I have been posting off and on this board for many years. I have seen people come and go, flame wars about husbandry practices, and many pictures of beautiful leopard geckos; as well as stories, suggestions, and many questions that have really helped me to understand the animals that I love. I am not an expert by a long shot, but I have been breeding leopard geckos for about 6 years.
I have read a ton of posts about the breeding of leopard geckos by people that have owned their geckos for a relatively short while, to people who have yet to purchase their first gecko.
Don't get me wrong; I purchased my first pair of geckos with the intention of breeding them. However, I was 12 years old and incredibly immature (well at least by how I thought, and how I think now). These animals are not just little "Baby Makers". Many people who decide to breed do not take into consideration the hard work that Breeders put in to keep their animals healthy.
A fair amount of people dive in headfirst. Purchasing a ton of geckos, racks, bins, feeders, supplements, etc., then getting frustrated whenever their animals do not produce. They do not realize the patience required which is the key to success.
There are also a few other things that new-owners do not understand: the expense that is incurred due to a direct result of the geckos. Electric bills, supplements, feeders, gut load, paper towels (or any other substrate), hides, and most important of all, veterinary care.
So my advice to you Leopard Gecko enthusiasts who have yet to breed, but are thinking about it, give this a try. Own your geckos and make sure you are as in love with the species, as you are with breeding them. There is absolutely no guarantee that you will produce anything even if you breed. They are not a get rich quick scheme. Breeders are lucky if the animals they sell even cover the bills they incur, and perhaps buy a few more geckos here and there.
Also, be sure that your animals are 100% healthy before breeding. That is important. If they are sick, or their immunity is compromised in any way, if they are sub-par in weight, or aren't eating regularly -- do not breed them! Otherwise the female may die or get egg bound. The resulting eggs will then be weak and the hatchlings inside will be compromised.
That is my advice/rant.
-----
Josh Ellis
My Email
Geckophiles.com
----------------------------------
One big thing I think many don't give a lot of thought to is, what they plan to do with ALL the babies one breeding session can produce. I once saw the statement "you better breed what you REALLY like in case you can't find homes for them all". I admit I am new to breeding and I started by accident (long story). But I was already in love with my Leos, and have found the whole process amazing and look forward to next season. Now my biggest problem with the babies I produced isn't so much finding homes, it's finding homes that I trust to take care of them properly, I swear I'm paranoid about it LOL