best starter gecko?
- Thread starter Wind Dancer
- Start date
Dyesub Dave
New member
I am by no means an expert but I do recognize some of the latin names or have a general idea. I didn't know what this name was and would have to google it as well. I generally try to use both the common and latin names for clarity. ;-)
In any event I haven't kept leos before but do have many cresties along with several other species. ( See my signature ... only latin names there though. )
While I can't compare the two I generally suggest crested geckos for people starting out. The room temps thing works great for me however as previously mentioned it may depend on where you live. I don't really see how the small bit of Crested Gecko Diet or making your own fruit smoothies would be cheaper than buying live food such as crix but I haven't done the math to figure it out. I know that I spend about $50 - $60 on live food every two weeks for all the critters that I have. Whereas fruit seems relatively cheap in comparison. Some cresties can be a bit jumpy but most calm down after being out for a bit. And even if cresties cost a bit more to feed I would think that would offset the cost of having to heat the leos.
As previously mentioned in the excellent post by SSCHIND it all comes down to a matter of preference. However it may also be a good idea to start with a easy to care for gecko such as a leo or crestie to get experience before moving on to something a bit more advanced.
BTW - Aren't Panther Geckos (Paroedura pictus) also supposed to be easy to care for and fairly inexpensive? Not sure about handling though. Just trying to offer another possibility.
Good luck with whatever you end up getting and be sure to post some pics when you get your new friend home!! ;-)
Dyesub Dave. :biggrin:
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T-ReXx
New member
Leopards or Cresteds, no contest. They both have their merits, I actually consider leos to be slightly easier to care for because of habitat requirements, arboreal geckos require a slightly more complicated setup than terrestrials, but cresteds are easier with temps and feeding. As far as handling goes, adult cresteds and leopards are about equal, cresties can be a bit jumpy, but they grow out of it.
We have leos, p. picta and one AFT. They all require about the same care which works out well for us. The pictus and fatty require daily mistings due to a higher humidity need. The pictus also require a slightly cooler temp than the leos or fat tail. If you are looking for what takes the least amount of space of the three I mentioned, go with the pictus. Our fatty is the most calm. We breed the leos, and they are the ones with the most options for coloration, pattern and genetics because I believe they have been bred the longest in captivity. I have to agree with Dyesub Dave, and say get what interests you the most as long as you are willing to care for it. I am glad to see you are doing your research BEFORE getting an animal including cost comparisons. You get a +1 on the respect scale. Let us know what you pick too.
Leopardgeckoz
New member
My votes on leopard geckos they can be very tame by nature and easily handle-able. Each gecko has their upsides, but my hearts allways been with the leos in the gecko department.
OffshoreMetal
New member
I totally agree with you.
Leos do not require any misting. Just a Moist hide. Are easily handlable and have lovely personality
Wind Dancer
New member
thanks everyone!
i've decided on a crested gecko. *hopefully* my new baby will be home within a few weeks!
i've decided on a crested gecko. *hopefully* my new baby will be home within a few weeks!
OffshoreMetal
New member
Good ! Give us news and post some pictures when youll have it !
Wind Dancer
New member
will do !
!
cornysnake
New member
african fat tailed geckos are a great and easy starter gecko to me!
Love Pets
New member
Hi all.I am new here.I don't have any gecko,but I have 7 T's,one guinea pig,one dwarf hamster and one canary.
I want to get a gecko,and don't know what sp.
I want a small one,who don't needs heating(I want to keep it at room temperature),relative cheap and easy to find on the market.
I think the paroedura picta is the perfect gecko for me(they can be kept at room's temperature,right?),but you have any other suggestions???
Thanks! ;-)
I want to get a gecko,and don't know what sp.
I want a small one,who don't needs heating(I want to keep it at room temperature),relative cheap and easy to find on the market.
I think the paroedura picta is the perfect gecko for me(they can be kept at room's temperature,right?),but you have any other suggestions???
Thanks! ;-)
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cliff_f
New member
Sounds like to me if you want cheap and easy you should go get a plastic gecko in the toy section of your favorite store. That is cheap and easy and then you can leave the gecko keeping to people that actually care about them.
Wind Dancer
New member
chill. that guy was way out of line. it's not a crime to want a gecko but not have a ton of $$$ to do it with. i already had the cage, but i got Lex+all her stuff for under $60:biggrin:
i personally think a crested gecko would be great for you. i was just like you about a year ago when i first started looking into geckos other than leos. i now have had mine for 2 weeks and it's so easy! i just change out the food every other day, mist once a day and check on 'em every evening! depending on how much cash you have you could start out with a 6qt tub with paper towels and (cardboard) egg crate for a hatchling or a 10 gallon tank(this is what i'm using) or a exo-terra, etc. the two big things that i've noticed are-s/he loves climbing on the branches from outside(bake @ 200 for 15ish) and only to feed a little bit. i saw so many posts from people freaking out that their hatchling wasn't eating that i knew to only put a little in, but really, a 1/4 tsp in a bottle cap works like a charm and i can see what s/he's eaten.
hopefully that helps a little bit, sorry, i don't know anything about P. Picta.
cliff_f
New member
I dont see where I was out of line. What it sounded like to me is that the person is to worried about spending money on the animal they just want a "throw away pet" so if it dies they are not out alot of money. In my years of experience people that are that worried about getting a animal dirt cheap wont take care of them properly because they do not have the funds to do so.
I am just stating the obvious this person just wants a new pet and don't care what kind it is as long as it is cheap. If this person did care they would already of done research on their own and would have a general idea of what he/she wants and not just be asking what is cheap and has minimal care.
I am glad to see you are putting your two weeks worth of experience in. Maybe we all have something to learn from it.
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Love Pets
New member
I have to spent 200 $ for the gecko and i can care it.All my animals are healthy and good looking,the gecko will be as well.
I am not a person who buy an animal only to have more pets.I care my pets very good,I had pets all of my life.
I think I will get a gecko after I educate myself.
BTW,thanks for the info. :cheer:
I am not a person who buy an animal only to have more pets.I care my pets very good,I had pets all of my life.
I think I will get a gecko after I educate myself.
BTW,thanks for the info. :cheer:
Wind Dancer
New member
a)I said up front that I'd had my crested for two weeks. I never claimed to know everything, I just threw my two cents in for him. b) just because you don't have a huge amount of time or a large wad of cash doesn't mean you can't love an animal and take very good care of it.
And since he was asking about P. Picta and any other suggestions we may have, I think he has done at least some research(which I know from experience can only take you so far;-)).
Have you settled on a species, Love Pets?