Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all,

I'm still continuing my research on geckos before I purchase one next year I was just wondering what the difference between african fat tailed geckos and leopard geckos are? I've searched on yahoo, ask.com, and google - but have not found much other than their body color patterns. Even the care sheets seem to be similar. I was hoping someone could help me! Thanks!

-Aimee-
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1.0 Black Lab / Pitbull mix (Mikey)
1.0 Blue Fighting Fish (Blue Balls)

fat-tails tend to be a little slower/gentler in their movements, and need higher humidity levels.
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your head will collapse, but there's nothing in it, and you'll ask yourself, "where is my mind"

if you have AIM, IM me at chichandoCONrosa

okay thank you for your help

i think i read somewhere that the fat tailed geckos were more aggressive and harder to handle than leopard geckos?
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1.0 Black Lab / Pitbull mix (Mikey)
1.0 Blue Fighting Fish (Blue Balls)

I've had quite a few of each and neither are really aggressive or hard to handle, but AFTs are definitely the more mellow and easier to handle of the two. I've had more jumpy, flighty leos than AFTs. They're great pets, both of them.
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Rob Jenkins
Have you seen the GeckoCam?
Buy Geckos Here
Email Me

ohhh interesting... i always had the impression that leopard geckos were easier to hand tame and were less aggressive, which is probably why i spend a month researching more about them another reason is probably because i read that leopard geckos are the best beginner lizards (checked the beginner lizard archives on this site & on google/yahoo/ask.com). but thank you for the info, i'll definitely be researching on both the AFTs and the leos before my planned purchase next year thanks again!

-aimee
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1.0 Black Lab / Pitbull mix (Mikey)
1.0 Blue Fighting Fish (Blue Balls)

a lot of older books do say AFT's are more aggressive, but i think that is because a while back most AFT's were wild caught, and i think now, most are CB.
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your head will collapse, but there's nothing in it, and you'll ask yourself, "where is my mind"

if you have AIM, IM me at chichandoCONrosa

If you or anyone else gets a Fattail Gecko, be sure to check where it is from. I'm assuming they're still imported to the US by the thousands, which means most of the juvies/adults you see for sale (even on the KS classifieds) are wild caught, which you don't want. They aren't bred in the amount of numbers that leopard geckos are, so they can't keep the importation down like with leos. Most of the imports will be missing their original tails, and could be full of parasites. I had a pair of WC in Japan and while I did get 3 babies(over 2 years), they never did put on a whole lot of weight and thrive. They were more trouble than I like to have with an animal, and I'm very patient. If you see a deal that's too good to be true (like adult AFTs for $26) they're probably imports, so ask their history and be skeptical.
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Rob Jenkins
Have you seen the GeckoCam?
Buy Geckos Here
Email Me

oOoo i didn't even think of that one! thanks

i'll remember this info if anyone ever asks me~ but i pretty much decided to stick with a leo... plus i like the cute little smiles that some of them have

i was debating between geckos and anoles, gex won, debated b/w geckos and beardies, gex won, debated b/w leos & cresteds, leos won, and now have debated b/w AFTs and leos, and leos win.. so i think it's a sign hehe! thanks for your help... you have been really helpful (especially b/c you gave your help in my other posts) and i thank you for your assistance! it's much appreciated by myself, as well as my future leo
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1.0 Black Lab / Pitbull mix (Mikey)
1.0 Blue Fighting Fish (Blue Balls)

While AFT's are very easy to care for... the leopards probably still do make the better "starter lizard".

Leos are a little bit hardier than aft's, and don't stress quite as easily. Don't get me wrong, Aft's are super easy to keep, just not quite as easy as leos.

As far as temperment... both are easily tamed, but the fat tails are definitely the more naturally docile of the two.
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-Ross Payan - www.LeosAnonymous.com

Leos Anonymous

Ball Pythons, Red Striped Leos, W.Hognose and Screaming AFT's

Thanks I appreciate the help from everyone

Because I don't want to stress an AFT out and make his tail wiggle off, I think I'm going to stick to my original plan and buy a leopard gecko. I was going to wait until next year, but I already want to get one I have the terrarium and everything already...hehe~ I don't know what I was thinking when I bought them, especially since I kept in mind that I wanted to buy the gecko next year.. hehe~

>> still doing more research...

Thanks again all!

-Aimee
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1.0 Black Lab / Pitbull mix (Mikey)
1.0 Blue Fighting Fish (Blue Balls)