In my Introduction I explained that we are wanting to buy either a Beardie or a Leopard gecko for our oldest son. I received great advice there that I am going to follow as best possible. I will be responsible for feeding, caring etc. and systematically hand over responsibility to our oldest son as time goes on.
Well, today I went to one of the recommended petshops here in Pmb, and the lady had four adult (2yrs) female Beardies and two older (as long as my hand) Leopard Geckos for sale. She told me that Leopards are not lizards that kids (my son will be turning 8 in November) should keep and that they are more for looking at in their enclosure than to actually have as pet, like the Beardie. She also said that you shouldn't start off with a baby lizard (whether Leopard or Beardie) and that you should rather buy the more mature ones as they weren't as susceptible to die from wrong treatment and that you need to be very accurate with temperatures, feeding, etc.
I have to add that the four Beardies looked well (not that I would know if they are not), and the one that she gave me to hold was quite tame and calm in my hand, with the most beautiful orange spots under her chin!
Yesterday when I spoke to the owner of the other recommended petshop (he or his partner breed lizards, etc.) over the phone, he said to be very careful of buying older lizards, as they seldom adapt to a different house, and they may be stressed unduly because of our Jack Russell which will most probably try to catch it, or at least bark at the lizard behind glass it cannot get to. And also you don't know how those lizards were treated or whether they got enough calcium, etc.
Does it matter? What would you recommend? Are Leopard geckos mostly for watching and not for touching? If it isn't a problem buying an older Beardie, what telltale problems/symptoms should I look out for?
I did discuss the snake option again with my husband and son and it is a definite "No-Go" from all of us.
I really appreciate your advice and help.