Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i just found out leos stop growing at around 2-3. So why do they still shed? Or might i be mistaken about the age of my gecko. (i got him at as an adult from a pet store) I figure mines around 5 yrs. but he still sheds. Don't they only shed because they've gotten bigger??

the possible debate is about the leo industry as a whole. Does anyone have an opinion on what the cheap cost of leos might being doing to them as an animal? I work in a pet store and often find people disregard the fact that what they are buying is a live and needs particular care because they're so cheap. Leading to many abused, neglected and abandonded animals. This is especially true of turtles, iguanas, ferrets, and chameleons. I wonder if it's such a good thing that these animals are available for so little money? That's not to say i don't appreciate being able to buy something without breaking the bank, but i think of myself as a responsible pet keeper, and i know that there are far more irresponsible pet keepers then there should be. anyway, anyone who has an opion i'd love to hear it

Leos (and all reptiles i think) continue to shed because that's the way they get rid of their old skin and make way for the new skin. Even if they're adults their bodies periodically generate new skin, same as people. Remember, people shed old skin too, its just not in one piece. In fact, people are constantly shedding tiny bits of old skin, its kinda disgusting when you think about it. the reptile way is much neater i think.

Also, they say that snakes never really stop growing, just after a certain age the growth is verrry slow. Possibly this is true of leos too, I don't know.

And about your possible debate, there's no argument here. I'm in total agreement. The past few years I've been watching the price of normal leos come down and lamenting the fact that they're now in the category of "throw-away pets". But what can you do? Just educate people and hope for the best. Since you're working in a pet store you can educate a lot of new leo owners and hopefully make a difference.

I agree with you completely. I also work at a pet store and it's sad. It's hard to convince a lot of people to buy all the escential equipment that is going to keep their pets alive when the total cost of the set up is 2,3 even 10 times or more the cost of the pet. I've refused a lot of sales to people who I know are going to go home, throw the lizard or turtle or frog in a tiny plastic kritter keeper with no lights and no heat just because the animal is small and cheap! It's sad when it comes to vet care too! The average person doesn't want to spend $50 to take their $15 pet to the vet and make it better! Really though, all we can do is try our hardest to educate people that our less expensive pets are living breathing creatures that need our love and care. Because my best guess is that prices for geckos, anoles, iguanas, etc. are only going to keep dropping.
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Emily

1.2 SHTCT (Gus, Baby & Gizmo)
.1 Tangerine (Ziggy)
1.1 Patternless (Zander & Daisy)
.3 Hypo High Yellow (Zoe, Dini, & Munch)
1. Normal (Nelson)
.1 ???? (Unnamed)
1.1 ferrets (Oliver and Delilah)
1. budgie (Max)
0.0.1 Ring neck Parakeet (Kiwi)
1.1 German Shepards (Jake and Abigail)

The Spotted Gecko
**Updated 01-07-05**

I've never found leos in pet stores for less than $40 (for a baby) and $70 for an adult. Even then I wouldn't buy because they're not active at all whatsoever and don't look that healthy. Maybe it's just the area I'm in but even at herp shows they're usually at least $25 around here.

~Katie
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2.1 Cornsnakes (Slink, Shadow, ?)
0.3 Leopard Geckos (Cutie, Lily, and ?)
0.1 Savannah Monitor (Sam)
1.2 Pac Man Frogs(Gordito, Spud, and Diablo)
1.2 Suriname Toad (Squishy)
0.0.2 Giant Millipede (Mega & ?)
lots of snails and fish...

At a pet store I live near, there are baby leo's for 50 dallors and an albino for $70. They all are about a month old and probably weight 3 grams. I bet they weighted more then that in the egg. Its so sad, I agree.

But, there is another pet store that I sell some of my babies to that takes pritty good care of them...but it is family owned.

Places like PetsMart and PetCo, that don't loose any money to a little lizard, just don't care. If you ever have the choice to go to a family owned or a Company Store, for anything, help the one that treats there pets better.

I guess its like buying Gurl Scout cookies even thou store brand is cheaper and might taste better, lol.

Austin
2.3.3
ha ha

Some family owned are not any better.

I want to say you are from NC like me. They hike the price up on them and don't care what kind of condition they sell them to you.

i agree that it's sad. one upside to increased availability of any animal, to *slightly* offest all of the crappiness, is greater awareness of its needs in general. though, if you watch any of those 'animal cops' shows on animal planet, it's easy to see that some people are just total idiots, and either lack empathy for their animal, or are incapable of realizing when their care is inadequate. so many people think that just because something isn't human, it's practically an inanimate object.

i do think it's disgusting how people will be unwilling to pay veterinary costs for animals they buy. many times people come on this very forum, asking for quick fixes to problems with their geckos, and reply to the inevitable 'take it to a vet' with the, 'no way, it only cost $20!'

*sigh*

i could lament about this for a long time... it's like the debate regarding enforcing standards on the reptile pet trade, and how it would just end up making the whole thing illegal (or something like that- haven't heard that debate in a while).
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marla
currently: 0.0.9 catfish, 0.1 ferrets, 2.8.3 leopard geckoes, 0.0.13 oriental fire-bellied toads, and 0.2.0 sugar gliders