Are leopard geckos good pets?

Question

i just got a bearded dragon and LOVE him, and think that reptiles and amphibians are cool in general. i was thinking about maybe getting a leopard gecko, just because they are realy cool looking. my biology teacher had one and said it was "boring" but i dont see how that makes sense...i mean, what about a leopard gecko would really be that much different than a bearded dragon?

so i was wondering if they make good pets.

are they easy to take care of?

is there a particular reason they would be "boring"?

are they expensive?

Answer 1

I don't see how a leopard gecko would be boring... they are very cute and friendly.

They are very easy to take care of, as far as you need water dish, calcium powder, warm-moist hide, cool-hide, and a warm hide which can be like a basking rock. As far as expense.. it depends. I've noticed that buying them when they are really little is cheaper than an adult.

Hope that helps! :D

Answer 2

leopard geckos are wonderful pets, they are non aggressive they do not cost much at all, and they do not get very big. they are the #2 best reptile for families or just in general, bearded dragon is the #3, and your biology teacher is right, they are some what boring.

Answer 3

Your Science Teacher probably thinks they're boring because they're so easy to take care of.  All you really have to do is buy them all the things they need.  Like a tank, rocks hiding spots, and if they're babies then you should use a reptile carpet until they're adults then you can use sand.  Then all you need to do is feed them and clean the cage.  They are sort of expensive.  I got mine for about $45 and mine were babies but i think it's worth it.

Answer 4

yes, I think they make great pets... they are very quiet, they don't climb in general, for example trying to escape from cage. They are nocturnal which is kinda a turnoff, but hey if yer a night person like me its awsome..lmao.. but yea they're extremely easy to take care of, just make sure you clean the water regularly, and change the moss and or substrate, what i use is reptile carpet due to impaction, once a month, and feed them. all animals can be generally boring, but i wouldn't consider leos to be particularly boring, i find mine very amusing, and it depends on what type of leo you are looking for for example albinos can range expensively like around 50 - 60 or more, but just a normal leo runs about 35 -40 bucks............ hope this helps.. good luck

Answer 5

My daughter volunteers at a local reptile rescue center and we have adopted a bearded dragon and 2 leopard geckos.  Compared to a beardie, leopard geckos ARE boring.  They don't come out during the day and don't like being handled like beardies do.  They are fun to look at, but thats' about it.  Don't get me wrong, I love my 2 little guys (well, actually 1 guy and 1 girl), but our beardie is soooo much more fun!!!!

Answer 6

well what your teacher probably meant by boring is that they rarely come out of their hides during the day and sometimes don't come out of their hides until late at night. they can also be kinda skittish  and don't really seem to take handling as well as bearded dragons but they can be tamed to the point that they feel comfortable around people and sometimes even sleep outside their hides. compared to a bearded dragon they are cheap to own and setup for. i payed about $39 for my gecko and about $60 for the enclosure, furniture, hides, etc and shes been doing great

heres a good caresheet

http://www.repticzone.com/caresheets/906...

heres my gecko tank

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb46/...

Answer 7

First of all, KUDDOS for doing some homework before you get the animal.  This shows responsibility and bodes well for your and your new pet.

I think they're adorable little creatures.  When I'm not busy taking care of my own, the rest of my time is taken up in rescuing and rehabbing lizards such as Leos, Beardies, etc. which have been housed on various sands, or loose substrates, and are impacted.  It's SO sad to work so hard to save one - and have it die in your hands JUST because no one will listen about the dangers of impaction, bacteria, and parasites.

Most of the sites listing that it is okay to house lizards on sand have not been updated in 5 yr. or longer, and do not reflect the released results of current impaction studies.

So, before I invest time explaining how wonderful these creatures are which can live twice as long as a beardie with proper care and nutrition - let me ask what substrate your keeping your beardie on?

I don't find any living animal boring, and I own many.  Leo's are predominantly nocturnal, so you need to observe them in the evening with a red basking bulb once the UVA light is turned off.  I find their lidded eyes irrisistable.  I love to watch them blink, or l**k an eyeball.  lol  Mine are very personable and will take insects from my fingers.

They are also very curious and come to investigate my hand, if I'm spot cleaning in the tank, or rearranging things.  Most tame to handling, but I have one male who prefers to be left alone.  Though he doesn't like to be held, he will take treats from my hand, and also comes quickly to see what I'm doing in his tank.

Normal color morphs are very affordable, and easy to obtain.

Be a good owner, and thoroughly research the animal and its needs before you get one.  An informed owner is a happy one who has healthy and content pets.

http://www.beardeddragon.org/bjive/

http://www.georgiabeardeddragons.com/pag...

http://www.angelfire.com/darkside/ozrept...

http://www.bio.miami.edu/ktosney/file/BD...

http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.co...

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?...

--DISCLAIMER-- Please do not keep your lizard(s) of any age on play/repti sand or loose substrate.  Impaction and bacteria issues are real and serious – and can result in death.  Consult your reptile veterinarian for their opinion.

Enjoy your pets.

I hope this has been helpful.