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3 Reasons Why Are Lilly White Crested Geckos So Expensive

3 Reasons Why Are Lilly White Crested Geckos So Expensive

Even though crested geckos aren’t too expensive compared to other pets, they’re still not as cheap as they appear at face value. Few species are rare. Thus lily-white created geckos are rare and expensive. let’s find out: Why Are Lilly White Crested Geckos So Expensive

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What Are Lily Whites?

what are lily whites
what are lily whites

Lilly White-crested geckos are geckos with a high white or cream colour covering most of the gecko’s body, and the coverage spreads significantly from when the animal hatches. 

A unique thing about this trait is you can produce all the different whites and creams when breading a Lilly White to a normal geck. Crested geckos with many white or cream patterns, especially where the body pattern breaks into the creamy dorsal area, are called extreme harlequins.

Why Are Lilly Whites So Expensive?

why are lilly whites so expensive
why are lilly whites so expensive

There are various Lilly White morphs available, ranging from dalmatian to phantom, and while all of the variants are popular, their costs vary. Expect to pay from $500 to $1,000 for one of this popular and sought-after crested gecko morph. Several factors determine the price of any given High-end Crested Gecko, especially with morphs that aren’t as common, such as the Lilly White. 

Supply and demand being the driving force, just like any other market, Lilly White Crested Geckos are rarer than “normal” Crested Geckos – however, this is becoming less and less true each year. If You were worried about the price of Lilly White’s stopping you from buying one, soon in the future, you should be able to find an affordable lily-white crested gecko. 

This is because the genetics are co-dominant and are replicated approximately 50% of the time. As this happens, the supply will be higher, leading to lower prices for those High White, one-of-a-kind, High-end Crested Geckos that carry and display the Lilly White Gene.

The Cost Of Required Supplies For Lilly Whites

Purchasing your crested geckos is only one part of the equation. Before bringing your Crestie home, you need to set up its new enclosure, where most of your upfront costs will come from. Below are the main items you’ll need to purchase.

Enclosure

The enclosure will likely be the most expensive single purchase. Crested geckos need a sizable section with plenty of space to get comfortable. Don’t skimp here! Expert Tip: It will cost you more to make upgrades down the line, so it’s better to get a suitable enclosure from the start. 

There are a lot of different enclosure options out there. For a simple reptile tank, you can spend around $75 to $150. However, a high-quality vivarium-style enclosure will cost $300 or more! Plus, you need to invest in a tight-fitted screen lid, which will cost you an additional $30. 

As long as the enclosure is the right size, there’s no right or wrong choice here. Pick a habitat that matches your budget and needs. Of course, you can permanently save money by going second-hand. But, make sure that you take steps to sanitize the enclosure before setting it up thoroughly.

Habitat Decorations

Next, you’ll need to buy some furniture for your Crestie! The proper habitat setup will give your lizard a better quality of life and help them live longer. There’s a lot of wiggle room here. You can go as complex or as simple as you want! For the essentials, plan to get a food bowl, a water bowl, a couple of hiding boxes, some toys, and a few places to relax. 

Relaxation accessories should include a hammock, a climbing branch, and a basking spot. Those are just some simple furniture items that can make your crested geckos more comfortable. You can certainly get more! You can add artificial plants, caves, and natural decor if you have a larger enclosure. 

As long as you have all of your lizard’s bases covered, the rest is up to personal preference. On average, you can expect to spend between $30 to $80 on furniture.

Substrate

Choosing the suitable substrate for your crested geckos is essential! This is the material that will act as the base of the enclosure, and it’s what your Crestie will make contact with, so you need to take some time to select the appropriate material. 

The substrate is a big point of contention for crested geckos owners. You can use everything from newspaper to premium slate tiles. Generally, one of the better choices is a reptile carpet. This substrate is available at most pet stores for about ten bucks.

Lighting & Fixtures

To create a suitable environment for your lizard, you’ll need to buy lighting and fixtures. Crested geckos require basking lamps and UV lamps.

The basking lamp is what’s going to create heat for your Crestie. Don’t cheap out and rely on standard incandescent bulbs. Instead, purchase a dedicated basking light. The light fixture will cost around $10, and it may cost more depending on the quality of the clip or the security mechanism. 

The bulb itself will usually cost about $15 to $30.Expert Tip: Don’t forget that these reptiles need UVA and UVB bulbs. The lamp is more expensive. But, it’s a crucial part of the tank setup that you can’t ignore. Crested geckos rely on the UV lamp to properly synthesize calcium and stay healthy.

UV light fixtures cost, on average, around $20 to $30. The bulb itself will set you back around $20. If you have a larger tank, bulbs can cost upwards of $50.Those prices reflect fixtures and bulbs that are specifically made for reptiles. Sometimes, you can get the equipment for slightly less at a hardware store.

Additional Heat Source

If you live in a relatively warm climate, the ambient temperature may be adequate for crested geckos. But if nightly temperatures fall below 65 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll need additional heat sources, and you can’t use basking lights at night. 

These lizards need a traditional day/night cycle, so you must rely on ceramic heating elements or nighttime bulbs. Both options run about $5 to $15. Ceramic emitters are slightly more expensive, but they are considered the better choice. You must also factor in the cost of an additional lighting fixture, which is another $10 or so.

Thermometer

Second-guessing temperature is not the right way to go about maintaining optimal conditions. You need an accurate thermometer to get things just right. We recommend getting two; one for the cool side of the enclosure and one for the basking area. Depending on the model and features, prices will range from $5 to $20. Choose a unit with digital readouts and a probe for better precision and accuracy.

Interesting Further Reading

Hygrometer

Another thing you can’t go without is a hygrometer. Hygrometers measure the humidity levels of the enclosure. Prices are comparable to thermometers, so you can expect to pay $5 to $20. Some models combine a hygrometer and thermometer into one for convenience.

Food

Food costs are ongoing (obviously). Crested geckos can eat a wide range of foods. However, their primary diet should consist of live insects and fresh greens. You have a lot of choices for insects. But some of the most commonly fed bugs are brown crickets and Dubia roaches. 

A full-grown beard will eat a lot of insects a month. We’re talking upwards of 800 crickets! Note: Here’s a resource to help you determine how many crickets to feed your crested geckos. Crickets are readily available online and at most pet stores. Expect to pay roughly $20 for 500 crickets. Dubia roaches are more expensive, and prices vary dramatically depending on the source. 

However, it’s a worthy investment to mix these in because the bugs have a higher protein content. Regardless of what insect you choose, the average costs will be between $30 and $80 per month, just for the insects. You also have to factor in food for the bugs and additional costs with gut-loading. 

As for your greens, ongoing costs are generally much lower. With a nice mix of leafy greens, you can expect to spend $40 a month on the higher end. But, there are many ways to source more affordable vegetables if you want to keep costs low. You’re looking at $40 to $120 every month on food. 

That’s a pretty extensive range, so you have a lot to work with in terms of budget top of that monthly food cost, you have to provide supplements. Expert Tip: Supplements will keep your Crestie healthy and help you avoid any dietary issues living in captivity. 

These reptiles require calcium, Vitamin D3, and multivitamins. These come in powder form, making it easy to dust insects before feeding. All combined, those supplements typically cost around $30 to $60. But, you’re not going to pay this every month! A standard-sized tub of supplement powder can last well over six months with a weekly supplement schedule.

Ongoing Veterinary Costs

Annual trips to a herpetology vet or exotic animal vet are another cost you have to consider. When you first bring your crested geckos home, you must visit the vet within the first two days. Your vet will perform a series of tests to ensure that they are healthy and don’t have any potentially dangerous parasites. 

That initial visit will usually cost around $75 to $150.Moving forward, veterinary costs can be a bit unpredictable. If your lizard is healthy and has no significant problems, annual fees are usually $60 to $100.

However, unexpected illness could raise that annual cost significantly. It all depends on what’s affecting your lizard. Diagnostic tests alone could cost several hundred dollars, and on top of that, treatments could be pricey. Here, You can find Lilly White for sale or Lilly white Crested Geckos for sale.