Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm torn between getting my first bearded dragon or a leopard gecko.. I want something that I can handle without it getting too stressed, and I want something that is active... (trying not to sound too demanding). Can Someone who has owned both maybe give me a few pros and cons with the two? Thanks,

MS

I own both Leos and a Beardie, and the BD is more active.(at least mine is compared to my Leos) This may be the case because Leos are nocturnal, so when they ARE active, we just arent awake to see them. you can have fun with both, both can be handled, and both can become tame enough to take food from your hands. Personally, i think Leos are easier to care for, but what do i know?

Anyway, if your a beginner when it comes to Herps, then i would say go for the Leopard Gecko. If not, then it is totally up to you. Both lizards can be very rewarding, in their OWN way.

So...
Pros of a Leo-- Easy to care for. Wont get stressed from handling. Becomes tame.
Cons of a Leo-- Nocturnal

Pros of a BD-- Wont get stressed, will learn to love. Becomes tame.
Cons of a BD-- Can be harder to keep (they can become twice as long as a Leo, so bigger cage, etc.)

Now, i dont want it to sound like i dont like either animal, because i give all my pets the same amount of TLC. Like i said before, both can be a rewarding experience if cared for properly.

Well... BD pros:The dragon seems to have a lot of personallity and will develop habits they might be good or bad. Dragons also seem to enjoy being handled if you do it right. Some differnt cons: more expensive, you must have at least a 50 gallon tank for a adult BD. Eats a lot, they'll consume at least 25 crickets a day. Must have UV light or they will develop MBD (Medabolic bone disease). Leo pros: Dont eat as much. Do not require UV light. Can easily be housed in a 10-15 gallon aquarium. Slow moving, you dont have to worry about them running under a low object like a refigerator. LoL that happaned 1s when my dragon was a hatchling.

Leo cons: Do not have as much personality, or they just dont show it as much. again nocturnal.

Thats about it, the dragon has a bigger personallity and is more active but more expensive and harder to care for then a leo. I dont favor either.

I dont have a beardie just like looking at pics of them, so I'll give my input on leos (which i do have)
Leos: Pros
-inexpensive
-will live happily in 10 gallon
-dont need to deal with crickets (alot of people hate these, myself included) can be fed a staple of mealworms
-come in alot more colors and morphs including albinos, patternless, blizzards, tangerines, hypos, stripes, patternles albinos, high yellows, jungles, snows, abberants, red stripes, and the traditional spotted normal. Ron tremper also sellsgenetic giants, which can get up to 12 inches, very cool.
-doesnt need uvb lights
-simple heating, a UTH with rheostat will keep them more than happy
-can be taken out daily, doesnt mind handling at all
Leos:Cons
-Nocturnal, not active during the day but will come out to eat
-stays around 9 inches (not sure if this would be a con, unless you want something bigger)
-tail can fall off if grabbed, a defense mechanism (though it wont happen easily, as long as you dont pick it up and swing it by its tail lol)
Hope this helps, the only major thing you wouldnt like about leo is they arent active during the day, but you can take them out and they like to explore and such, good luck

I have leos and beardies, i personally prefer the beardies. Int he day you never see the leos since they're nocturnal, and you can't handle them as much, they do become stressed. I handle my beardies all the time and you see them during the day. But it depends what your willing to pay..either a 10 gallon tank for the leo or a 55 gallon tank for the beardie... Oh also, leos can drop their tails, I'm always really careful cause i dont want it to come off, but beardies dont drop their tales..and beardies are calmer when you hold them.
-----
~Julie~

I have both 2 leos and a beardie....my beardie has MUCH more of a personality than the leos...but like everyone said before me they're noctornal, and get more personality at night. My beardie is MUCH more expensive...he eats probably 60-80 crickets a day, where as my leos eat 20 every other day. Another pro for LEOS is that they poop in ONE area...so it is soooo much more easier to clean the tank....beardies poop wherever they feel like it(at least mine does). I don't want to sound like i favor either one though cuz I love them all equally. Hope this helps!!

Jessica

Wow

Adult bearded dragons eat 60-80 crickets a day? I'll definitely be training mine onto rep-cal dragon food and supplementing it with crickets and making greens and rep-cal the staple.

They dont HAVE to eat 60-80 they can manage about 30 as long as you keep a full bowl of greens in their tank.

The most my beardie has eaten in a day was about 80....the next day he ate about 60 or so and then the following day he ate about 30, so really it just varies I guess. I ALWAYS keep greens available...I just can't seem to get mine trained on pellets only. He prefers his crickets

Jessica

there is no comparison!!!!! a bearded dragon shouldn't even be compared to a leopard gecko!!!!!!! i've had my BD's for a week now and they are awesome!!!!!!! this last week i've gotten more enjoyment out of my reptiles than ever!!!! they are active, they're fun to watch, you can take them out in public and you can walk them and there is always gonna be people that want to pet them and they're ju awesome!!!!!!! i'm sorry for rambling, but i think i've got my opinion across. hope this helps!