Buying a leopard gecko like Speedy

Leopard geckos are one of the most popular lizards for a pet. And are probably the first domesticated lizard species.

Leopard Gecko’s Are Easy Pets

So far, you have probably already learned that they are a beginner lizard. Because they are a smaller lizard in size, they are pretty sturdy, and quite easy to care for too. Meaning that they are not as hard to take care of as chameleons, skinks, tegus, and agamids.

However you should be aware of a number of things when you are buying your first leopard gecko. They are offered at a lot of pet places like Petco and Petsmart. And I really don’t like buying a leopard gecko from Petsmart or Petco because there are much better options out there. Since these lizards live up to 20 years you’re going to need to choose one carefully. You’re going to have a little buddy that will be with you for many years to come. So down below I will discuss some of the best places for finding your first leopard gecko.

First, Let’s Talk About Petsmart & Petco

Petco & Petsmart

These are two of the biggest companies that sell everything from dogs, kittens, fish, birds, and yes you guessed it, lizards too.

The only drawback is these stores don’t have very high end morphs of leopard geckos. They typically don’t have the best colors, and often the workers don’t know very much about reptiles. Because they don’t specialise in them – they know just a little bit about lots of animals insead.

In fact, here’s a true story. At Petsmart they actually tried selling me a UVB light for a leopard gecko. These reptiles don’t require one! Not to mention they will try to sell you dried mealworms, grasshoppers, crickets etc. Which don’t actually move (because they’re already dead!). Since these bugs are not actually moving your leopard gecko will not want to eat them. I have already made this mistake before, and wanted to warn anyone that is considering a leopard gecko to NOT buy dried food. It’s cheaper but it won’t save you money because it will be a waste instead when your leo just ignores the dried up dead things.

I often wonder about the well-being of the reptiles at these two companies too. Because leos are nocturnal and kids want to see them, they will bang on the glass and disrupt the geckos sleeping cycle. Pretty stressful for the poor geckos day after day.

So it just all seems to be hit or miss with reptiles at Petsmart and Petco. A better option would be a local specialist reptile shop in your area – even if it means travelling a bit further away. They are better options because they deal with reptiles exclusively and know how to properly care for them.

Specalist Leopard Gecko Breeders

Breeders are better option for purchasing leopard geckos. Why? Because they have a passion for the animals and don’t just do it to make money (well most of them – there’s always some bad ones). They actually care for the reptiles properly. It’s their business and they have built a business out of doing something they love. Typically a breeder will know a lot about geckos, and have years of experience taking care of them. A lot of times they come with paperwork so you know about the morph you own and even a hatch date. With leopard geckos from the store, you usually don’t even know how old they are or where they came from.

You can find some of the best leopard gecko breeders here.

Checklist for Buying a Leopard Gecko

  • Leopard geckos sleep during the day. So if they’re sleeping when you go to pick them up in their tank, and they don’t act alarmed when you stick your hand in there they could be sick. They should be timid and untrusting to new people trying to pick them up.
  • A leopard gecko’s tail tells you a lot about the gecko. They should have a fatter tail compared to their body. They store food in their tail as fat reserves. They do this in case they can’t eat for a couple weeks at a time. It makes them more resilient in the wild.
  • They shouldn’t be super skinny and look like they are struggling to get around. Don’t buy one out of guilt because you’ll just end up with a dead gecko a month on down the road. They should be fat or have some meat on their bodies.
  • Their skin says a lot about the gecko. If they have scratches, burns or sores on their body then there is a good chance they are pretty unhealthy and haven’t been looked after properly.
  • They shouldn’t have anything coming out of their mouth or nose. Leopard gecko’s eyes should be clear.
  • Their living environment should be clean. There shouldn’t be weeks and weeks worth of poop in the cage. The poop should be blackish brown with a little white (which is calcium). Don’t buy a leopard gecko if see their poop is read because that means blood which isn’t good.
  • Your gecko should be stronger than you think. They shouldn’t be struggling to climb or move around their tank – their legs should look strong and not bendy.
  • If they’re shedding it’s a good sign. This means they are eating properly and growing well.

Common Questions When Buying a Leopard Gecko

Why should I avoid buying a leopard gecko from large pet stores like Petco and Petsmart?

Large pet stores may not provide the best care for the geckos. The staff may not have specialized knowledge about reptiles, and the geckos may not be in the best health or condition.

Where should I buy a leopard gecko from?

It’s recommended to buy from specialist reptile shops or breeders. These sources are more likely to have a passion for the animals and extensive knowledge about their care.

What should I look for in a healthy leopard gecko?

A healthy leopard gecko should be alert and not overly skinny. Its tail should be fat, as they store food in their tail as fat reserves. The skin should be free of scratches, burns, or sores. The gecko’s eyes should be clear, and there should be nothing coming out of its mouth or nose.

What does a leopard gecko’s living environment tell me about its health?

The living environment should be clean, without weeks’ worth of poop in the cage. If the poop is red, this could indicate blood, which is a bad sign. The gecko should also be able to move around its tank easily, with strong, not bendy, legs.

How long do leopard geckos live?

Leopard geckos can live up to 20 years, so choosing a healthy one is important as it will be a long-term commitment.

What should I feed my leopard gecko?

Avoid feeding your leopard gecko dried food, as they prefer live prey. Dried mealworms, grasshoppers, and crickets may be ignored by your gecko as they do not move.

How can I tell if a leopard gecko breeder is reputable?

A reputable breeder will have extensive knowledge about geckos and years of experience caring for them. They should be able to provide information about the gecko’s morph and hatch date, which is often not available when buying from a store.

Are leopard geckos good pets for beginners?

Yes, leopard geckos are considered a good beginner lizard due to their smaller size and relatively easy care requirements compared to other reptiles like chameleons, skinks, tegus, and agamids.