Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard_Harrow
Thanks for the replies folks. I really appreciate some of your insight
I do LOVE dogs and cats and owned a cat for 17 years (she passed away from cancer last year though  )
The reason I probably wont get a dog is because I work a ton(especially lately) and am not at my home that much so I don't think it would be fair to the dog. Cats on the other hand are something I might consider (on top of getting a lizard too)
Right now I'm leaning towards a leopard gecko because all you really need is a 10 to 20 gallon tank with a under tank heater (and a couple of hiding spots for them) |
If you are choosing between the two of those I would actually go with a bearded dragon. They may require a slightly bigger cage but other than that leopard geckos don't have much benefit over a bearded dragon (other than the exotic color morphs you can find).
The biggest difference you may not be thinking about is the feeding. Leopard geckos are exclusively insectivores. So you will need to have a steady supply of mealworms and crickets. Mealworms are easier to keep around because they sell them in the tubs and you won't notice them much and they are escape artists. But if you have to run to the store every few days for crickets you will become increasingly annoyed and the likelihood of some escaping is pretty much a guarantee.
Bearded dragons on the other hand can basically be trained to eat anything that is in your refrigerator and they actually prefer a varied diet of dark greens, fruits, and vegetables. All of that can be easily stored in your refrigerator and you have a ready supply of food for it. Essentially, it is like feeding a dog or cat.
The difference in price between initial setup for a leopard gecko and bearded dragon is minimal. They both require the heating elements, substrate, decorations, etc. The only difference is that of the larger tank. And you can easily offset that cost by getting a tank off craigslist.