Leo info please for propsective owner

[stylo]

Hi everyone, I've taken a read through many posts and read a care sheet so hopefully am getting the basics - thanks for all the info that's on here.

My daughter (age 9) likes the idea of getting a couple of leopard geckos - I think we need a pet that fits into the following criteria:

* OK to be handled - say once a day for 10 mins.
* Space - we're thinking of a viv that is about 2ft x 2ft x 1.5ft high.
* Easy to look after - providing we get the right gear for the viv.

Does that make sense so far?

So now some more questions:

We're thinking of getting 2 females - should we get them both at the same time so they get used to each other without one thinking it's her viv?

If we go away for a week, can we provide sufficient food and let them fend for themselves - is this cruel will they eat all the food at once - should we always find a carer?

Do you need to wash/clean the geckos or do they do this themselves?

Any reputable breaders/shops in the Surrey area that anyone can recommend?

Any alternative breeds that might be more suitable for a child to look after (with supervision)?


Many thanks + I'm sure we'll be back with some more questions before we take the leap into this.

Adam

[andy007]

Hi &

You could certainly have 2 leo's in a 2 x 2 viv. 2 young females should get along fine with plenty of hides etc... We have Leo's and they are fairly easy to care for. They would be able to go a week, as long as you plan the feeding before hand, and there are plenty of mealworms in the pot. The only thing is, what happens if their water is spilt or poo'd in early in the week? Or the thermostat could could pack up? Its not likely, but something to consider. We've had a thermostat not cut out.
Not all Leo's like too much handling though, and can be quick to get away.

We also have Crested geckos. In our experience the cresties are easier to handle, and seem to enjoy being handled more so than the Leo's. Compared to Leo's, Cresties require a completely different set up, but are relatively easy to care for. As with Leo's, females can be kept together, but not males. Also, with both geckos, 1 male shouldn't be kept with 1 female.

Neither Gecko needs cleaning/washing

Hope this helps

[Juggernaut]

simple answer to this, dont get leos, i have a leo now and have had them before, they arnt people pets like many people think, they are very cute and fascinating, just not friendly enough,

personally i recommend beardies, keep you entertained for hours, imho easier to keep than leos and much more receptive to being handled, ours will sit with you for hours and love to be stroked

im not saying leos arnt amazing, cos they are, i just think you should get a bearded dragon or 2

[Trice]

Originally Posted by Juggernaut

simple answer to this, dont get leos, i have a leo now and have had them before, they arnt people pets like many people think, they are very cute and fascinating, just not friendly enough,

personally i recommend beardies, keep you entertained for hours, imho easier to keep than leos and much more receptive to being handled, ours will sit with you for hours and love to be stroked

im not saying leos arnt amazing, cos they are, i just think you should get a bearded dragon or 2

you fail to mention the space beardies require. They specified they were looking for space wise around 2x2x1.5 was it? thats what.. half the width for a beardie required viv?

[Trice]

Originally Posted by stylo

Hi everyone, I've taken a read through many posts and read a care sheet so hopefully am getting the basics - thanks for all the info that's on here.

My daughter (age 9) likes the idea of getting a couple of leopard geckos - I think we need a pet that fits into the following criteria:

* OK to be handled - say once a day for 10 mins.
* Space - we're thinking of a viv that is about 2ft x 2ft x 1.5ft high.
* Easy to look after - providing we get the right gear for the viv.

Does that make sense so far?

So now some more questions:

We're thinking of getting 2 females - should we get them both at the same time so they get used to each other without one thinking it's her viv?

If we go away for a week, can we provide sufficient food and let them fend for themselves - is this cruel will they eat all the food at once - should we always find a carer?

Do you need to wash/clean the geckos or do they do this themselves?

Any reputable breaders/shops in the Surrey area that anyone can recommend?

Any alternative breeds that might be more suitable for a child to look after (with supervision)?


Many thanks + I'm sure we'll be back with some more questions before we take the leap into this.

Adam

The problem with leos is that they're nocturnal. They prefer to be asleep during the day. If your daughter is looking for an animal to handle and see during the eveningish time, then sure, leos would be perfect! Leos are clean, they even eat their own shed (So long as they shed fine, i have one who i sometimes have to give a hand to get the shed off)

[linda60]

Yes 2 female leos would be fine in a viv that size and in my opinion handled regularly they are people freindly,I have even had a rescue 1 that had not been handled for over a year thats fine to be handled now,I also have cresties and don't think they are as good a pet for a child,both are nocturnal but my leos come for a while in the day and move around earlier in the evenings.As for leaving them for a week without care this should not be done no matter pet you have,it is not just a matter of feeding there are so many other things that can go wrong and it is irrsponsable,I carer would not have to do much just check everthing is ok water and feed and clean,you do not want a weeks poo when you return,the only problem with that is some people might not like live food but you could just use mealworms,with a small viv you could take it to someones house so they would not have to go to your house everyday,and of course lots of reptile shops offer boarding,but check them out first.Good luck with your new pet.

[stylo]

Great - thanks for all the replies, much appreciated. Shame we don't really have space for bearded dragons. I hadn't thought about crested geckos so will look into them now.
Adam

[m4rt1n]

only problem with crested geckos is that they are dearer and harder to get hold of.

there are loads of leos for sale on this site alone.

i dont keep them myself but what about anoles as there only small and they are a really nice looking lizard.

maybe someone a bit more in the know can reply now with some more info on them.

i would recommend leos all day tho as they are ideal for anyone really.

hope i helped a bit lol

[mr_sir]

Originally Posted by Juggernaut

simple answer to this, dont get leos, i have a leo now and have had them before, they arnt people pets like many people think, they are very cute and fascinating, just not friendly enough,

My Leos are really friendly, and the baby even comes up to the glass when I look in on her to say hello. The only factor is that they are nocturnal, I'm a night person so Leos are ideal for me, but if you daughter doesn't stay up late she might find that a lot of the time they are actually asleep when she is awake.

[Michelle G]

I found that when my leo was little he slept loads especially through the day i rarely saw him and he would wander around at night but not for long (while I was awake anyhow)....he was also very skittish to handle as they are so small and quick and scared of us big people.

However , now he is about 1 he is out of his hide more than in...he will sleep outside his hide and when I return from work at about 5 he comes to see me and stays out most of the evening watching me watch tv and move around. He has also calmed loads with handling and will now ask to come out and if I open the doors he walks up my arm and sits on my shoulder.

Leos are great pets but they can take time and patience...my boyfriend lost patience with ours a long time ago because he couldnt handle him but I persisted and now he is great and ALL MINE!

You may find that someone is selling on here 2 females that have all the set up they need and are already tamed....they might not be babies but might be better for your daughter!