Hi leo people! New to looking into breeding/raising Leos (interested in tangerines)

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nikic613

New member
Hi there!

I'm really interested in getting into leos again...I had three as pets when I was younger...and I had a lot of fun having them...adorable little guys!

I have always been fascinated by color genetics in animals. I actually used to raise coturnix quails specifically for producing colors....they of course seem a lot easier on the genetic front than leos seem....but it was fun none the less and I got really good at it.

So, once I decided I wanted to try my hand at leopard geckos, I researched the morphs and the hypo tangerines (specifically the baldies) caught my attention quickly. So, I think that is what I would like to work with.

I could easily buy at least a male already, but I am trying to wait until I am educated enough to make a....well...educated decision on which breeder, and what specific leo I want. I have contacted some breeders and one was nice enough to give me some advice.....and I feel like networking with others...could really help me out.

I just ordered a small kit of Dubia roaches, and heating pads and am trying to figure out what housing I would like for them. I don't want a massive operation....this will just be a serious hobby....*note* the serious part.

I am hoping in time I will know better if I need more than just one male....and how many females and the best incubator etc. Color genetics has always been something really strong for me....but I know almost nothing about leopard genetics yet...other than it seems that the tangerines...really need to be bred to other tangerines to keep the color going..but maybe I am wrong.

I am located in North Carolina, and I am curious if there are any breeders on here from NC....I know there are but I don't know if they are on this forum. I would LOVE to talk to you! I am trying to go about this as responsible and as serious as possible. I am NOT looking to make a profit.....as because I have already said....I had worked with quails before, and let me tell you, more money went into them than I made...but when I did make any money (which was never a profit mind you) it went into their feed and housing). I would love to talk to anyone, especially those knowledgeable on tangerines and those who maybe even breed them. That is the one that caught my eye the most. There are many beautiful morphs...but that one...I would love to get good at....and get back to my passions of color genetics. I feel like I may actually be able to perfect it once I have more knowledge.

Well I don't want to just keep rambling on..but ANY advice you can give me (ANYONE) would be wonderful. I know its expensive, I know its not profitable, I also know that I will have disappointments and that there are some problems in some lines. I am aware....I am just at the start though...this is going to be a very passionate hobby of mine....help a girl out! :)

THANK YOU AND HELLO!!! :D
Niki
 
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MistyBleil

New member
You will get good advise here from the old pros. Starting a feeding colony first was very, very smart. Good luck with your new hobby. I look forward to getting to "know" you as we both learn more about these Leos
 
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acpart

Well-known member
Welcome to GU. Leopard gecko breeding, especially with the kind of attitude you're expressing, is a great hobby. I wanted to color breed parakeets when I was younger, but never had the time, space and opportunity. Leopard geckos have been a great alternative. I'm in my 10th breeding season. Here are the resources that can provide what you need to get started, in my opinion:

leopardgeckowiki.com
reptilecalculator.com
Fun with Hets: Leopard Geckos Teach Genetics 101 | Gecko Time
Guide to Breeding Leopard Geckos on a Small Scale | Gecko Time
Breeding on a Small Scale Revisited | Gecko Time

Aliza
 
Conched

Conched

New member
I have not found many Leo breeders here in NC but I have had great luck getting some nice Leos from the Repticon Reptile show in Raleigh. I was just at the last show and they had hundreds of nice looking geckos to choose from. Most of the breeders at this show will talk to you about their husbandry practices. You can get a large amount of info in a short period of time.

The next show is in November. Here is the link.Repticon Raleigh Page

Happy leo hunting.
 
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nikic613

New member
Thank you for the information! I glanced a little blurb about repticon but I was trying to fill my head with so much knowledge about tangerines that I didn't really give it much thought! Raleigh isn't that far from me....and november isn't far away either!!!!! Thank you for that tidbit of information!
 
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nikic613

New member
Thank you Aliza!
Somewhere to start just what I needed! :D You saying that Leos are a great alternative is basically my feelings as well. I live in an apartment now, instead of the farm I grew up on...there's no way I can get back into the colors I did with the birds I had....that was a pretty large operation...:p. Leos are the reptile with all the attributes I like in a reptile....adorable...colorful, not hard to take care of, and the genetic potential is exciting! :)
 
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nikic613

New member
Thanks Misty Yeah.....it is killing me not having a leo yet....or at least picked out.....but I thought I should probably get all my other "eggs in a row" before I get a leo here and feel a tad empty handed :p I'm pretty excited to once again get an interest in color genetics, and be around like minded people....other people golf as a hobby.....mine I think will always be color genetics...:p


and guys, SORRY if I replied to these the wrong way.....I just realized I probably should have just quoted these or replied to all of the messages in one message....opps!
 
the funky gecko

the funky gecko

Member
you are just like me!:shock: i want to breed leopard geckos too. tangerines are my favorite. well here is some advice. For an incubator you should make one instead of buying one:). Here is how to make one(no pics:() so what you need is a cooler(Styrofoam or normal. i think Styrofoam is cheaper but it is up to you:D), water, aqua heater, a brick or something to keep the eggs dry, a Tupperware box big enough to hold all your eggs, moss or coconut mulch or something to keep the eggs moist, a thermometer, and the eggs. What you need to do is put the brick in the cooler and fill the cooler up with water but not enough to submerge the brick:wink:. then you put the aqua heater in the water and set the temperature to the right degree. The next step is to fill the Tupperware box with the moist substrate. Then put the eggs in the box and close the lid. put the box on the brick and then put the thermometer in the cooler and of course close the cooler lid. yay! you made your first incubator:yahoo:. this one is less then 20 dollars. hope you have fun breeding!

(i feel like a teacher:muhaha:)

the funky gecko
 
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nikic613

New member
the funky gecko said:
you are just like me!:shock: i want to breed leopard geckos too. tangerines are my favorite. well here is some advice. For an incubator you should make one instead of buying one:). Here is how to make one(no pics:() so what you need is a cooler(Styrofoam or normal. i think Styrofoam is cheaper but it is up to you:D), water, aqua heater, a brick or something to keep the eggs dry, a Tupperware box big enough to hold all your eggs, moss or coconut mulch or something to keep the eggs moist, a thermometer, and the eggs. What you need to do is put the brick in the cooler and fill the cooler up with water but not enough to submerge the brick:wink:. then you put the aqua heater in the water and set the temperature to the right degree. The next step is to fill the Tupperware box with the moist substrate. Then put the eggs in the box and close the lid. put the box on the brick and then put the thermometer in the cooler and of course close the cooler lid. yay! you made your first incubator:yahoo:. this one is less then 20 dollars. hope you have fun breeding!

(i feel like a teacher:muhaha:)

the funky gecko
Click to expand...

Thank you for the info! I think I'll end up buying that hovabator I read about mentioned on another site, supposedly like $40? I know it's more $ but if I actually get to that point of having eggs from my pricey little guys, I really don't want to kick myself in the bum by messing something up with a homemade bator. :p HOwever, in the future, this is really awesome stuff to know! I used to incubate hundreds of eggs at a time in a very old redwood cabinet style incubator from SEARS And ROEBUCK...that thing was AMAZING! I miss it...I'm sure I could have easily set it up to work for leos too. Alas, I sold it though because I was moving and totally out of the hobby. :( I also did make my own styrofoam one for birds as well and successfully hatched many cute quails, but those guys were like $20 (including shipping) for like a dozen quality eggs.....where as the cuties I want....no way.....maybe that means I have a lack of confidence in my incubator abilities....haha but yeah.....manufactured one for me in the future..:p
 
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nikic613

New member
MistyBleil said:
You will get good advise here from the old pros. Starting a feeding colony first was very, very smart. Good luck with your new hobby. I look forward to getting to "know" you as we both learn more about these Leos
Click to expand...

Hey again, by the way, I see that you sent me a friends request...I've tried several times to make you my 'friend" but it won't go through!? *le shrugs*
 
the funky gecko

the funky gecko

Member
ok that works but don't buy the really expense bators because the more money they are the less the hatch rate is. (if you don't like this comment don't blame me because i heard it on this website) hope that helps:D
 
the funky gecko

the funky gecko

Member
buy your incubator at a reptile expo because the incinerator's there are like 20 dollars. (i mean incubator not incinerator, stupid spell check)
 
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nikic613

New member
the funky gecko said:
ok that works but don't buy the really expense bators because the more money they are the less the hatch rate is. (if you don't like this comment don't blame me because i heard it on this website) hope that helps:D
Click to expand...

Thank you for the info, believe me, I don't do anything half butt-ed...that's why it has taken me so long to get this first guy...and it will more than likely be months before I get another one to add to my collection. Breeding for me, is a while away still.
 
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nikic613

New member
the funky gecko said:
ok that works but don't buy the really expense bators because the more money they are the less the hatch rate is. (if you don't like this comment don't blame me because i heard it on this website) hope that helps:D
Click to expand...

Thank you for the info, believe me, I don't do anything half butt-ed...that's why it has taken me so long to get this first guy...and it will more than likely be months before I get another one to add to my collection. Breeding for me, is a while away still. I have my mealies set up and already have a small beetle colony, and my sub adult dubias in a tote....one thing at a time for me. :)
 
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