Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is a Golden Gecko a good first lizard? are they easy to take care of? i want a leopard, but in all the local stores they are like 90$. Can you either advise me with this, or give me a good store online where i can buy a normal leopard gecko for cheap? i'd rather have a leopard than a golden, but i'd rather pay less than 30$ and not risk it shipping dead/diseased. THanks for the info.

http://www.wnyherp.org/care-sheets/lizards/golden-gecko.php

http://www.repticzone.com/caresheets/Geckos-golden.html

From what I understand golden geckos are a completely different experience than leos. Goldies are arboreal, require high humidity, and generally different husbandry techniques than a leo would. Much like day geckos, I don't think frequent handling is a good idea due to their soft and sensitive skin; leos seem to have much tougher and more resilient skin.

The pet stores are probably selling full grown leopard geckos, hence the price (which is still pretty high.) If you're willing to put in the time and effort, and believe you have the responsibility I recommend buying the youngest leo you can find. It's hard work but very rewarding. You get to watch your animal grow up, you know and control how well it's being treated, you help form its habits (hopefully good ones) and if you handle it from a young age it will eventually be comfortable in your hands.

If you really want a particular species, I personally would never buy another one in its place. No matter how similar, every species is a different experience. You should also make sure you do as much research as possible before you buy the pet, and have a cage/setup/whatever ready for it BEFORE you buy it. If you're willing to put that kind of time in, you're definitely going to do a good job.

Good luck with whichever you choose!
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Copyright © Dr. Zoltan Takacs.
All Rights Reserved.

I would also recommend a breeder site too.

Although i didnt buy my first one from a breeder, i think that going to a breeder is a better idea, and they answer more questions and the geck comes in healthy.

www.hotgeckos.com has great prices.. ive seen some for about 40.. which plus over night i think its an extra 40 bucks..so thats 80 for a good juvenile geck!

If i can, im thinking about getting another gecko for my adult girl, and i would definatley buy from that breeder.
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1 leopard gecko- corona
1 japanese chin pup- layla
1 kitty- libby
1 fishie- hoodlum

thats the thing though, i dont want to pay 80$ for a 40$ lizard, or 60$ for a 20$ lizard.

Money's definitely a big issue. If you can find a breeder within commuting distance, go for it! If you can't...there are a million breeders online who sell quality animals. You kinda have to suck it up with the shipping payment, it's well worth it due to the health guarantee of the lizard you're getting. If it's a cheap pet you want, have you considered green anoles? Pretty much every pet store in the US carries them. They shouldn't cost more than a few bucks each. Although I don't know much about them, I think they're far too skittish to be the kind of pet you can tame and hold like geckos. I could be completely wrong though, I really recommend doing some research on what's available within your price range, and what animals the pet stores/breeders around you have. Good luck!
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Copyright © Dr. Zoltan Takacs.
All Rights Reserved.

how would i find a local breeder?

I would google it.

Try leopard gecko breeder, plus your town, city, state, wherever.

plus you might want to look around this site too.. because they have a list of breeder i think.

look under herp index.
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1 leopard gecko- corona
1 japanese chin pup- layla
1 kitty- libby
1 fishie- hoodlum

You could also post a new topic here "Looking for Leo breeder in ---"