Gecko All-Stars: A Top Five List of Popular Pet Geckos

Growing up on a Michigan farm, I was always capturing critters and bringing them home to keep as pets. Early on, I gained a quick appreciation for reptiles. Not only were they like miniature dinosaurs (a definite draw with just about any kid), but they were also fairly low-maintenance and inexpensive to keep. Let's face it - you don't often get a tortoise winding around your legs and begging to be stroked, and when is the last time a snake came up and begged you to throw a ball? If properly housed and correctly cared for, most reptiles are content to just chill out and do what they do best - be reptiles.

As an adult, I went on to take over managing a small pet store and I was introduced to a wide array of reptiles that I'd never seen in the Michigan wilderness. It was the gecko that quickly caught my attention and I endeavored to learn all that I could about these fascinating little reptiles. While I'd always found the little guy in the insurance commercials cute, I discovered that the real gecko is even more intriguing and highly personable than his animated counterpart. It wasn't long before I recommending them as ideal pets for teenagers, college students and people who wanted an interesting pet that didn't require a huge set-up fee or a heavy time investment.

Before You Buy a Gecko

Before you purchase any pet, it's highly recommended that you take the time to research them, as well as taking the time to look at yourself, your current living conditions (and future ones, as geckos often live 10-15 years), as well as taking into consideration the other people who may be affected by your bringing a new pet into the home. While it's true, not everyone is a gecko fan, there are also serious reasons why you have to consider other people as well. For instance, as with many reptiles, you should not own a gecko if you live in a house with a child under five years of age. Many reptiles can carry salmonella, which can be deadly to small children. For this same reason, it's also a good idea to avoid reptiles if someone in your home has a compromised immune system.

One must also consider their living conditions; if they are frequently absent for days at a time, conditions may not be favorable to get a pet right now. It's also important to look to the future - If you will be going to college next year, you might want to hold off on getting a pet until things are more settled and you know that your daily routine will allow you to devote the time needed to care for a pet. Chances are, your mother doesn't want to baby-sit a gecko for the next four years! Be sure to take the time to think about this carefully - No pet should be an impulse buy. Always be sure to consider the whole picture before adopting any pet.

If the above conditions are favorable for you to get a pet gecko, you'll also want to take time to research them thoroughly. Take the time to learn about the different varieties of gecko, their natural habitats, and the kind of foods that they like to eat. You might be surprised to learn the different geckos require different cage setups and prefer different foods. You'll also find that different geckos tend to have different personalities as well - Some are better suited for holding, while others are best enjoyed inside their cage. Additionally, while some varieties of gecko will allow you to keep a male with a couple of females, other geckos are solitary and only meet up when they mate. One important fact to remember, however, is never to keep male geckos together - They will usually fight to the death.

Arboreal vs. Terrestrial Geckos

There are many different kinds of geckos to choose from. Some are more active during the daytime, while others are nocturnal. One of the most important things to research about your preferred kind of gecko is whether or not they are arboreal (tree-dwelling) or a terrestrial (land-dwelling) gecko - This will determine the type of setup you will require for your pet gecko. Terrestrial geckos lack the ability to climb on smooth surfaces like the arboreal geckos and are usually more comfortable in a desert-like environment, filled with lots of ground-based hidey holes. Arboreal geckos, meanwhile, will prefer a taller, vertical setup, complete with lots of vegetation and basking spots.

My Top Five List of Pet Geckos

1. The Leopard Gecko - Considered to be the koi of the reptile world, the Leopard Spotted Gecko is a popular exotic pet. Most commonly, they're either a beige or bright yellow, with dark vivid spots, though some have even been known to come in white or even rainbow hues! One of the more docile and friendly geckos, the leopard gecko can be easily tamed and often enjoys being held or stroked.

The Leopard Spotted Gecko is a terrestrial species and has tiny claws on each of his toes. While they can crawl up sloping branches, they do best in a desert-themed terrarium of at least a 15 gallon size and prefer temperatures of 75-82 degrees Fahrenheit. One important thing to remember with geckos, regardless of whether they are arboreal or terrestrial, neither variety should be housed with sand for bedding. If a gecko goes to take a bite of a cricket (or some are just very curious and have to taste everything), they can get a mouthful of sand, which can cause gut impactions and other troubles. For this reason, geckos should always be housed on a solid or natural bio-degradable bedding. Outdoor carpeting, cut to the size of the cage bottom, is also nice - not only is it a soft cushioned bedding for your reptile friend, it can also be taken out, washed and reused again and again.

2. African Fat-Tailed Gecko - The African Fat-Tailed Gecko (or Fat Tail Gecko as he is sometimes called) is another docile terrestrial member of the gecko family. Known for their fat, almost bulbous tail, they use this to store extra nutrients when out in the desert. Additionally, when the Fat-Tail Gecko loses his tail, the new one usually grows in shorter and more stubby looking, resembling the gecko's head. This is believed to be a clever form of misdirection - coaxing the predator to attack the gecko's tail, so that he can drop it and get away to safety.

African Fat Tail Geckos are usually a dark, rich mahogany brown, often with black bands and spots, as well as lighter patches near their undersides. Like the Leopard Gecko, they usually have a very large dark-colored eye that has a very gentle, soft look about them. These are generally very friendly geckos and enjoy being held for short periods of time, once they have been properly tamed.

3. The Crested Gecko - Another interesting-looking gecko would be the Crested, or Eyelash Gecko. Named for the unusual crest that covers the geckos' eyes and then converges to run the length of the spine, the Crested Gecko has a very ancient and mysterious look to him. Perhaps not as brightly-colored as some of his more popular cousins, he is still a unique favorite amongst reptile fanciers, young and old. The more bland grey and tan Crested Geckos are the most common, though some captive breeders have been developing others with such exotic names as the Yellow Fire or Tiger, the Tiger Dalmatian, or even Harlequins!

Crested Geckos are arboreal lizards, meaning that they like to spend the majority of their time living in trees. Their habitat should reflect this, being more tall than long and providing the geckos with lots of vegetation to hide within. Preferring temperatures of 72-80 degrees Fahrenheit, these geckos do not tolerate the heat very well and can be severely stressed if they're subjected to temperatures of more than 85 degrees. While generally friendly and pretty easy to handle, one must be extra careful with the Crested Gecko - Unlike many other geckos, this variety cannot grow a new tail if the old one is lost. Treat your Crested Gecko with a great deal of care or be prepared to hear a plethora of "Stumpy" or "Stubby" jokes.

4. Gargoyle Geckos - If you like the unusual appearance of the Crested Gecko, but prefer a lizard that is a little more robust and hearty, the Gargoyle Gecko may be just the lizard you're looking for. A little more stout than their Crested cousins, the Gargoyle is a slightly larger, semi-arboreal variety of pet gecko. Not as adept at climbing smooth surfaces, these medium to large geckos do require a mixture of bark-covered limbs and lots of room to run and move around. They like to stay busy and seem to be very curious individuals.

Gargoyle Geckos can re-grow their tails, unlike the Crested, who is doomed to be the butt of jokes if he loses his. The main downfalls of these beautiful individuals is that they should not be allowed to get wet and remain so for an extended period of time (though misting is okay) and that they can often be picky eaters and refuse to eat insects. Fortunately, there are many varieties of gecko foods on the market and some can even be coaxed to eat small amounts of baby food.

5. The Tokay Gecko - Often referred to as the "pit-bull of the gecko world," the Tokay gecko is known for his striking appearance, his vocalizations, and for his foul attitude. A beautiful bright blue with vivid yellow-to-orange spots, he has an otherworldly appearance and is truly captivating to behold. Equally impressive is his sheer size - Tokay geckos commonly reach 12-14 inches in length as mature adults. This, combined with a unique crocodilian-like "bark" and his loud mating call (which sounds like "Toh-kay," hence his name), make this large arboreal gecko a favorite amongst reptile enthusiasts.

There is a downfall to being enraptured by the Tokay's unique characteristics, though, and that is that the Tokay is generally a lizard that you enjoy looking at, but you rarely touch. Notoriously aggressive, they will go out of their way to attack invading geckos and other intruders that venture into their territory - including humans. What damage can a little lizard do? Remember how large these blue beauties get to be, then realize that they commonly will chomp down and hold onto whatever they've grabbed for up to an hour. Ouch! If you plan on keeping Tokays, be sure to provide them with a large arboreal habitat and don't reach in to try to mess with them very often. Just let them chill out and eat bugs and they will delight you with a nightly chorus of croaks and barks.

Now Do the Footwork

So there's the basic rundown on my five favorite varieties of pet geckos and a sampling of information on each of them. Want to learn more? Research them and read all about them. You won't be sorry and you may find a great new friend in the process. Just be sure not to cut corners - No matter if he's warm-blooded or cold-blooded, a pet is a member of your family and deserves the same kind of quality care that you, yourself, expect. Going the extra distance and researching your future pet thoroughly will help to ensure the two of you share a long and healthy life together.

Sources:
Many years working with reptiles and managing pet stores, as well as hands-on experience with these wonderful reptiles (primarily Leopard, African Fat-Tails and Tokay).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Caledonian_Crested_Gecko - Information on the Crested Gecko

http://www.pangeareptile.com/gargoylecare.htm - Information on the Crested Gecko