Leopard Geckos

Post Reply New Topic

Is anyone out there really interested in reptiles, leopard geckos specifically?

I have 2 leopard geckos, Oatmeal and Potato.

They were PetsMart purchases (ew, I know), so I can only make guesses as to what morphs they are. My best guess, and a safe one at that, is that Oatmeal is a Normal/Wild Type. Potato is a little harder to identify. As of right now, I speculate that he may be a Patternless Mack Snow.

I've seen leopard geckos before....they're cute. I also like bearded dragons and axolotls - although I guess axolotls aren't exactly reptiles.

Yes, Bearded Dragons are really cool. I definitely am interested in getting one someday. I'd name it Patrick.

Axolotls are really cool, too. Unfortunately, they are endangered. I only like the albino morphs. The mottled brown ones aren't as aesthetically pleasing. I think what makes them look so cute, in many people's opinion, is their rare trait of keeping their larval features into adulthood (neoteny is the name of this condition).

I've never had the desire to keep amphibians. Lately, I've been wondering if keeping a Praying Mantis would be realistic for me.

I have one!

Her name is Daisy, and she's about 16,5 years old now. She was 5 years old when I got her.

I've always been interested in reptiles, but snakes (especially pythons) are more my thing. But because leopard gecko was the very first pet I ever had I'm always gonna have a special kind of attraction towards them. Not geckos in general, but leopard geckos. Even though there other really cool geckos around too, like Uroplatus phantasticus, the Satanic Leaf Tailed Gecko:

I was reading a book recently that had things about that type of gecko in it and it's just a wild looking gecko. So awesome. I'm really interested in Chameleons right now. Snakes were definitely an object of my interest as a child, though my Granma hated them so much because they creeped her out. LOL. I think it's interested to learn about the different morphs they are discovering/breeding.

I've got an old one named Dottie,she's about nine years old now.I've never had a bit of trouble with her.She's friendly and will come to my hand when she wants out of her tank.I also have a Tokay,it's been barking and that is suppose to be good luck.She will let me pet her but she sticks to the side of the tank and doesn't want to be picked up.When I first got her,she would really bite,and I mean bite.There's also a Iguana,toad,frog and ball python.The majority of them are rescues.I had a rough skinned newt for years till he died,I loved him,he would eat out of my hand.I'd like to have a pair of them.

I've always heard that Tokay geckos can be little as*holes. Someone I know had one and he said it was evil. But then again, I've seen online where people have Tokay geckos who are as tame and docile as leopard geckos. Chances are, if I got one, it'd be a little butthead who'd hate me. LOL.

I like looking at Iguanas, but I don't think I'd really like to own one. I'd like a turtle, I think.

When I first got my Tokay I put on a leather glove before I tried to touch her,she bit onto it and wouldn't turn loose,I had to pull my hand out of the glove and leave it in the tank.She made the angry bark right before she clamped on.The previous owners didn't want her because she bit.People should do research before they purchase any pet.
Iguanas take lots of room and you must have the right lights.Its easy to feed mine out of the garden.The commercial food isn't that great.I had a small 10x10 bedroom that I fixed up for mine.It just seems wrong to have a lizard that big in a tank.I don't think they should be sold as cheap as they are,it makes them a disposable pet to most people.I doubt half of them make it to adult hood.The males can also become aggressive during the mating season,some don't realize this and become frightened of their Iguana.
If anyone ever wanted an iguana there are always plenty to adopt.I just cringe when I see the little ones at the pet store.
I was looking at a pet adoption site and they had several turtles up for adoption.I think it was petfinder.There was a free Russian Tortiose in the paper once,someone called before I did.So of you ever decide you want a turtle,there are plenty that need good homes.I'd love to build an outdoor enclosure for one.

Here is a picture of Oatmeal:





Here is a picture of Potato:








I cleaned Potato's tank today, so he is pretty pissed off at me now. I take extra care to clean it as quickly as possible, but he still hates being out of it. Oh well. Oatmeal is going to have his tank cleaned next.

Misslizard, I think I'm too scared to get a Tokay. Quick, sudden movement, especially in animals, is really startling and I'm afraid I'd hurt the gecko in some way, accidentally of course. My geckos aren't really bad about quick, sudden movement (eh, Potato is still flighty, but I leave him be). I definitely don't have the room for Iguanas I'd probably be scared to death when it got the least bit aggressive.

I'm thinking about getting another small animal to care for. Money is a big issue, so it'd have to be very cheap. I considered a Praying Mantis, but they only live about 6 months. I'm just not able to handle having a tarantula yet. I love reading about spiders and looking at pictures, but I'm still a bit squeamish to own one. I'm going to have to do some exploring on really cheap options. I've really loved having Oatmeal and Potato. Having something to look after has been good for me. It's also helped calm my suicidal thoughts. I can't leave them behind because they wouldn't be properly cared for. That's been a huge thing for me.

Nice looking geckos!Oatmeal looks like my Dottie.
Tokays can move really fast,the iguanas can move faster than people think,so they are not for everyone.Both can deliver a powerful bite,and a large male iguana that's pissed can do some real damage.That's one reason I feel so bad for the baby ones,they are so cute but people don't think about them reaching nearly six feet,the animal acts out according to its nature,and then they abandon it.And they are smart enough to know when they intimidate someone,I've heard of a couple that terrorized their owners by popping them with their tail.Its like a whip.it will raise a big whelp.
My lizards have pulled me through some tough times,they are wonderful little creatures to care for.Its not hard to raise your own crickets.Just set up a tank,add sand or pine shavings,or sterile potting soil,keep one area moist for the eggs.I feed my crickets dog food or fish food and use orange slices for water.I put toilet paper tubes or cardboard egg cartons for hiding areas and a screen top.Then you get the enjoyment of hearing the crickets chirp.If you like that,some people don't.I don't feed the biggest ones,I let them lay eggs.
There are some amphibians that are easy to care for and inexpensive.The main thing is it's not safe to use city water and be meticulous about having clean,chemical free hands when handling them.I have a well, so I've never had trouble with water quality or chemicals.They don't need special lights either.The dwarf clawed frogs are easy to care for and you don't need a big tank.I've found adding water plants helps keep the water fresher,you may need a light for this but just a regular fluorescent will do.Betta fish are also nice pets and if they are in good water can live a long time,they really do need to be in a warm room.

Always thought lizards were cool but knowing my cat I would be afraid of him eating them

Always thought lizards were cool but knowing my cat I would be afraid of him eating them

there is a chinese water dragon at the pet store that always comes up to see me.