Looking to add a fun and easy-to-care-for reptile to your family? Geckos may be the perfect choice! These charismatic lizards come in a huge variety of colors and patterns, stay a manageable size, and don’t require complicated setups or expensive care.
If you’re hoping to get a gecko on a budget, have no fear – with a bit of research and planning, you can find an affordable gecko pet.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: The cheapest geckos to buy and own long-term are certain color morphs of crested geckos, African fat-tailed geckos, leopard geckos, and mourning geckos.
You can often find these for under $50 as juveniles, and they have simple habitat, heating, lighting, and diet needs compared to pricier species.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to find a cheap gecko pet, including:
How Much Do Geckos Cost?
When considering getting a pet gecko, it’s important to understand all the costs involved with properly caring for them. Geckos may seem like an inexpensive pet at first glance, but their habitat setup and maintenance does require some investment.
However, geckos can still be a relatively affordable reptile companion if you plan and budget accordingly.
Purchase Price
You can often find baby geckos for sale from reputable breeders for $20-$60 depending on the species and morph. More rare color and pattern varieties often cost more upfront. Adult geckos sometimes cost less if being rehomed from previous owners.
Habitat Costs
Properly housing your gecko is essential for their health and wellbeing. You’ll need an escape-proof glass terrarium or tank, substrates like reptile carpeting or paper towels, hides/caves, branches, plants, water and food dishes, thermometers and hygrometers to monitor conditions, and more decor.
These habitat startup costs can range from $80 up to $300+ for larger or more customized setups.
Heating and Lighting
Because geckos are cold-blooded reptiles, providing adequate heating and lighting in their terrarium is vital. Most species require a warm side around 88-92°F provided by an under tank heating mat regulated by a thermostat. Some also need overhead basking lights.
Quality temperature control equipment helps prevent dangerous overheating. Expect to spend $40-$100+ getting the right heating products for your specific gecko’s needs.
Food Costs
Feeder insects like crickets, mealworms, or dubia roaches form the staple diet of most geckos. They may also occasionally eat prepared powdered diets, fruits, veggies, or baby food. Feeding one adult leopard gecko a varied diet costs roughly $5-$10 per month.
Crested geckos only require powdered fruit diet mixes costing <$10 for multiple months. Larger or breeding geckos consume more insects.
Vet Care
While geckos are fairly hardy when cared for properly, bringing them to an exotic veterinarian for annual checkups and when ill is a must. Expect to budget $100-$300 per year for exam fees and possible lab tests or medication if issues arise. Locating a qualified herp vet beforehand is advised.
Having an “exotic pet fund” savings provides a cushion for unexpected healthcare costs.
The Cheapest Gecko Species
Crested Geckos
Native to New Caledonia, crested geckos are one of the most popular pet lizards due to their easy care requirements and low cost. These colorful lizards can live 15-20 years and only need a 10-20 gallon tank as adults, making them a great small pet.
Crested geckos are insectivores, but they will thrive on commercial crested gecko diet which can be purchased inexpensively online or at pet stores. Temperatures in the 70s-80s F and moderate humidity are perfect for these tropical geckos. Handling is easy since they rarely bite or drop their tails.
With an average price of $50-100, crested geckos are hands-down the most budget-friendly gecko species for beginners and experienced keepers alike.
African Fat-Tailed Geckos
As their name suggests, African fat-tailed geckos have distinct fat reserves in their tails for storing nutrients. This makes them very hardy pets compared to other geckos. These docile lizards only grow 6-10 inches long, so a 10-20 gallon tank is sufficient.
They are nocturnal and prefer temperatures in the 80s F with a hot basking spot around 90 F. Humidity should be kept low, around 40-50%. Fat-tails are omnivorous and will readily accept insects like crickets and mealworms as well as commercial gecko diet.
With an average price of $30-60, African fat-tailed geckos are cheaper than leopard geckos and offer a great introductory gecko for first-time owners.
Leopard Geckos
As one of the most popular pet lizards, leopard geckos are a great choice for both children and adults. These docile geckos only grow 8-11 inches as adults and live 10-20 years in captivity. A 20-30 gallon tank is sufficient for an adult leopard gecko.
Temperatures should range from 75-88 F with a basking spot around 90-95 F. Leopard geckos are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. They eagerly accept live insects like crickets, mealworms, and dubia roaches.
With an average price of $50-100, leopard geckos cost slightly more than crested geckos but are still very affordable and readily available from breeders and pet stores.
Mourning Geckos
Native to New Zealand, mourning geckos are unique because they are parthenogenic – females can reproduce without mating with a male! These geckos are small, only reaching 4-6 inches in length, so a 5-10 gallon tank is ideal.
Mourning geckos are arboreal, meaning they climb well, so vertical space is important. Temperatures should range from 65-75 F with access to ambient light. Humidity should be moderate around 60-70%. Insects are readily accepted, but these geckos can also eat fruit baby food and nectar.
At an average price of $50-75 each, mourning geckos are a bit more than leopard geckos but still very affordable for such a fascinating pet reptile.
Tips for Saving Money on Gecko Care
Buy a Juvenile Gecko
Purchasing a baby or juvenile gecko between 3-6 months old can save you quite a bit compared to getting an adult. Babies are often less than half the price! Just make sure to factor in the costs of feeding them more frequently as they grow.
An adult gecko may only need to be fed 2-3 times per week, while a juvenile needs daily feedings.
Choose a Simple Habitat
You don’t need an elaborate vivarium with live plants and a background mural to house a gecko. Opt for a basic 20-gallon tank with paper towels or reptile carpet as a substrate. Add a few plastic foliage, rocks or logs from the pet store’s reptile section for enrichment.
Voila – an affordable and practical gecko habitat!
Use a Heat Mat Instead of Lamps
Under tank heat mats are an economical alternative to heat lamps and ceramic heat emitters. A good heat mat runs just $20-30 and uses less electricity. Place it under one side of the tank to create a temperature gradient. Make sure to use a thermostat or rheostat to control the temperature.
Offer Lower-Cost Feeders
Crickets and mealworms are cheaper feeder options than dubia roaches or hornworms. Buy them in bulk online to save. You can also offer your gecko scraps from your own kitchen, like tiny pieces of raw lean meat or hard-boiled eggs once a week.
This provides enrichment while cutting down on feeder costs.
Do Preventative Health Care
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Doing small things to keep your gecko healthy will avoid big vet bills down the road. Spot clean the tank regularly, maintain proper heating and humidity, disinfect items when swapping between geckos, and examine your gecko weekly for signs of illness.
Addressing issues early allows for simple at-home treatment.
Are Cheap Geckos Right for You?
Consider Life Span
When considering getting a pet gecko, it’s important to think about their typical lifespan. Many of the most popular pet gecko species like leopard geckos can live 10-20 years with proper care. Make sure you are ready for a long-term commitment before bringing one of these cute critters home.
Longevity is one reason geckos make great starter reptiles for kids – they can last through much of childhood!
Factor in Time Commitment
Caring for geckos requires daily maintenance like spot cleaning, feeding, and occasional tank cleaning. Most species need their habitat temperatures and humidity monitored and adjusted. Handling your gecko a few times a week is also recommended for their health and bonding.
Altogether, plan to spend at least 30 minutes a day attending to a single gecko. The more geckos you have, the more time required.
Remember That Cheaper Isn’t Always Better
When researching gecko costs,aim for quality over the lowest price. Geckos themselves can often be found quite cheaply, even free in some cases! However, the real costs come from proper habitat setup and ongoing care. Never house geckos in minimal, inappropriate enclosures to save money.
Provide an adequately sized tank,quality heating and lighting, hides, and substrates to create a healthy home.
Buying a juvenile gecko around 3 months old is ideal for health and bonding. Adults may be cheaper, but won’t acclimate as well. Sick geckos are also inexpensive, but require extensive veterinary care. Paying a bit more up front ensures a thriving, long-lived gecko who will be your companion for years to come!
Conclusion
Geckos can make fantastic, low-maintenance reptile pets for new or budget-conscious owners. While some species and morphs can be quite costly, others like crested geckos and leopard geckos can be kept happily on a very affordable budget.
By choosing one of the cheap beginner species covered here and being selective about habitat, food, and accessories, you can find an enjoyable companion gecko without breaking the bank. Just be sure to thoroughly research proper care so your new little lizard stays healthy and lives a long, happy life!
Do you have experience caring for inexpensive pet geckos? We’d love to hear your tips and recommendations in the comments!
