buying adult crested geckos has three pitfalls:



1. They are expensive. Female crested geckos cost anywhere from $150 to $400 , depending on color and the seller.



2. There aren't many females for sale. TSD is not proven in crested geckos, and the best estimate of the female-to-male ratio in hatchlings is one-to-one(de Vosjoli, Fast & Repashy, 2004). Additionally, people are less likely to give them up because they will produce eggs.



3. Buying adults means that you can never be sure how they have been treated. Someone besides yourself has raised these animals, and it is impossible to determine if the geckos were properly cared for. Buying hatchlings and raising them to sexual maturity gives you 100% control of how your crested geckos are raised. However, you will have to wait a year and a half until they should breed.



If you are patient, it is better to buy inexpensive hatchlings and raise them to sexual maturity. You should be able to buy good colored specimens for around $50 to $60 each. Check out LLLReptile.com and ReptileDepot.com. They are both located in southern california. I have purchased geckos from them both at reptile shows and through the mail, and have been satisfied with their animals and their service.



Hope this helps.

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