For those of you who have various species...

[nmcnick]

I have 2 beardies, three leos, and a true fire skink.

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True Fire Skink:

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If you don't mind me asking, what is the difference between True Fire Skinks and Fire Skinks?

Also, Blue Tongue Skinks are the smartest lizard I've ever had- but, my Beardie is young, and these are the only two reptiles I have, so I'm not exactly qualified to say. She's just INSANELY smart, has escaped on multiple occasions. I had to take the background out once because she climbed up it and started crawling on the ceiling of the cage, I wish I could've gotten a picture. She's a little devil, hehe. But, I really do love my Beardie as well. He is very interactive, and Ill often look over to find him staring at me. I'm sure with time he will become more calm and intellectual than he seems now, he is only about a month old. They both have so much personality.

 

[zandi202]

My boyfriend looked it up a while ago. I think it's where they origante from, but not sure.

 

[Ophiophilist]

Leos are much easier to care for, but they are nocturnal and so not all that active during the day. Mine aren't all that active, period, but they are sweet and friendly once they are adults and if you put in the time to tame them. My beardie seems a lot more aware and alert. But leos can live a lot longer, more like 20 years.

 

[Feline]

I would invest in a Beardie hands down because no leopard gecko would ride calmly on your shoulder while you drive around. Or perhaps I'm just biased. :mrgreen: Beardies are super calm and easy to handle and very personable. My Beardie is so easy going and gets along with cats and dogs and other reptiles AND kids. But if he doesn't like something he will squirm and run away. Generally, he is very laid back and interactive; he does his arm waving when he is outside basking in the sun. But of course every Beardie is different. Beardies are meant to be a long term commitment though, as with any other pet so please take your time in deciding which pet is right for you.

Best of luck o you and I hope you find a pet that's suitable for you soon!!! :mrgreen:

 

[Fizzylady]

We have a beardie and a leo. The beardie is way friendlier and relaxed, however, he requires way more time, food, and finances than the leo. If you have the time and money to commit to a beardie then they are great pets, but if you are looking for less of a time commitment and a reptile thats not as expensive to feed then a leo is a better choice.

 

[Chaosadnd1]

I have a beardie and a leo. Another leo on the way. It really depends on the personality of the animal. Younger leo's tend to be a bit skittish but usually grow out of it. Beardies can be a bit skittish to at younger ages. Leo's are ALOT cheaper to feed than beardies especially in the first year.

So it all depends on which you really want and cost.

 

[ColorMeAbby]

beardies are in my opinion the friendliest, I have a savannah monitor that tries to bite me and whip me, I swear he's plotting my death, but he's not mine, I got bite by a lepord gecko, I don't like those either, I have a crestie, I dunno how I feel about him yet. but I really like my beardies. I plan on having a bunch of them :3

 

[Chaosadnd1]

Leos tame very easy. But they do bite especially when babies. I've never seen mine even attempt to open its mouth at me. Though mine is a full grown adult.

 

[ColorMeAbby]

Leos tame very easy. But they do bite especially when babies. I've never seen mine even attempt to open its mouth at me. Though mine is a full grown adult.

the one that bit me was an adult, but im not sure how much they handled it, I tried to pick it up and it bit my pinky and scrapped off the nail polish. I've been told mixed things on them.

 

[cappy]

Thanks guys. I'm really considering everything y'all have said. Its a tough desision but ill let you know when I decide.

 

[Chaosadnd1]

Leos tame very easy. But they do bite especially when babies. I've never seen mine even attempt to open its mouth at me. Though mine is a full grown adult.

the one that bit me was an adult, but im not sure how much they handled it, I tried to pick it up and it bit my pinky and scrapped off the nail polish. I've been told mixed things on them.

When I worked at a petstore many moons ago ( about 13 years ago) the owner HATED leos. Saying that they bit all of the time and really hurt. He would almost never order them to sell in the store because of this. The leos that he did get in sparingly he would refuse to take care of, so I did it. I got bit plenty of times by babies, but only ever once by an adult. And the adult was totally my fault.

 

[zandi202]

I've gotten bit only once by a leo and 2/3 I own I've had since babies. The only time I got bit was when my first leo, at this point a juvie, was having toruble shedding her feet and I was trying to help her with the sauna and q-tip method. It didn't even hurt, it was more shock that she bit me than anything else. My two newest ones have yet to bite me. One used to scream when he was little, but got over that.

 

[argolupin]

Here is how I see my reptiles (though each is different of my 4 leopards only one really "begs" to come out)

Crestie -
my crestie did love to come out though more to try to climb my walls more than anything, a little harder to care for but didn't require the heat,

Gargoyle Gecko - temperament was the same as the crestie's

Leopards - I have 2 babies I am working on socializing right now but I have 2 adult females right now and have had many others when my leopards were well socialized they loved to come out and hang around on my shoulder (though currently I only have one that does) though when they haven't been handled for awhile I have been bitten and hissed at. They are also more prone to running around to get away if they haven't been handled

Crocodile geckos - I still can't pick my babies up, they are look at only pets

Beardies - My adult male was a rescue with no socialization and while he was scared it was easy to pick him up and he used to hang out with me all day, he has since gotten used to our surroundings and while he lets me hold him outside his tank only my husband cam pull him out of his tank and only on his terms. The baby I have is skittish and doesn't want to be handled but I am much less afraid of his bite than my adults so I pick him up anyways and am working hard on the socialization part.

Hope this helps... definitely do your research before bringing anything home, I researched for a long time before buying any of mine...