You may have been attracted to geckos due to their cute appearance and cool demeanor but are unsure about the right species to keep. This is understandable considering that there are over 1,500 species of geckos in the wild though only a few species are available in captivity. Most people make the mistake of buying the species they find at a pet store instead of carefully researching about different species and determining the type the best suits their lifestyle. It is essential to choose a species that fits your home environment and time commitment for pet care.
Free Time to Devote to The Lizard
When selecting a gecko, you need to pick a species that you will be able to provide with adequate care. Most species have relatively similar basic requirements such as sufficient humidity and temperature, good lighting, and a quality diet with sufficient nutrients. However, some species are more delicate than others. For example, a leopard gecko is easier to look after than a blue-tailed day gecko. Indeed, some species are very delicate and may die even under the care of experienced herpetologists. Typically, tropical species require high humidity, meaning that you have to mist their terrarium more frequently than desert species. Similarly, the Phelsuma day and the electric blue geckos are difficult to keep while the gold dust and the giant day gecko are easier to keep.
Budget
While money may not be the first thought in your mind when you decide to buy a gecko, it is an important factor because you have set a budget for the pet. Most gecko species are inexpensive, but there are some exotic species with rare colors that command premium prices. Most common species will go for between $30 and $100. A wild type leopard gecko will go for around $35, a common day gecko goes for about $75 while an eyelash crestie will set you back $60. Some color morphs of the eyelash crestie will cost hundreds of dollars, especially if are a new subtype that is hard to find. Meanwhile, exotic varieties of the common day gecko can go for $150 or more. Typically, adult geckos cost more than juveniles, especially if you are buying an unrelated, sexed pair.
Apart from the buying price, you also need to budget for the structures that will house the gecko, including the terrarium, UV bulbs, and heating bulbs, all of which have the potential to cost more than the reptile. Some species may also increase your electricity bills substantially due to the need to lights on for 12 hours and heating during the cold months. Most of the other requirements, such as stick sand for burrowing and hide boxes are easy to find and won't cost much.
When budgeting for the structure, always remember that larger geckos such as the tokay and giant day gecko require large terrariums with powerful bulbs that consume more power. Leopard and crested geckos do not require UVB lighting, unlike most other species. They are nocturnal, so they won't need synthetic sunlight. In contrast, day geckos and electric blue geckos require more lighting and heating because they are diurnal.
If you want to be a breeder, you need to budget for the extra costs of looking after the eggs and the hatchlings. Geckos can live in groups, but you can only keep one male in a tank to prevent fighting. This implies that you will have to add more structures as the hatchlings mature, leading to more costs.
If You've Had Pet Geckos Before
If you have not kept geckos in the past, you need a species that is easy to handle, such as a leopard gecko. Most experts recommend leopard, otherwise known as Leos, for beginners. Leopard geckos are especially suited to beginners because they are terrestrial. Leos are a hardy desert species that require low humidity and can live in simple structures. Crested geckos are a good alternative if you cannot find a Leo.
African-fat-tailed geckos are another option for inexperienced keepers because they have similar characteristics to Leos. They are also very docile and friendly. However, their popularity with herpetologists makes them hard to find and rather expensive. Other hardy species include the tokay and the flying gecko.
However, if you are an experienced herpetologist, you can try tricky species such as the Phelsuma day geckos, including P. Gimbui or P. Cepediana. Another delicate species is the electric blue gecko L. Williamsii, which is hard to breed because of its tiny babies. Similarly, the tokay gecko is very aggressive and can bite if you do not handle it appropriately. The more difficult species require the terrarium to be set up correctly with the right temperature and humidity.
Availability
When buying geckos, you may have to choose between wild and captive reptiles. Wild-caught geckos are cheaper than captive-born geckos but come with numerous challenges that make expert keepers avoid them. They may have pests, diseases, and injuries that may increase care costs in the long-term. Such geckos may not be healthy and might be stressed by mishandling and transportation in unacceptable conditions. Further, trading in wild reptiles devastates their population in the natural habitat and is illegal in many countries. This could put you in trouble with the authorities.
If you really want an ordinary gecko such as a leo or a crestie, you shouldn't have problems finding one because they are plentiful in the pet market. But if you insist on a rare species or morph, you might have trouble finding one in your area. Gecko morphs are lizards that are selectively bred to create unique colors and skin patterns that don't exist in the wild. Some of the popular leopard morphs include the super snow, which has black and white stripes, the carrot-tail gecko with a striking orange tail, and the red stripe type with two red stripes running the full length of their body.
For best results, always buy your geckos from hobbyists and breeders instead of pet shops because such experts provide specialized care to the reptiles. Exotic geckos are hard to find, but one way of finding a rare species is going to a reptile show.
Dietary and Maintenance Requirements
Some gecko species have more demanding nutritional requirements than others. Popular species such as leopard geckos are carnivorous reptiles that require a regular supply of live insects such as mealworms, crickets, and roaches. You have to ensure the crickets are alive because most species will not touch insects that are not moving. Providing live crickets and roaches gives the geckos an opportunity to utilize their natural hunting instinct.
Some species are omnivorous and will lick flower nectar and catch insects in the terrarium. However, even such species will need a regular supply of roaches or crickets if they are to maintain a healthy weight. If you don't have a supply of live crickets or roaches, you can try crested geckos because they do need live food and can eat commercial feed and fruits. If you are averse to keeping huge numbers of roaches and live crickets in your home, the crested gecko may be the ideal species.
Geckos are ectotherms whose body temperature depends on the environment. It is important to provide them with the appropriate heat supply to ensure robust metabolism and immune function. Each gecko should have a 10 to 20 gallons tank heated with a heat bulb to maintain a temperature of 90°F on the warm side and 70°F on the cool side. Even though most geckos are nocturnal, they need exposure to a little UV light to produce vitamin D in their skin. Common species such as the leopard gecko require adequate humidity of around 50% to help them remain hydrated and shed skin. Provide more sensitive species such as the blue-tailed day gecko with humidity by misting the tank or soaking them in a shallow bowl containing warm water.
If You Have Children
Like most reptiles, geckos are guarded animals that require gentle handling. They are not animals that children can cuddle and play around with, like cats and dogs. Therefore, if you have children, you might want to get a gecko that tolerates cuddling. Leopard and crested geckos are suited to pet owners with children because they allow gentle handling and will lie patiently on the palm of your hand as long as you do not offend or scare them. They are docile reptiles that rarely bite, even with aggressive play.
However, if you don't have children, you can try more reserved species that you can leave in the terraria and observe from a distance. Day geckos such as the electric blue L. Williamsii are suited to such owners as they do not like being handled or disturbed while resting. Their scales are very fragile and are easily injured by rough handling. They also become agitated very quickly, and any attempt to catch them provokes a jumping, climbing, and running frenzy. Such delicate creatures may not be suited to children because they will drop their tails in defense when mishandled. They can learn to trust people, but that takes a lot of training and patience.
Verge Pets provides veterinarian-approved automatic reptile feeders so that pet lovers can have peace of mind while they are away. Our feeders work with various types of reptiles to ensure safety and effective feeding. Contact us to discuss your pet feeding needs.
