Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I want a leopard gecko, but I'm afraid of large expenses. My parents won't pay for much (large costs, like going to the vet not included), and I do work - I complete chores and baby-sit, which can mean up to as much as $50 a week if I'm lucky.

Are Leopard Geckos expensive? Will I be able to afford one and keep it healthy and happy with my income?

Also, what do I need to buy, like a tank, food, heating sources, substrate, ect? How much do those items cost? How much does a regular male gecko cost?

If someone could give me the basic items and costs for a Leopard Gecko, I would really appreciate it!

ZeroX

Here is how to make a nice leo cage on a budget.

Cage-Rubbermaid container (try to find a nice large size, not to large) $5
substrate-Paper towels (1 roll last a long time)-$1
water dish-CLEANED lid to peanut butter, jelly, pickle jar, etc-$ free after use of thing that was inside jar
calcium dish-CLEANED lid to peanut butter, jelly, pickle jar, etc-$ free after use of thing that was inside jar
Hides-as a baby toilet paper/paper towel tubes work good, then you can use gladware containers-$5 for like 5 hides
food-mealworms, order of 500-1000 every 3 months-$10
calcium-Thing of miner-all/calcium supplement-$5
vitamin-thing of vitamin supplement-$5
Heating-One human heat pad (make sure it cover 1/3-1/2 cage)-$15
Temps-one digital therm-$15 or two reptile analog thermometers-$5

Total start up cost (not including leo)- $51-61
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0.1 "Tremper" looking Albino Leopard gecko (Lex)
0.0.1 tiger crested gecko (peachs)
1.1 Feral cats that we adopted (Fuzzy, and Bear)

I'm not a owner of any herps, just a domicile attendant.

My image Gallery

Omigod! Thanks so much guys! I was SO concerned that it would be extrememly expensive, but now I could probably afford a gecko with the money I have saved up. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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If being obsessed with animals was an occupation, I'd be rich!

There are three steps to caring for animals:

Feed, Clean, Handle, Nuture...
Love, Love, Love!

np
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0.1 "Tremper" looking Albino Leopard gecko (Lex)
0.0.1 tiger crested gecko (peachs)
1.1 Feral cats that we adopted (Fuzzy, and Bear)

I'm not a owner of any herps, just a domicile attendant.

My image Gallery

For $50.00 a week you should be able to afford a leopard gecko. You can buy a gecko online for $50.00 including shipping. Or you can go to a reputable pet store and buy one for around $30.00. Then all you need is a cage and you can buy a 10 gallon aquarium at a pet store for about $20.00. Food should cost no more than $5.00 a week. You can also use paper towels for a substrate and you can make your own hides out of old, sterilized food containers. Depending on temps you will need a heating pad, but you should be able to get one at a pet store for a decent price.

Hope this helps,

Matt
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2.9 SHCT Leopard Geckos
0.0.6 and counting SHCT Leopard Geckos
0.2 Tangerine Albinos
1.2 Veiled Chameleons
1.1 Arizona Mt. Kings