Mrguitarphenomenon Posted August 6, 2013 Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 Hi, I am 17 and currently living in Auckland. I am new to reptiles and have never owned one before. Recently I have taken interest in owning a reptile and I would love to own a Leopard Gecko. I'm from America and in any generic pet store you can pretty much buy the Leos for about 30-40-50 dollars from what I remember. Today I went to an Animates store just to ask questions about purchasing one, the manager there told me that they could order me one for around 250-300 dollars directly from the breeder, and also told me that I should buy a few thousand dollars worth of equipment from them ironically. He also told me Bearded Dragons were easier to take care of; therefore I should just buy one of those..?..?.. However I am not prepared to take care of a Bearded Dragon as they seem to be expensive and obviously the needs of each animal varies from species to species. I would love to know if I could import a leo from America? Does NZ have a problem with that? Would it be cheaper? I know all about what they need in their habitat, (hides, warm area, cold area, no sand, mealworms etc) I was even going to breed the Mealworms as to save time and money, however the manager at the Animates store totally shot me down with how much it apparantly is to obtain one of these Leopard Geckos. I'm fully prepared to spend money, but not a few grand for one. I'm disappointed with how hard it is to obtain information on these Leos. Once again I'm new so I would really appreciate it if someone could spare some information and help someone who is new to the hobby and is interested in HOPEFULLY becoming a part of the reptile community. Thank You ~Brice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted August 6, 2013 Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 hi,there are members on here who breed them care sheet here viewtopic.php?f=40&t=42518 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reptilez Posted August 6, 2013 Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 Welcome. I got mine for $150 from a breeder on here. Just look around and you will find a cheaper one than $300 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocada Posted August 6, 2013 Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 A few thousand dollars worth of equipment? i'd say you could get away with a heat pad for $40, old aquarium on trade me $30, and some calcium/vitamins for $20 :-? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reptilez Posted August 6, 2013 Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 A few thousand dollars worth of equipment? i'd say you could get away with a heat pad for $40, old aquarium on trade me $30, and some calcium/vitamins for $20 :-? :iag: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reuben.a Posted August 6, 2013 Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 i really don't mean to be rude but don't deal with animates for reptiles/reptile products. you can get leos for as cheap as $150 now and you often find old fish tanks with cracked bottoms that people just give away. you can even buy the exact products that animates sell for half the price brand new from other places. i don't mean to be so anti-animates lol but i think it is totally unfair how they take advantage of their more novice customers :-? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snookie Posted August 6, 2013 Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 If it was easy to import Leos from the U.S or any where else , there would be more colour morphs around , Sadly not that easy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonz1833 Posted August 6, 2013 Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 im one of those breeders lol i have true hi yellows not like alot of ppl out there and i dont use heat mates just a tank a ceramic heat emitter iand thermostat is all you need for heating Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrguitarphenomenon Posted August 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 Yeah I think I'm going to stay away from Animates for a while. Can anyone refer any good reliable trustworthy breeders? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reptilez Posted August 6, 2013 Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 Yeah I think I'm going to stay away from Animates for a while. Can anyone refer any good reliable trustworthy breeders? I got mine from Dragonz and she is so cute! I recommend him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted August 6, 2013 Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 I breed them as well as bearded dragons but will not have either available until around xmas. Leps are easier than dragons as they need less space and don't need UV lights. Both do well on live insects and need more variety than just mealworms. Suggest you start breeding locusts and or crickets if you are serious about becoming an owner---buying food can get expensive and some people feed only mealworms because they are cheaper and easier to breed but in my view a variety of live food is best. They come up periodically on trademe but not so much at this time of year. If you are half handy you can build a reptile enclosure yourself for a lot less than buying from animates. An even cheaper option would be to look at getting a permit to keep NZ native geckos---they require even less space and no heating. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reptilenutt Posted August 6, 2013 Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 My started breeding early... The first picture .. they were born on the 14/ july /2013 And the second picture were born this morning ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocada Posted August 6, 2013 Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 I breed them as well as bearded dragons but will not have either available until around xmas. Leps are easier than dragons as they need less space and don't need UV lights. Both do well on live insects and need more variety than just mealworms. Suggest you start breeding locusts and or crickets if you are serious about becoming an owner---buying food can get expensive and some people feed only mealworms because they are cheaper and easier to breed but in my view a variety of live food is best. They come up periodically on trademe but not so much at this time of year. If you are half handy you can build a reptile enclosure yourself for a lot less than buying from animates. An even cheaper option would be to look at getting a permit to keep NZ native geckos---they require even less space and no heating. Good luck. I agree with the native geckos part, plus when you get the permit the geckos are FREE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reptilez Posted August 6, 2013 Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 But the permit and the enclosure would still cost just as much as a Leo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reuben.a Posted August 6, 2013 Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 But the permit and the enclosure would still cost just as much as a Leo :iag: a good native cage will set you back a good few hundred. plus permits are now $110 plus gst. natives are nice but if you are starting out a leo is the better option. cheap, easy and hassle free :thup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted August 6, 2013 Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 It depends what you want. Beardies bask so you will see more of them during the day. Leps are active dawn and dusk and spend most of the time in a hide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FACEAnthrax Posted August 6, 2013 Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 I also agree that getting a leo is a much better starter reptile than a bearded dragon. They require a lot less equipment and are much much easier to feed. While Alan is right in saying that leos don't come out much during daylight hours, so you may not see it wandering around too much naturally, it doesn't stop you from handling it thought . I got my Leo from Alan and she's doing wonderfully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrguitarphenomenon Posted August 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 The Leo being nocturnal is not a problem. My main reason for buying a Leo was that they seem the be fairly easy to take care of if you know the specifics. I've contacted a few breeders you guys have recommended, hopefully everything works out! If any of you feel like you could give me some advice or even contact me about a possible breeder to buy from then just PM me on here. Or contact me via email, [email protected]. Thanks so much for all the info! You guys helped much more than Animates did! :facepalm: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Posted August 7, 2013 Report Share Posted August 7, 2013 Leopards are the go, easy to care for relatively easy to hand tame, enclosure only needs to be a standard 24"x12" foot print and can be decorated to your liking, faeces is left in a chosen spot and relatively scent free. No requirement for uv, just a tempered spot. Given you will become an addict there are some nice new varieties popping up for the future collection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
repto Posted August 7, 2013 Report Share Posted August 7, 2013 I found them totally boring,mind you I do prefer to leave things to their own devices other than feeding etc.Not one to handle things alot.The leopard i had was more intent on taking my finger or bits of it off?I had it for 6 months or so and never ever saw it eat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted August 7, 2013 Report Share Posted August 7, 2013 I have never had a lep try to bite me but I have had them head butt my hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonz1833 Posted August 7, 2013 Report Share Posted August 7, 2013 yeah out of my 100 odd breeders i have never been biten Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrguitarphenomenon Posted August 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2013 Are males considered more agressive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted August 7, 2013 Report Share Posted August 7, 2013 Are males considered more agressive? Only when they are drinking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Posted August 8, 2013 Report Share Posted August 8, 2013 Towards other gecko's yes, but even females can be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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