Why are giant geckos, Rhacodactylus leachianus, so expensive?
Giant geckos are kept in pairs, require large enclosures, have a long generation time, and on average in large colonies produce 4 babies a year. There are years when some pairs do not breed, or have bad first clutches or are/become incompatible. In the same amount of space one keeps R. leachianus, you could house up to 3 males and 12-18 female leopard geckos, which could produce 150 babies a year. That’s 300 babies if raised from hatchlings, by the time a giant gecko pair produces its first clutch. In addition, breeders hold back and raise up babies for selective breeding, which further increases costs and reduces sellable output. Grande Terre giant geckos usually don’t kick in before they are 3-4 years old.
