Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been wondering if anyone knew who supplied the chainstores with their Leopard Geckos?
I know that there are a few well known leopard gecko breedersor experts, but as far as I can tell they supply their reptiles through other methods. it is just a point of curiosity for me.
Thanks

Next time I'm at Petsmart, I'll ask.
-----
1.1.5 Mali Uromastyx (Ra, Isis) Sobek, Atum, Tut, Nefertum, No Name
0.1 Super Hypo Tangerine Leopard Gecko (Lucy)
0.1 Sunglow Leopard Gecko (Nyu)
1.1 Satanic Leaf-tail Gecko (R.I.P. Diablo and Samael)
2.0 Tabby cats (Cloud, Magus)

It has long been a rumor that chain stores are dumping grounds for the big breeder's "undesirables" - meaning normals or those with less than ideal coloration. I have read Tremper is one to do this... however, my brother in law was once a fish/bird/exotics manager at one of these locations and he never had a clue where they came from, so I wouldn't trust anything from employees or internet rumors.

Although it would make some sense given the amount of extra geckos, especially normals, a specialty breeder would produce in a season looking for rec traits I've never heard any solid information that anyone admits to wholesaling to petco/petsmart. Given my personal experience with their leos, I wouldn't advertise I sold to them and honestly I would rather see a breeder's site that says: "We never sell wholesale" or something. Takes more responsibility. IMHO.
-----
0.1 Albino Leo Gecko
0.1 Crested Gecko
1.0 Dear Boyfriend
Departed: Harvey and Spock

Tremper
Bell
Brant
Mack
And may be one or two more.
-----
Jodi L Aherns
612.802.3980
www.groundgeckofreak.com

wow that is quite a selection of breeders. So my next question is who supplies their Albinos. A friend of mine got an albino a while back, but his wife has decided it has to go. I have taken it in, but would to know what type of albino it is (Tremper, Bell, Las Vegas). I figure it is either a bell or Tremper, but I am not sure which. If you know the answer to this one you are a genious.

put up a pic of it. its usually easy to tell between a bell and tremper, its telling between rainwater and tremper thats more difficult. As for where Petsmart gets its geckos I have no clue and I work there. But I would think large scale breeders. All of the geckos we get in have dark coloration or dropped tails. But I know that petsmart usually stocks trempers along with petco. Bells are usually sold to specialty pet stores that have a large variety of reptiles. Although I will say that I bought a "normal" for 20 bux from petco 4 months ago. Look under the post COLOR CHANGE. I talked to tremper and he told me if the colors dont fade I def. have an emerald rainbow which leads me to beleive that petco gets there geckos wholesale from high end breeders. Guess they mixed up an emerald in the normal box. YEAH for me.

yeah that looks like an emerald for sure with a bit of carrot tail. That is cool, I will post a pic tomorrow when I get home, I am out for work.

Last time I asked, I was told they are Ron Tremper's lower quality hybrids. You know, not the "AA" type...

In my area, the animals are shipped from Gourmet Rodent in Florida. I am in Connecticut.

Wanda

It pays to make a quick stop at Petco and Petsmart anytime.

I have seen some jewels every now and then that were discarded as "undesirable" by some breeder looking for something else. I have spotted hypos, carrot tails, snows and some stunning jungle phases. Similar animals I have seen them selling online for well over $80

Often breeders hate the Petco references because you can get teh same lizards for under $20, but always remember that the store will give you a warranty that the breeder won't! And the store has a reptilian specialist who checks their sick animals. Unfortunately, many breeders do not.

Wanda

My Petco in Iowa gets leo's from Gourmet Rodent also. I've gotten a super hypo carrot tail, and have two juvies.