Choosing a Pet Gecko
January 13th 2009 17:33
When you are looking at purchasing a pet gecko, you want to make sure that you pick out a gecko that is healthy. The last thing that you want to do is pick a gecko to find out that it is sick, which at that point you may or may not be able to return or exchange. And, even if you do, who's to say that the other geckos that may have been housed with yours isn't sick as well.
Well, there are many signs to look for when trying to avoid the sick geckos and picking a healthy one. You just want to be very selective. If you have to, don't rush into picking a gecko. Go to a different pet store, or even wait it out longer so that you know that you've positively made the right choice.
By getting a pet gecko because you think that you're saving it and rescuing it from the pet store's typically inaccurate housing, you're really causing yourself more money and heartache for having to bring the gecko back to health. So, although you may be thinking that you're doing the right thing, you really should carefully think out your decision before picking a pet gecko.
First off, make sure to consider the gecko of your choice, making sure that it matches your experience level. For instance, leopard geckos, crested geckos, and African fat tail geckos are great beginner reptiles, and most pet stores sell them. (But again, I really prefer purchasing from a breeder, as 1) you'll have a larger selection, 2) it's typically going to be much cheaper for the quality that you're getting, and 3) they're generally much healthier.)
Generally, healthy geckos will be alert, plump, and active (of course active once you've disturbed them from sleep, as most are nocturnal).
You want to avoid geckos that are thin, have dried skin left from a previous shed, and seem lame when the hides are removed.
Also, you want to check for any poo, as you want to make sure that it doesn't look liquidy, or dried liquidy. You want to make sure that it appears solid and free of debris.
Well, there are many signs to look for when trying to avoid the sick geckos and picking a healthy one. You just want to be very selective. If you have to, don't rush into picking a gecko. Go to a different pet store, or even wait it out longer so that you know that you've positively made the right choice.
By getting a pet gecko because you think that you're saving it and rescuing it from the pet store's typically inaccurate housing, you're really causing yourself more money and heartache for having to bring the gecko back to health. So, although you may be thinking that you're doing the right thing, you really should carefully think out your decision before picking a pet gecko.
First off, make sure to consider the gecko of your choice, making sure that it matches your experience level. For instance, leopard geckos, crested geckos, and African fat tail geckos are great beginner reptiles, and most pet stores sell them. (But again, I really prefer purchasing from a breeder, as 1) you'll have a larger selection, 2) it's typically going to be much cheaper for the quality that you're getting, and 3) they're generally much healthier.)
Generally, healthy geckos will be alert, plump, and active (of course active once you've disturbed them from sleep, as most are nocturnal).
You want to avoid geckos that are thin, have dried skin left from a previous shed, and seem lame when the hides are removed.
Also, you want to check for any poo, as you want to make sure that it doesn't look liquidy, or dried liquidy. You want to make sure that it appears solid and free of debris.
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