Leopard gecko breeding

[Grendel]

HI my names Ted, Im thinking about breeding leopard geckos but need specifics on the how to. can you help? Its a long list but here are the things i dont know: Necessary weight of the female, how to do the winter cool down thing, incubation (any of it), and layboxes. Any help or direction would be appreciated.

and find me on facebook http://www.facebook.com/sh00terman

 

[acpart]

Consider googling "leopard gecko breeding" and reading some of what you come up with. The very short answers so far are: female at least 50 grams, no cool down needed. There's lots on the internet, well beyond the scope of a thread, to answer most of your other questions. Then come back here with more specific questions.

ALiza

 

[Yoshi'smom]

I'm just going to throw my opinion out for you to think over.
I personally don't think we need more leopard gecko breeders in this hobby. I have three leopard geckos that are rescues that needed new homes because someone no longer wanted to take care of them (or didn't have the funds to care for them anymore). I see several ads on craigslist weekly for leopard geckos that need to be re-homed. If I could, I'd take them all in. But there are not too many people with the skills, income, or time to take care of a lizard that will live to be 20 or so years old.
I don't think it's a great idea to do on any large scale (IE: to try to sell offspring or anything likewise). I think you could safely incubate a few eggs and keep the babies, but only if you're willing to take the time and have the space to feed all of the mouths (baby and juvie leos have voracious appetites and eat a lot because they are growing).
Should you choose the small scale/few babies route, then I wish you luck. I have no experience with breeding and don't intend to. Let us know how everything goes, regardless.
Hope I didn't step on any toes. I didn't intend to.

 

[sajane]

Good luck on the gecko breeding! It's very rewarding. You will not make any money at it, but if you have connections at reptile shows or with a reputable pet shop , they are very easy to sell at reasonable prices.

 

[Saskia]

I'm just going to throw my opinion out for you to think over.
I personally don't think we need more leopard gecko breeders in this hobby. I have three leopard geckos that are rescues that needed new homes because someone no longer wanted to take care of them (or didn't have the funds to care for them anymore). I see several ads on craigslist weekly for leopard geckos that need to be re-homed. If I could, I'd take them all in. But there are not too many people with the skills, income, or time to take care of a lizard that will live to be 20 or so years old.
I don't think it's a great idea to do on any large scale (IE: to try to sell offspring or anything likewise). I think you could safely incubate a few eggs and keep the babies, but only if you're willing to take the time and have the space to feed all of the mouths (baby and juvie leos have voracious appetites and eat a lot because they are growing).
Should you choose the small scale/few babies route, then I wish you luck. I have no experience with breeding and don't intend to. Let us know how everything goes, regardless.
Hope I didn't step on any toes. I didn't intend to.

I just want to BACK UP EVERYTHING KELLY IS SAYING HERE!! There are far too many leos needing a new home, there´s no need to breed more, I learned that long ago, I have bred but I keep my babies and I am not breeding anymore because I don´t have the time and resources to support more babies at home at this moment of my life, and I just couldn´t sleep well knowing I produced a baby that could end up in bad hands, again, the intention is not to start a fire here, or argue, just hope you give it a 2nd thaught, that´s also why all my dogs are neutered and spayed (also rescues), too many dogs out there needing a home, why should I breed more??

 

[BrooklynJoe]

While I am in agreement of what has been said to the breeding piece, I also disagree with discouraging new comers. Do you say that music should be limited because everyone has made a song about love ? While I do agree all things should be done with a bit of accountability and responsibility. I do believe everyone should be given the chance to access proper info on something and make the option for themselves.

"Don’t condemn if you see a person has a dirty glass of water,just show them the clean glass of water that you have. When they inspect it, you won’t have to say that yours is better."
-The Great Elijah Muhammad

To the OP:
As for your general broad question you should check out some care sheets via google i suggest Ron Trempers care sheet, GeckoBoa.com, THEURBANGECKO, ETC... from my readings I approve of their caresheets and breeding suggestions, I will just a add a spin to mine.

Than narrow your breeding questions down, so folks can give you a better response.

 

[Saskia]

Appreciated Joe,
Breeding is a wonderful experience everyone should have at least once, the intention is not to discourage anyone, just to be absolutely sure about what to do with the babies, because many people breed and when the babies come they don´t know what to do, (sell, give away, or keep), your comparison with songs is not accurate because songs don´t have a life, and don´t need homes, animals are living creatures, any artist can write a million songs, and that won´t affect a living being, if you produce living creatures (geckos, or whatever animal you want to breed) you should be aware that they´ll have needs, and requirements, and the breeder (a responsible one at least) is the responsible for that living being, there are not enough good homes for all the leos that are being produced at this point, that´s why there are so many rescues, and neglect stories, just check the clasified adds, even in this web, every leo that is hatched at this point means one less home available, the number of good homes is not increasing, if we increase the number of leos we are just pushing the balance in one direction: More neglected leos, once again, songs don´t need homes or care, animals do.
Every puppy dog that is born in a puppy mill, or even in a good home (that doesn´t plan on keeping it) means one more dog that wll die in a shelter or in the streets, it´s abouth math, not enough good homes/leo keepers for the number of leos right now. If the OP is planning on keeping his babies, or already has families waiting for them, go ahead (but even if that was the case those families could opt for adopting a leo...), the intention (once again) is not to discourage, but just to get him/her to think it through and be sure about it before doing it, because it´s living creatures we are talking about, the main point is not that there are too many breeders right now, but that there aren´t enough homes for the offspring, hope I didn´t hit any nerves, was not the intention, having my animal rescue has given me a whole new perspective about breeding any animal, it´s not pretty what you see when you find the reality

 

[sajane]

everyone is intitled to their own opinions. people have children everyday also in a world where their are many unwanted children. We all cannot take responsiblity for the actions of other.just my opinion

 

[Harley_Davidson]

While I understand what you are saying Joe, I gotta side with Kelly and Saskia on this one and who knows more about the affects of overpopulation and picking up the pieces than these two ladies. They have been involved in many rescues and have seen first hand the affects of unwanted critters.

So that said, Ted, if you stil intend on breeding all I can say is research research research. There is alot of great resources online and some not so good ones. Take everything you read, compile it together, and what seems to be a commonality with them all, is typically the way to go.

Either way, good luck!

 

[Grendel]

i may breed my other species intead since there is a higher demand for other species with low supply. it will either be afts or skunks

 

[Saskia]

i may breed my other species intead since there is a higher demand for other species with low supply. it will either be afts or skunks

That´s also a great option!!! Other species which are still not that into "the market" will have a better chance of finding good homes!! And you still get to live the experience of reproducing!! Great choice! :banana:

 

[Grendel]

I would maintain contact with my customers. Instructing them to call me with concerns and questions and if they didnt want it after a while i would buy it back. I would also ensure the morallity of pet stores and dealers i sold to.

 

[ozmanbg]

thnx for sharing +rep

 

[SaSobek]

Part 3 Finally lets talk Breeding. - YouTube

 

[Jonnyinga]

Part 3 Finally lets talk Breeding. - YouTube

^ SaSobek's videos are awesome. Very informative!

 

[VeeDubLove]

While I am in agreement of what has been said to the breeding piece, I also disagree with discouraging new comers. Do you say that music should be limited because everyone has made a song about love ?

Music is not alive, cannot be mistreated, or suffer. But that was almost a good analogy... kind of. The only truly comparable subject for an analogy on this topic would be one concerning living beings, otherwise you lose the gravity of the matter.

The gravity belonging only to those who can see themselves in other beings.

 

[crittersgalore]

i think breeding leos is perfectly fine thats how we get new subspecies