Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been thinking lately about why I want a leopard gecko, and here's what I've come up with:

Basically, I love reptiles, and want more of them. The leopard gecko seems like a good way to go, since it's smaller and less expensive to take care of than a bearded dragon (honestly, if I had more money and more space, I'd probably get another beardie, because they are by far my most favorite reptile). Plus, they don't require as much time, which is good because I have homework, drumming, and other stuff that needs doing every night, and since leos can only be handled up to something like 15 minutes a day, I won't have to worry about one becoming depressed from lack of play time as my beardie seems to do when I don't take him out for a couple of days (we go away from friday to sunday almost every weekend in summer, so when I get back sidney just gives me a look like "where the hell have you been?" and I take him out and he's happy again). I also like that they don't necessarily come tamed like my sidney did. I'm still not sure if I am going to get a baby, juvi, or adult. An adult would be nice because it's already sort of used to people, and it's a little less fragile. A juvi would be nice too because of the same properties. But a baby would also be cool because I could spend time taming it, and watch it grow. I also like that leos live a long life. It's sort of sad to think about the fact that sidney is already between 1.5-2 years old, so he only has between 4-8 more years left (10 more years possibly, I hope). I try not to think about that, because I hate it when pets die because they all have their own personalities, but I move on eventually (it took me a few weeks to recover when my "grow-a-frogs" died, after 10 years of having them). So obviously the leo's life span of 14-20 years is nice. Finally, the size of them is something I sort of like. They're small enough to keep in a 10 gallon tank, but big enough where you can actually handle them (unlike anoles, which I have never owned and don't plan on owning).

What made you think about leos? Oh, also, since my beardie eats like a pig anyways I have to get 100 crix every two weeks, so I'm not going to be breaking the bank feeding them their crix and worms.

later

i got my leo because my girlfriend(this is her screen name)wanted a reptile she could hold and interact with that wasnt too big or wasnt to hard to handle,plus i had everything on hand and didnt need to buy anything for it
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1.3 Leopard Gecko's
1.0 mali uromastyx
0.0.3 tokay's(adults unsexed)

i wanted a leo because i was trying to find info on RES's... but because i heard they smell terrible and become really big, i decided - hey, lizards are cool (i used to go out with my cousins and find some in his big backyard). so i searched beginner lizards, wrote them all down - researched each one, and chose the one that wouldn't get so big and was the cheapest... just to start me off... and i love my leo

because of her, i'm planning to get a crested gecko and a frilled dragon over the summer. frilleds seem pretty cool! i hear their a little harder to tame than beardies~ i'm excited to see if my bro and i are actually gonna get one coz we're gonna build its cage

[aimEe]
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0.1.0 Albino Leopard Gecko (Marlene)
0.0.2 Fire Bellied Toads (Norman & Forman)
0.2.0 African Dwarf Frogs (Hobo & Bobo)
1.0.0 Fighting Fish (Blue Balls)
0.0.2 Hermit Crabs (Kirby & Furby)
1.0.0 Black Lab / Pit Bull (Mikey)
aimee.i8.com

Hey, how long have you been playing drums? I've been playing for about 11 years, middle school, high school, drum corps. Just curious...

Raydeohed
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0.1.0 Leopard Gecko "Lego"

4 or 5 years that I really tried to play, and about 6 that I've played in total (the first year or so was just in school, then I started taking lessons in sixth grade). I'm in 10th grade right now, and I'm playing a level 5 snare solo and level 4 marimba. My teacher (who played proffesionally most his life and went to teaching) says that I have a great style and sticking with snare drum, and that if I practiced more I could do even better. I usually try to practice the snare and bells and stuff at least 5 out of 7 days a week, for about 30 minutes each day, but if I miss a day it's hard to get back into doing it every day again. Drumset I just play for fun mostly, and in bands, as it's not really required to get into college for music and teaching (which is what I'm probably going to go for, even if the pay's not so good. I could always teach lessons or something on the side). But just from messing around on the drumset and building off of grooves I was taught years ago, I think I've become pretty good at it. I really like playing grooves with wierd time signatures or wierd grooves. Also, right now I'm working out of the book "syncopation for the modern drummer" which is tough at times but fun. I'm also doing "stick control", and some other stuff. I just recently converted to playing traditional grip which I use for almost every style of music.

Basically I'd like to do something to do with music or reptiles for a career, even though they don't pay very well.

I was considering doing drum corps, but I don't think it's really for me. A kid at my school does drum corps, and he's much better at snare than me, but that's all he's better than me at. He can't sight read either.

later

Thats cool... I've been playing for about 8 or 9 years... I marched for 6 seasons highschool marching band and 3 seasons indoor drumline. last year i marched for a DCA corp... its was ok... now that im not going to school anymore i focus 90% of my drumming on drumet alone
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Lover of Albinos

I'm not a teacher by profession, but there are teachers in my family. In this part of California, teaching music and biology (have herps in the classroom) is a viable combination. My sister in law is an art teacher who also teaches U.S. history and whatever they're calling citizenship now. Starting pay is not bad (around $30k a year) but the budget, state and local, is a real pain. Her budget to get all supplies for five (5) high school art classes is exactly .... ready? .... $0.00. She does have textbooks for her history classes, no problems there.

Any supplies for the art classes come from parents, donations, and out of her own paycheck.

This current budget crisis will pass, and if you can teach in more than one area you become more desirable & valuable as an employee.

Best of luck whatever you end up doing!
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Andrea A.

My friend actually has a leo, and when I held his I decided I wanted one. Their appearance also made me want one, so happy looking all the time. I also thought about a beardie, but decided on a leo since I have to pay for all the food (leos eat quite a bit less). I kinda got ripped off on the price 100$ for a reduced pattern tang, but I dont ever regret buying Aurora, shes the nicest thing, loves coming out, and never puts up a fuss about eating. My male leo Angy(after angus young) I got at a red deer show. All the other geckos were almost adults, and I wanted a baby so i could watch him grow (Aurora was an adult when i got her). Later
Mac

Well...I started getting into Leo's about 7 years ago. but i stoped buying them for about 4..my fist after that was King..then Frito then Trinity then Rayne..what made me become interested in Leos.. well there natural beauty there docile nature. the fact that they dont need a natural setup..and the fact that there one of the if the easiest herp to breed..

King Frito Trinity Rayne and Emma (in the order in which there were purchased

I decided to own leopard geckos because at the time I had owned, 2.2 green anoles, 1.0 golden geckos and 1.1 mediterraean geckos(I caught them). I really, really wanted a new breed of reptile to buy so I could move up the bar on my reptile experience. I discovered the "Leopard Gecko" somehow here on kingsnake.ca(Before I moved to America from Canada), I believe. I believe on "The Urban Gecko" too. From there I studied everything caresheet I stumbled upon. I thought about what housing/care was preferred amungst keepers and breeders and compared. I have learned alot after studying Leopard geckos for hours upon hours, but this is only the beginning. My first leo I owned was from PetSmart, and a cute lil' guy too. Unfortunately when I was in Texas and thought I could bring him to Canada via cargo or something.. I couldn't. My mum took care of my leo for about 1 and 1/2 weeks and said.. "I can't do this", so she took him back. I was upset of course, but realized it's for the best. I soon shoveled driveway upon driveway to save up for a gecko from our local pet store who is a total rip-off.. 79.99-100.00 for a leo depending on age. Well, I had to moved to Texas before I could buy my leo, but I did start my whole herp colony over(My others went to my cousin's boyfriend--a knowlegable herper). I remembered that the Leo was my christmas present from my mum and I told her I still had a "reign-check" for one. That's when I recieved "Ron", months later, "Raine" from my own cash. I just love how they look and how they have a sweet dispostion.

So now I have become SO into Leopard Geckos that I want to start breeding colony and enjoy working with them. All of the money will go right back into my Leos as well. I hope this is a LONG enough reason lol. I just overall love them! Not to mention they are hardy, affordable, easily maintained and fun to own! They are a great lizard for any herper, beginner-master. Take Care!

-Britney
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1.1 Leos(Ron and Raine), 2.1 Kitty Cats(Bubba, Angelo and Cookie) and 1.1 Rouen Ducks(Buddy and M.J.).

NP
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1.1 Leos(Ron and Raine), 2.1 Kitty Cats(Bubba, Angelo and Cookie) and 1.1 Rouen Ducks(Buddy and M.J.).

Canada to Texas must be quite a change! I remember moving from Oregon many years ago and being surprised as well as incredibly disappointed to find out my gerbil could not cross the border. In California, you can't have gerbils, ferrets, etc. You can have only one of any native animal, and that's if you have a fishing license. I can't buy rubber boas, california kings (regardless of morph), or California newts. I like all three a lot but California has .. an interesting perspective.

Congrats also on saving that much money to buy your own leopard gecko. That's commendable and from the way you write I'm sure your critters get the best care possible.

>> Unfortunately when I was in Texas and thought I could bring him to Canada via cargo or something.. I couldn't. My mum took care of my leo for about 1 and 1/2 weeks and said.. "I can't do this", so she took him back. I was upset of course, but realized it's for the best. I soon shoveled driveway upon driveway to save up for a gecko from our local pet store who is a total rip-off.. 79.99-100.00 for a leo depending on age.
>>
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Andrea A.