If you want to bring home a Leopard Gecko, one of the first questions you may ask is “how much does one cost?”
The answer isn’t as simple as it may seem. Some Leopard Geckos have sold for over $2,500!
There are lots of factors that influence the price of a Leopard Gecko. Color, pattern, age, genetics and breeder all have a role to play.
Before you buy a leopard gecko it is important to know what affects their price. This way you will be fully prepared and know what a fair amount is.
This article will breakdown everything you need to know about Leopard Gecko pricing. We answer how much is a Leopard Gecko and also share some fun price facts and ownership costs along the way…
Article Contents
How Much Is A Leopard Gecko?
On average a beginner will pay between $50-$75 for a pet Leopard Gecko.
How much you pay will vary greatly.
For as little as $50 you can easily buy a standard leopard gecko, which is what most beginners start with. On the other side of the hobby, you may find collectors buying a rare morph for over $2,000!
There are actually multiple factors that affect the price of a Leopard Gecko.
Bloodlines, parents, breeder warranties, and morph can all play a role.
Where you buy your leopard gecko from will probably have the biggest impact on these factors and, in turn, the price tag.
Most beginner keepers prefer to keep things simple when it comes their first Leopard Gecko. This means that most choose the standard wild-type.
If you are a beginner looking to get a standard leopard gecko, you generally won’t have to pay very much. They are easily bred and are easy to find within the pet trade from private breeders and pet stores. Generally, you can expect to pay between $50 and $75 for one.
While a common leopard gecko price of $50-$75 is normal, it will still vary based on different factors.
For example, if you want a wild-type from a leopard gecko breeder that has great health warranties, it will be closer to $75. A hatchling from a large pet store may be on the lower end of the price range at under $50.
Leopard Gecko Price List
While the price of leopard geckos depends on many factors, there are some general prices.
Since price will vary based on where you buy from, it can be a little confusing determining what a fair price is.
The table below should give you a better idea of the cost of a gecko based on age and breeder.
| Breeder | Hatchlings | Hatchling Average | Adults | Adult Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | $30-$75 | $45 | $50-$150 | $60 |
| Pet Store | $20-$70 | $30 | $40-$100 | $50 |
| Private Breeder / Expo | $50-$150 | $75 | $60-$200 | $75 |
Breeder Price
Reputable breeders will usually sell standard leopard geckos for $75.
Breeders often have the most variety, with many interesting morphs, colors and lineages. Not only do they have unique lizard, they also have detailed information on their genetics and lineages.
Some of the best breeders also offer warranties and health guarantees.
Breeders usually guarantee the health of their hatchlings within a certain period of time, and offer lifetime support.
Their support can be invaluable for newer keepers that may not be as confident with husbandry, care and habitat setup.
Ethical breeders are all very transparent with their breeding operation and will provide proof of their high-quality husbandry.
Buying from a private breeder will ensure that you receive a healthy, well-adjusted leopard gecko that has been well socialized and handled and had the best start in life.
Healthy leopard geckos and good customer service comes with a small price increase, but there is no doubt that the benefits outweigh the costs. You will save more money in the long run by buying a healthy individual from an ethical source.
Pet Store Price
You can often find leopard geckos for sale from pet stores for as little as $50.
Some of the cheapest places you can buy a leopard gecko from are pet stores.
A low price doesn’t mean you should run out and get your new gecko there. Sometimes these stores buy their geckos in bulk from “reptile-mill” breeders. These unethical breeders will often sell sick or injured reptiles that are kept in poor conditions.
Not only will buying from an unethical breeder cost more money in the long run with vet bills, but the pet you buy might be too sick to even survive.
Pet stores will also have little to no information about genetics or bloodlines.
They often sell most as standard or fancy leopard geckos.
While this may not be an issue for some keepers, those that plan on staying in the hobby will absolutely want to know about their gecko’s genetics. Knowing the genetics is important in certain morphs. There is a neurological disease in leopard geckos called Enigma Syndrome, named after the gene and morph that it is associated with.
Finally, most pet stores offer no health guarantee or support services. These guarantees usually indicate that a breeder is confident in the quality of the hatchlings they breed.
Factors That Affect Price
What you pay for a leopard gecko will depend on:
- Morph (color and pattern)
- Bloodline
- Breeder
- Health Guarantees
- Age (hatchling, juvenile or adult)
- State
Morph
Morph (i.e. color and pattern) is definitely one of the most influential factors.
A morph is a type of leopard gecko that has a specific color or pattern.
Certain morphs are much more difficult to breed than others and this will often be reflected in the price. For example, wild-types are bred to have the coloration seen in wild leopard geckos. They are extremely easy to breed and therefore one of the cheapest morphs.
Wild-type or standard leopard geckos are very popular with beginner keepers.
Other morphs are more complicated to breed and they cost a lot more.
For example, breeding Mack Snow morphs can take generations and you can easily pay over $150 for a healthy juvenile.
Here are a few notable morphs and what you can expect to pay:
| Morph | Price | Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| Black Night | $400-$3,000 | The black night leopard gecko price can range from between $400-$3,000! This is one of the most expensive morphs currently for sale and you will likely pay between $1,000-$3,000 for very dark colored ones. Those that aren’t completely black are $400-$700. |
| Eclipse | $75-$125 | Eclipse geckos have solid black eyes and are bred with a recessive gene that only affects eye color. This recessive trait is usually combined with other genes to make morphs like super snows, Tremper eclipses and blizzards. You can usually purchase an eclipse for $75-$125. |
| Rainwater Albino | $200-$400 | The rainwater albino was bred by Tim Rainwater in 1998 and is one of 3 albino morphs. These lizards are albino and have notably darker eyes than other albinos. They are also generally smaller in size and will be between $200-$400. |
| Murphy’s Patternless | $50-$70 | Standard leopard geckos are named because of the distinct “leopard” patterns on their bodies. This gecko has little to no pattern. They are usually a solid color and sell for $50-$70. |
| Orange | $80-$400 | An orange leopard gecko is usually a tangerine morph, but some breeders have made interesting morphs like sunglows using the tangerine gene. You can get an orange for between $80-$150, though morphs like the sunglow can be sold for $270-$400 |
| Tremper Albino | $50-$200 | This morph is another type of albino, but they are known for their pale eyes and brownish markings. You can get a basic tremper albino for $50-$125. Some of the mixed morphs like the Tremper sunglow or Giant Tremper will be well over $200. |
| Fancy | $50-$70 | The fancy Leopard Gecko morph is not actually a recognized morph. Lots of pet stores will label any gecko that is not a normal wild-type as a “fancy”. Usually they cost a little more than standard geckos at $50-$70. |
Health Guarantees
You will frequently see reputable breeders guaranteeing the health of their geckos, that they will arrive at your home healthy, and that you will be 100% satisfied.
In general, private breeders will charge more than pet stores.
However, the quality and health of their leopard geckos is often much better.
Pet stores may be cheaper initially but their hatchlings may be low quality and sickly.
Breeder
Not only does morph affect price, but the breeder can as well.
Certain breeders will have unique lineages.
These breeders are known for their leopard gecko’s vivid colors, docile dispositions or impeccable health. This explains why leopard gecko prices vary between breeders.
It is always recommended to buy a Leopard Gecko from a reputable private breeder. This can include breeders in your area, online, or at a nearby expo.
Age
Age can change how much are leopard geckos, aside from morph and breeder.
Hatchlings and juveniles will often be less than adults. This is because they require more care, food, and money to raise compared to an adult.
State
Lastly, and maybe surprisingly, the state you live in can alter the price.
Some states like Ohio and Florida have a high concentration of reptile breeders and many well-known reptile expos. Since the market is active in these states, you can usually buy a leopard gecko for between $50-$75.
Other states without dedicated breeders or that have very cold temperatures will usually have leopard geckos that cost more.
For example, Alaska has a low density of breeders and shipping to this state costs much more because of the cold climate.
Shipping to colder states must also take place in the warmer months of the year. Reputable breeders will not ship out a reptile if temperatures are expected to dip below 40°F.
Fun Price Facts
- The Urban Gecko once sold a pair of black pearl leopard gecko morphs for over $6,000. This morph is so rare that males aren’t even sold to the public. The black pearl morph is similar to the black night as they are almost entirely black, but these geckos have pearl-colored markings along their bodies.
- Black night morphs are currently the most expensive leopard geckos for sale. This morph is hyper-melanistic and is the culmination of decades of breeding. The difficulty of producing this morph results in a price tag anywhere from $1,000-$3,000.
- The bell albino is one of the latest albino morphs for sale. This morph has light pink eyes, and is almost lavender in color with brown spots. Since this is a rarer morph, you can expect to pay between $200 and $500 for one.
- Leopard geckos are more expensive in states that don’t have many breeders. You won’t find many reptile breeders in colder states like Montana or North Dakota and therefore it will be much more expensive to buy a leopard gecko.
Ownership Costs
The price of a leopard gecko is not the only cost you need to consider.
Husbandry, tank, setup, food and maintenance costs will also be a factor.
These costs aren’t necessarily high, but it will be something you need to account for before you bring your new reptile home.
For a leopard gecko’s enclosure the initial setup will likely be at least $300.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 20-gal glass tank | $175-$200 |
| Heating bulbs | $10 |
| UVB bulb | $10-$15 |
| Reptile carpet | $10-$15 |
| Décor, substrate, hides, thermometers and hygrometers | $100-$150 |
| Total | $305-$490 |
A 20-gallon glass tank can run between $175-$200, heating bulbs around $10, UVB bulbs between $10-$15, and a substrate like reptile carpet will be priced at around $10-$15.
For décor, hides, various thermometers and hygrometers, and other necessary equipment, you will likely spend between $100-$150.
The first year of owning your gecko will likely be the most expensive.
Thankfully this cost drops off pretty drastically. Big purchases like a 20-gallon tank should last you the entire lifespan of your leopard gecko.
That being said, there are still some monthly costs you will need to consider.
Monthly Costs
Food and enclosure maintenance will likely be your biggest monthly expenses.
For the enclosure, you will need to replace the UVB bulb every six months. The heating bulbs will also need replacing every year. Substrate like paper towels and newspaper will need to be replaced frequently.
The diet of your leopard gecko is relatively simple, but you will need to buy supplies.
Young geckos usually eat more than adults as they need to eat frequently in order to grow properly. For adults you will likely spend $25 a month on insects and $40+ for hatchlings.
You will also need to buy vitamin supplements which can run to $5 a month.
Finally, you will need to factor in any exotic vet visits your pet may need. Usually, you will be safe putting aside $100 a year for medical costs.
In total you can expect to spend under $50 a month on caring for a leopard gecko.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Substrate | $5 |
| Food | $25 |
| Supplements | $5 |
| Bulbs | $5 |
| Healthcare | $8 |
Summary
The answer to “how much does a leopard gecko cost?” will depend on a variety of factors.
Morph, genetics, age, lineage, what state you live in, and even where you buy your leopard gecko from are all factors that will affect the price.
Generally a beginner will pay $50-$75 for a standard Leopard Gecko.
Hobbyists or experienced reptile keepers may decide to buy a rare morph which can run from $200-$3,000 depending on the type.
Some of the cheapest places you can buy a leopard gecko from are pet stores.
However, pet stores often have little to no information about genetics or bloodlines. They also offer no health guarantee or support services.
Reputable breeders will usually sell standard leopard geckos for $75. Breeders have detailed information on their genetics and lineages. Some of the best breeders also offer warranties, health guarantees and support.
Beginners should also consider the upkeep costs of keeping leopard geckos healthy.
The first year is often the most expensive, usually costing over $300 to provide a good tank set-up.
While these costs can be intimidating, leopard geckos are a very cheap pet with great personalities. Once you get them set up, it will cost a lot less to keep them well-fed and healthy.
Let us know how much you paid for your leopard gecko in the comments!
