Questions you should be able answer before getting your first gecko:

1. Have you read the care sheets for leopard geckos? Do you know what size and type enclosure they need, what and how much they eat (both as juveniles and adults), and do you know what temperatures they need?

2. Do you know why you shouldn't use heat rocks?

3. Is your enclosure clean and ready for the gecko? Does it contain NO other pets or geckos? Do you know why it should not have any other geckos in it to start?

4. Does it have a heat source and have you allowed a few days for the temperature to stabilize and then measured the temperature to make sure it is the appropriate range?

5. Do you have hides in the cage?

6. Do you have a water source in the cage?

7. Do you have a supply of food, of the right type, and of the right size for your prospective gecko?

8. Do you have a supply of gutload for the feeder insects?

9. Do you have supplemental vitamins and calcium?

10. Are you comfortable handling the feeder insects?

11. Do you have a ready local source for feeder insects or are you committed to mail ordering them on a regular basis? If the latter, have you already ordered and received some so you are ready for the gecko?

12. Have you found a local reptile vet who has knowledge about leopard geckos, and have you called to find out how much it costs for checkup and for a fecal test and had them verify that your understanding of proper gecko care is correct?

13. Can you afford vet visits and tests for your prospective pet for the length of its life?

14. Are you prepared to make an intial baseline vet visit and get a fecal test for your new gecko (in terms of time, money, and commitment)?

15. Are you ready to commit to care for the gecko for 10+ years it may live?

16. Can you afford to buy the services of a pet sitter to care for the pet if you go on vacation or are hospitalized or otherwise unavailable and none of your friends and family are around to help out? Do you know how much one costs and were to find one in an emergency?

17. Can you describe what a healthy gecko looks like and what some signs of sickness are?

If you can't answer yes to every single one of these questions, or worse, don't understand them, then you are NOT ready to get a leopard gecko.

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