Where To Buy First Leopard Gecko? (& etc)

[randomsketcher]

I'm having doubts on this one. Should my first leopard gecko be from a pet store, or from an independent breeder? Or would y'all suggest any other source?

Criteria - I want a healthy, vibrant, beautiful boy. I want him to thrive 10+ years. My budget for one leopard gecko specimen is at max $150... but closer to $50. I would value interesting colors, but not rarity.

-Are they hardy enough to take a few mistakes so long as basic care is adequate and consistent? (What newbie mistakes should I watch out for?) I cannot responsibly maintain more than one setup, and will not be able to for quite some time. While I don't want him to ever die by my own ignorance, with raising orchids and freshwater fish, it's hard not to worry, especially as my first reptile...

I started out just keeping a journal with notes of care on reptile, frog, and fish species for fun and genuine curiosity. The leopard gecko has won my heart. I want to do this right. I've kept fish and the cruelty I've seen them withstand from unprepared, spontaneous owners... I never want to be that type of owner.

Any tips will be absorbed. The gecko will not be purchased for at least another month or two. I'm in the gathering supplies and intelligence stage atm. Again - as a responsible owner, where would y'all suggest I buy my first and only leopard gecko?

One final question - he should be happy for a long time in a 20 gallon, but is it cruel to start him off with a 10 gallon setup until the 20 is ready?

Thank you so much if you could answer just one or two of my annoying questions.
To experienced owners, these must sound like questions asked at mall pet stores. I don't necessarily trust their employees' advice at face value. I have tried to find answers but the Internet is chalk full of conflicting info. Thank you if you could help supply one or two tips for my hungry "care journal."

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[Kristi23]

First, I moved this from general site issues and into the leopard gecko section.

You can buy a decent healthy pet from some petstores, but other times they are not healthy. I feel it's better to buy from a breeder when you can, but pet stores/wholesalers do serve a purpose.

As for the care, there is a huge section here on leopard gecko husbandry and most breeders have great caresheets on their website. Leopard geckos are generally very hardy, but you do need to get their basic care correct or you may have issues.

Some say a 10 gallon is fine, but you'll get better temp gradients with a 20L. That may be too small for a baby though.


Quick warning for others. Please do not recommend or talk negative about breeders here. Please keep that to the business inquiry section. Anyone can search there or you can PM answers. Thank you!

 

[Kristi23]

And great job looking into the care well before purchasing.

 

[Kristi23]

Forgot this part of your post. Newbie mistakes. Just follow the basic care and you should be fine. Don't try to set up a huge natural tank when starting out. Paper towel or tiles will be fine. No need for lights. Undertank heaters are good. Make sure you use a thermostat. Gutload your feeders. Use a humid hide. Just the basic simple needs to start with and go from there.

 

[DiAmoroso]

You're on the right track. My recommendation would be to try and find a reptile expo you can get to. You should be able to find a really nice gecko for a good price at one. It is always better to buy from an experienced breeder over a pet store, in my opinion.

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[randomsketcher]

Thank you both so much. I'm sorry about posting in the wrong section, I'll be more careful next time.

Okay today's project is to check out the leopard gecko husbandry section, and to gather a list of top breeders and local breeders both, along with their caresheets.

Tomorrow I'll look more into common morphs so when I go to a reptile expo, I'll know more about what I'm looking at.

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[randomsketcher]

Thanks again

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[randomsketcher]

Tile substrate, UTH, gutloaded crickets, thermo & hygrometer... warm side hide, cool side hide, humid hide. Shallow water dish, food dish. A big piece of reptile driftwood w/ branches, upside down, to climb on. Artifical leafy plant to drape in a corner or two. Background on 3 sides (?)

Hope that's a good start for him.

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