Went to ***** not sure if I saw bells or trempers...odds?

[astronut1885]

Hey guys. I went to my local ***** on a whim, and I saw a bunch of nice looking baby albinos for $27.00. I couldn't tell if they were Bell, which would make me want to buy one, or a tremper. The colors and eyes were on the darker side. What are the odds of a bunch of bell albinos being in a chain store?

 

[Nick44]

There's a possibility... regular breeders produce for chain stores as long as an individual has the license to sell to pet stores I forget the name of the specific license but any1 can obtain it fairly easily. Mostly breeders sell normals to pet stores because they carry the least value and mostly take up space for breeders who strive to produce and house more expensive morphs. It is an easy way to make room for more desirable morphs by selling normals in mass to local pet stores. There is a possibility the gecko is a Bell. Most of the time pet stores (not saying any names) have very poorly cared for geckos who are essentially on their death bed upon purchase. However, once in a Blue Moon you can find a steal at the local pet stores. Just make sure the leopard gecko appears fairly Healthy be sure to ask to see the gecko before purchasing. Check the Leos belly for any clear signs of impaction and make sure the leos tail has some mass to it as this is a clear sign that the Leo was recently eating well. The impaction will look like a big bruise on the belly of a leo if that is present, then do not buy the Leo because most likely the gecko will die in a few weeks. They can be saved but it takes alot of work and is very time consuming.

P.S. After going to the pet store say 40 or so times to purchase crickets or what not I always check the leopard gecko tank for the "rare steal". I was almost positive i would never find a gecko worth purchasing from a pet store, but eventually found one (MY AVATAR). Bought her as a baby for $16.00 and shes is amazingly stunning now. keep in mind this was the same place that carried skeleton like geckos 99% of the time. If the timing is right go for it. Regardless of the type of albino the price seems fair enough. Use your best judgment and some common sense and you wont regret your decision. Good Luck! :main_thumbsup:

 

[Bodon]

They were probably tremper, id say odds are they were but bells being in there could happen imo. Its just if a breeder knows he has a bell i doubt they would let it go to the big chain pet store.

 

[cassadaga]

I see bells in the other major pet chain all the time, definatly possible for a bell to be there.

 

[acpart]

Last I heard, the specific chain you mention gets all its geckos from a specific breeding facility which provides only Trempers, but things may have changed.

Aliza

 

[astronut1885]

There were about 6 babies in there, all young but healthy and lively looking, but I just wasn't sure. Whatever they were, they were tangerine, but the eyes just didn't look tremper-ish to me.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Rob, after just losing Luna, I'm surprised you would even consider getting another gecko from a big pet chain store! I feel like having my thunderous voice echo out while you're looking at the geckos in the store saying, "JUST STEP AWAY FROM THE GECKO ENCLOSURE!"

 

[Libby15]

They had them for $19.99 on sale on Sunday. So tempting!!

 

[Starwild]

Fred's a Bell who came from a franchised pet store. Not one of the two major ones discussed here. That's really why I bought her--saw an albino and could not leave her there. I'm glad she came home with me, she's healthy, active and seems happy.

(And old enough to sex, and Fred is a she.)

That said, it was a total impulse purchase and my other gecko--and any subsequent geckos--is/will be from breeders.

 

[Mel&Keith]

Rob, after just losing Luna, I'm surprised you would even consider getting another gecko from a big pet chain store! I feel like having my thunderous voice echo out while you're looking at the geckos in the store saying, "JUST STEP AWAY FROM THE GECKO ENCLOSURE!"

You took the words out of my mouth.

 

[Bodon]

I feel if you can get them early enough they are ok. My one big chain pet store that we cant write about, came from there and is fine, granted she was just a hatchling and i got her before she had time to wait around for something bad to happen to her. I also tried to save one from there before it was too late, knowing it probably already was too late, and it was in the end.

 

[astronut1885]

Luna was actually from a mom-and-pop shop that I have frequented for years, and where the majority of my geckos past and present have come from. Titan came from there, and other than the bad husbandry my dad practiced while keeping him, he's a rock-solid healthy gecko. Oryon is 6 years old or so, also came from there. I went back and told them what went down with Luna, and they're working on finding me another animal. Not that it will replace her, but I'm a regular there and they feel bad.