Wondering: Are geckos good pets? The answer is yes. Geckos definitely make good pets. They’re one of the best reptiles to keep, whether you have prior experience with pets or not.
These lizards require minimal care and fit in small homes. They’re also healthy animals and have long lifespans. However, these aren’t the only reasons to own a gecko.
This post will explain why geckos are awesome pets. In addition, we’ll provide you with a list of the best gecko species you can keep.
The 6 Reasons Why Geckos Are Good Pets
Geckos are excellent pets for many reasons; here are the most common ones:
1 – Require Minimal Care
Unlike many other reptiles, geckos don’t require intensive regular care. You can provide all care requirements for your little friend within a few minutes every day or two.
In these few minutes, you’ll just provide them with a bowl of water and a bunch of insects to feed on. You’ll also do a quick spot clean for the enclosure.
Moreover, geckos’ enclosure specifications are simple. They live in a basic container with wooden caves, rocks, and faux leaves.
In addition, they need proper heat. So, you should provide them with a heat lamp and mat to keep them warm.
2 – Healthy Pets
Geckos are generally healthy animals as they aren’t commonly prone to specific diseases.
That way, you’ll only need to visit the vet once a year to check your little pet’s overall health.
3 – Fit in Small Spaces
Geckos are ideal pets if you’re living in a small apartment or home. That’s because they require only a small living space.
Your geckos will be content with a compact 12”x12”x18” enclosure. They can move around and live happily in such a limited space.
4 – Have a Gentle and Docile Personality
Many gecko pets are gentle by nature. They won’t react aggressively when you interact with them. They also won’t bite or run away when you hold or carry them on your hand or shoulder.
These lizards enjoy human interaction and companionship. For this reason, geckos are ideal pets for children who might have a hard time handling animals with difficult temperaments.
5 – Have Long Lifespan
Geckos can live up to 20 years if you care for their health. This is a relatively long lifespan compared to other pets.
This is great news if your children become highly attached to their pets.
That’s because if you bring a gecko home when your children are young, the pet will likely live until they become adults.
That way, you won’t have to deal with the heartbreaking experience of your child losing their favorite pet.
6 – Looks Cool and Exquisite
One of the main reasons geckos have gained tremendous popularity is because they look cool.
Geckos have a one-of-a-kind “small snake” look. They also have wide doe eyes that seem emotive when they look at you, not to mention their exquisite colors and patterns.
More interestingly, they can change their color when moving from one place to another.
For instance, they may have a brown color when in a woody place and turn green around greenery objects like leaves.
Are Geckos Good Pets For Beginners?
Geckos are ideal reptiles for beginners without animal care experience. They’re docile and effortless to care for.
So, if this is your first time keeping a pet, you can easily handle geckos.
Are Geckos Good Pets for Children?
Geckos are perfect pets for children and family members of all ages. That’s because they’re friendly and easy to handle.
Anyone can interact with geckos without worries as they’re neither aggressive nor have difficult temperaments.
In addition, their long lifespan makes them ideal friends for children who become closely attached to their pets.
Which Gecko Makes the Best Pet? Our 5 Top Picks
Although many geckos can make good pets, some are easier to care for and handle than others.
If you’re looking to keep a gecko, here’s a list of the most recommended ones:
1 – Leopard Gecko
Leopard geckos are among the most widely kept lizards out there as they’re highly gentle and beginner-friendly.
These geckos come in various colors, but most are white, orange, or yellow.
They also have a unique coat that includes a lot of dark spots. Leopard geckos have an expected lifespan of 10 to 20 years.
Interestingly, these lizards don’t require special lighting or enclosure specifications. Additionally, their diet is pretty simple as they feed on live insects, especially mealworms.
One of the weird things about these geckos is that they’ll drop their tail when feeling threatened.
2 – Fat-Tailed Gecko
As their name suggests, African fat-tailed geckos are known for their thick tails. They come in a wide color range, including tan, orange, and dark brown.
These geckos have a lifespan ranging between 10 and 25 years.
Moreover, fat-tailed geckos are ideal pets for beginners and children as they’re pretty friendly and require minimum care.
Like most other geckos, the primary food of this type of gecko is live insects. However, you need to dust these insects with vitamin powder and calcium before feeding them for better nutrition.
3 – Blue-Tongued Skink
Blue-tongued skinks usually come in one of these colors: silver, brown, yellow, or black.
Like the other lizards on the list, these are easy to tame and handle. In addition, they have an expected life span of around 20 years.
These Australian geckos differ from others on the list in two ways. First, they eat both vegetables and fruits, along with insects.
Second, they require more than two hiding spots in their enclosures.
4 – Crested Gecko
Crested geckos are well-known for their spiky eyelashes and the spines that run along their bodies. They come in various colors, including red, yellow, tan, and brown.
These lizards are considerably smaller than other geckos, as their maximum length is 10 inches. Additionally, they can live for up to 15 years.
What’s unique about crested geckos is their tendency to jump using their sticky toe pads. That way, you need to provide them with an enclosure with a lot of foliage and branches.
Crested geckos are easy to handle. Nonetheless, if you have a child who overacts, crested geckos might not be the best for you.
That’s because these pets are more delicate and shy than other geckos. As a result, your children’s misbehavior can provoke aggressive reactions from them.
5 – Bearded Dragon
Bearded dragon geckos are well-known for their dragon-like appearance and spiky skin. These geckos come in a tan or brown color and can live from 10 to 15 years.
Unlike many other geckos, bearded dragons are active during the day. They enjoy interacting with humans on regular bases, which makes them perfect pets for children.
Bearded dragons require UVB lighting and some special heating requirements. As for diet, they feed on insects as well as fresh fruits.
Final Thoughts
Are geckos good pets? Yes, they’re definitely excellent pets for many reasons.
These lizards are low-maintenance animals, healthy pets, and can live in a small space. In addition, they have a cool appearance and a gentle and docile personality.
Given that, if you decide to get a gecko, our recommended five species meet all these desired characteristics.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Film/Video/Media Studies, as well as an associates degree in Communications. I began producing videos and musical recordings nearly 15 years ago. I am a guitarist and bassist in Southwest MI and have been in a few different bands since 2009, and in 2012 I began building custom guitars and basses in my home workshop as well. When I’m home, I love spending time with my three pets (a dog, cat, and snake) and gardening in my backyard. I also like photographing wild birds, especially birds of prey.