A change in stock

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black_sun

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Jul 31, 2008
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New Jersey
So, I'm preparing for the winter order at work and have spent some time clearing out stock in my reptile section. They had a bunch of things that just weren't selling (Fat Tail Geckos, Iguanas, Red Tail Boas, Corn Snakes, Tree Frogs)... Most of the animals were good animals, just not good visually in our enclosures (If people don't see them, they don't want them) or were waaaaaay too pricey.

So now that I've made some store to store transfers, done a few promotional sales, etc I've gotten some space freed up and am looking into ordering a bunch of new things.

I'm looking at the normal things like Bearded Dragons and Ball Pythons, because they always sell well. But am considering bringing in things like Plated Lizards, Rainbow Boas, Garter Snakes, Day Geckos, Blue Tongue Skinks.

But on my availability lists from vendors I saw a few things that peaked my interest and wondered if you all thought they'd be a worth while animal to bring in in a store. They were Dwarf Tegu, Goliath Bird Eating Spider, Frilled Lizard, Bosc Monitor, Crocodile Gecko and Armadillo Lizard. These were also all things that were too horribly expensive, much to my surprise. Pros/Cons to bringing any of these in?
 
You can get boscs pretty cheap at expos so I don't know why they would be expensive from a stocking list. Goliath Bird eating spiders get pretty big, and look kind of ugly, but some people might like them. Armadillo lizards are really cool, and they shouldn't be too expensive. I say get blue tongue skinks as they are very cool,definitely some plateds, day geckos(who doesn't love the Geico gecko) and rainbow boas. I say not to get garters, but I dislike garters so that is biased.... hope I helped if even a little
 
Haha, sorry that was I typo I meant to write "weren't too horribly expensive". The most expensive thing on there was the Frilled, at $90. Everything else was under $50, but even the Frilly price surprised me... the local stores carry them for $150+ around here.
 
The crocodile gecko has been on my list of critters to get for a long time. Not too many stores carry them (in my area at least) and they go great with crested geckos. They have a very calm but predatory look that I find a lot of people like. I'd also say to go with the frilled lizard. They are one of my favorites. I've only ever seen one in the local stores (but he wasn't looking to good and they wanted $200).
 
black_sun said:
So, I'm preparing for the winter order at work and have spent some time clearing out stock in my reptile section. They had a bunch of things that just weren't selling (Fat Tail Geckos, Iguanas, Red Tail Boas, Corn Snakes, Tree Frogs)... Most of the animals were good animals, just not good visually in our enclosures (If people don't see them, they don't want them) or were waaaaaay too pricey.

So now that I've made some store to store transfers, done a few promotional sales, etc I've gotten some space freed up and am looking into ordering a bunch of new things.

I'm looking at the normal things like Bearded Dragons and Ball Pythons, because they always sell well. But am considering bringing in things like Plated Lizards, Rainbow Boas, Garter Snakes, Day Geckos, Blue Tongue Skinks.
Click to expand...

I'd say get the rainbow boas, day geckos, plated lizards, and maybe the blue tongue skinks if the price is right; all of those should sell pretty well. As for the other two, garter snakes can be easily capture around where you are so why would someone want to buy one (have overheard this many times while in various pet stores, including specialty reptile shops, and at reptile shows).

black_sun said:
But on my availability lists from vendors I saw a few things that peaked my interest and wondered if you all thought they'd be a worth while animal to bring in in a store. They were Dwarf Tegu, Goliath Bird Eating Spider, Frilled Lizard, Bosc Monitor, Crocodile Gecko and Armadillo Lizard. These were also all things that were too horribly expensive, much to my surprise. Pros/Cons to bringing any of these in?
Click to expand...

I'd pass on all of these except for the armadillo lizard for various reasons:

  • Dwarf "tegu"
    • Not an actual tegu; it's Ameiva ameiva, a species of whiptail lizard
    • Zippy lizards that get about 20" long
    • Not really that good when it comes to handling
  • Goliath Bird Eating Spider
    • Giant spider
    • Not too many people are willing to take on such a beast
  • Frilled Lizard
    • Cool lizard that needs a big enclosure and gets decent-sized
    • Foul temperament for the most part; very fast
    • I see pet shops with these guys all the time, and they never sell unless they're marked down a ton
      • A PetCo near me had them marked down to $75 before they sold any; they were actually in good shape, too
  • Bosc Monitor a.k.a. Savannah Monitor
    • Nice monitor that doesn't get huge (at least as far as monitors go)
    • Good beginner's monitor
    • Good temperament; can be handled
    • Downside is that they're super cheap and can be had for $20 at reptile shows, so may be a tough sell
  • Crocodile Gecko
    • Looks cool, but that's about where the appeal stops
    • Fast and really not the best when it comes to handling
    • Basically like a house gecko
You might also want to see if you can get crocodile skinks. They look pretty cool (like a mini dinosaur), stay small (can be kept in a 10 gallon aquarium for life), are easy to care for, and are great for beginner's and experts alike.
 
Wiggles92 said:
  • Dwarf "tegu"
    • Not an actual tegu; it's Ameiva ameiva, a species of whiptail lizard
    • Zippy lizards that get about 20" long
    • Not really that good when it comes to handling
    {
Click to expand...


  • It's actually not Ameiva ameiva, it's Callopistes maculatus. At least, that's what's written on the stock list.


    Wiggles92 said:
    You might also want to see if you can get crocodile skinks. They look pretty cool (like a mini dinosaur), stay small (can be kept in a 10 gallon aquarium for life), are easy to care for, and are great for beginner's and experts alike.
    Click to expand...

    I wish. Sadly, that's not something we can order ever... I would special order those for myself in a heartbeat, forget the store, haha. But for whatever reason, neither of our vendors carry those at any time during the year. -_-
 
black_sun said:
It's actually not Ameiva ameiva, it's Callopistes maculatus. At least, that's what's written on the stock list.
Click to expand...

I'd still pass on it since it's not a true tegu.

black_sun said:
I wish. Sadly, that's not something we can order ever... I would special order those for myself in a heartbeat, forget the store, haha. But for whatever reason, neither of our vendors carry those at any time during the year. -_-
Click to expand...

Darn. Those lizards could be the next big thing in small lizards if they were more widely available.
 
I know, I love them. They're such unique looking critters that don't have hard or large care requirements. I bet almost anyone would love them, if they could actually see them around someplace.

I even ask for them at the trade shows and expos sometimes, and I usually get an answer of "Yea, I guess I could get them but why would you want one?" ... 'cuz they're neat, darn it.
I did find some online, but they're available through a seller that I've heard a lot of negative feedback about some I'm leery about ordering any. I may cave in though and get a pair.
 
you gonna ship?
i need some more crocodile geckos

I hate to say this but I think most collectors are staying away from Petstores and going with Private Breeders and Many people are buying at shows
 
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