Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I want to buy a gecko, but am not sure what kind I would like. I have a Vieled chameleon which I love but I have a 10 gallon aquarium that I used for her when she was a baby and is sitting empty now. Today when I was at the pet store getting her crickets I saw some leopard geckos that caught my eye on sale. So instead of impulse buying (like I did my chameleon which worked out fine) I thought I would do a little research before I bought one. I am looking for something with interesting colors and that is a unique animal. Just wanted to get some opinions. Thanks
-----
0.1 Veiled Chameleon (Lola)
1.0 Great Dane (Hercules)

Well, one of the best "starter" geckos that lives happily in a 10 gallon is a leopard gecko and that is usually what I suggest for a first gecko. IMHO they are very easy to care for and have great personalities. A leopard gecko manual is usually about $5 and a great resource to answer any questions you have.

If you where looking to just start a gecko in the 10 gallon, then only slightly more difficult to care for is the crested/ gargoyle /Rhacodactylus family. We raised ours in a 10 gallon until about 4 or 5 months when she received a cage extender making it approximately a 20 gallon tall. You can read through the sub-forum for this gecko as well as the leopard gecko.

Obviously, it depends on what you want and what you are willing to care for. A rhac or other sub tropical geckos will have similar environmental requirements as your other pet. A desert dweller like a leopard gecko needs higher temps, but you don't have to worry about humidity. I just suggested these two species since they are widely available, easy to care for, and come in amazing colors and morphs. But really, since geckos are everywhere but Antarctica, there are many to choose from!

Maybe if you offered us some information about what you are looking for? Fruit eater? Insects? Space? Temperature? Temperament? Handling? Then we can tell you some good fits. Good luck!
-----
0.1 Albino Leo Gecko
0.1 Crested Gecko
1.0 Dear Boyfriend
Departed: Harvey and Spock

Sleepy is right. Your best best is either a leopard gecko or a crested gecko for a starter gecko. But also as s/he said, what exactly are you looking for? Both geckos have extremely different requirements.
-----
1.0 savannah monitor
0.4 leopard geckos
2.2.5 crested geckos 2 eggs
1.1 bearded dragons
0.1 common boas (BCI)
1.0 ball python
0.0.1 western hognose
0.1 kenyan sand boa
0.0.1 golden tree frog
0.0.1 fire belly toad
0.0.1 Sulcata tortoise
0.0.1 desert hairy scorpion
0.0.1 texas millipede
1.2 sugar gliders 2 joeys in pouch
0.1 chinchilla
2.0 cats
0.0.1 African Giant Black Millipede
0.0.1 Pac Man frog
10 gallon freshwater
LOTS of roaches

Matt Smith

I am basically looking for a gecko with interesting colors and has a mild temperment. My chameleon hates to be handled so I want something that will be a little more tolerant of it. (I know that almost all reptiles will never enjoy being handled) Right now I am leaning towards a leopard. I saw some at a pet store close by that were marked down to 19.99. But I am also open to mail-order if anyone has any breeders they recommend that have decent prices. Thanks for the advice guys.
-----
0.1 Veiled Chameleon (Lola)
1.0 Great Dane (Hercules)

>>I am basically looking for a gecko with interesting colors and has a mild temperment. My chameleon hates to be handled so I want something that will be a little more tolerant of it. (I know that almost all reptiles will never enjoy being handled) Right now I am leaning towards a leopard. I saw some at a pet store close by that were marked down to 19.99. But I am also open to mail-order if anyone has any breeders they recommend that have decent prices. Thanks for the advice guys.

Well, both species have very interesting colors and have a very mild temperment. My personal favorite is the crested gecko. Whatever you get, just make sure you have enough money to buy everything that is needed for it. Don't buy something cheap because that's all you can afford, because that means you can't afford the rest of the items needed for the animal. Both animals are very easy to care for and are very "friendly" and calm. They both have awesome colors. The main differences between the two is, the leopard gecko eats only insects and is a desert reptile, which means it needs high heat and low to moderate humidity. Crested geckos eat fruits and insects and are rainforest reptiles, which means high humidity and moderate heat. They also have a powder mixture for crested geckos that you mis with water that has everything in it for a healthy crested gecko, but occasional insects are good. All up to you...
-----
1.0 savannah monitor
0.4 leopard geckos
2.2.5 crested geckos 2 eggs
1.1 bearded dragons
0.1 common boas (BCI)
1.0 ball python
0.0.1 western hognose
0.1 kenyan sand boa
0.0.1 golden tree frog
0.0.1 fire belly toad
0.0.1 Sulcata tortoise
0.0.1 desert hairy scorpion
0.0.1 texas millipede
1.2 sugar gliders 2 joeys in pouch
0.1 chinchilla
2.0 cats
0.0.1 African Giant Black Millipede
0.0.1 Pac Man frog
10 gallon freshwater
LOTS of roaches

Matt Smith

Oh, I am sure to have the resources to care for whatever I get. I understand that the initial cost is minute when compared to long term care and food. I am leaning towards a cheaper one because honestly I don't know enough about geckos to appreciate a rare morph. (plus I am a college student so I can't afford to drop hundreds on a new pet) I basically just want another animal since I have an extra aquarium laying around. Shouldn't be a problem feeding it since I allready make a weekly trip to the pet store for crickets/various worms.
-----
0.1 Veiled Chameleon (Lola)
1.0 Great Dane (Hercules)

Well, that being said, I would lean toward a leopard gecko. Crested geckos, in my experience, are a tad more difficult to handle, simply because they stick to anything and can jump farther than you'd think. (And sometimes farther than THEY think... )

I would recommend not getting them from a national pet store chain, we had a horrible experience with that, even though we knew one of the employees. Better to invest the money on an animal that you know is healthy. (see my post below in "moral dilemma"

Check out the leopard gecko sub-forum for lots of help. We are happy to get a new owner set up, but please get all of your information ahead of time, we have had a rash of impulse buyer posting and some (including me) are crankier than normal. We happily answer questions before the purchase. Good luck!

-----
0.1 Albino Leo Gecko
0.1 Crested Gecko
1.0 Dear Boyfriend
Departed: Harvey and Spock