new folks to the hobby to comprehend it all? Then we feel the need to name it something cool! It's making our heads spin...

Maybe if I hang in there long enough, there will be an interest in pure, basic, 'retro' morphs once again. And us old timers can sit around in our rocking chairs reminiscing about the good old days.

 

[Stevie]

I'm rather new in the leopardgecko world ('just' 6 years now). I'm sorry to read that people are getting discouraged, especially the people who we (the gecko community) owe a lot to. To sell every gecko you breed, is getting harder and harder each year, but I manage to keep the fun in my hobby by keeping and breeding the animals I like. Not the geckos other people like (like GGG stated with the "old school morphs").

Every time I visit a show, I'm amazed by the number of children (under the age of 16) are selling very expensive morphs, but than NOT for the prise they should be sold; spoiling the market like that. Besides, I'm more and more shocked by the quality of a large number of animals that are sold. If I question the quality of an animal, it's not going with me to a show and when I'm sure that something is wrong, the animal will be treated or (sadly) euthanized. The only way to prevent more genetic defects, is to make sure inbreeding is kept to a minimum. With the import/export being banned in the future, the possibility of getting 'fresh genes' in the collection will be harder and harder...

This season has been a bad season for many people, but maybe this is just the thing the hobby needs. Many people had their share of a big 'reality check' when it comes to breeding geckos; it isn't a simple as it looks! Many people (in Europe) suffered from lots of bad eggs and bad young. I think this will discourage many (starting) people in breeding lots of (expensive) geckos and the serious breeders will overcome this 'crisis' eventually; their knowledge and experience in breeding will make sure that there will always be high quality animals available and that will be a great thing for the hobby although it may take a while.

Greets,

Stevie

 

[KelliH]

This season has been a bad season for many people, but maybe this is just the thing the hobby needs. Many people had their share of a big 'reality check' when it comes to breeding geckos; it isn't a simple as it looks! Many people (in Europe) suffered from lots of bad eggs and bad young. I think this will discourage many (starting) people in breeding lots of (expensive) geckos and the serious breeders will overcome this 'crisis' eventually; their knowledge and experience in breeding will make sure that there will always be high quality animals available and that will be a great thing for the hobby although it may take a while.

I agree with this 100%.