Leopard Geckos or Box Turtles?

Question

I've been reading a lot about Leopard Geckos and Box Turtles lately and I'm planning on getting one or the other. (I'm not sure which one yet.) One of my big questions is: Which are more personable? By this I guess I mean wich is more likely to recognize you from other people and "bond"? (Of course, not in the way a dog bonds with a person, but you get the idea. Of course I don't expect my gecko or turtle to come up to me wagging it's tail whenever it sees me.) Also, Is it better to hibernate Eastern Box Turtles or is it better to take them inside during the winter?
Do you *have* to feed Leopard Geckos spiders and pinky mice? The spiders I can get used to, but the pinky mice...I'm not sure. I know that the geckos have to have a variety of insects, but I'm just wondering about those 2.

And my last question is: Do any of you own either one of these or both? Which one do you think is the better pet?

Answer 1

I have two eastern box turtles, they are friendly but they've been in captivity for over twenty years, so they are really use to people.

I hibernate my turtles indoors in a cool room in the basement. I try to keep it about 45 degrees F.

If the turtles don't hibernate they get more stressed over time and are unhealthy. Kind of like how it wears on people when they only get a couple hours sleep per night for weeks on end.

Other than that turtles are easy to take care of. They have a pen that's outside. I give them vegetables and worms and since they are outside they find a lot of bugs to eat as well.

If you decide to get a box turtle e-mail me and I'll send you some links to good box turtle sites (I don't have them right now because I'm at work)

Answer 2

Do not feed spiders or pinkie mice to leopard geckos! Not necessary and not recommended food. Use crickets, mealworms, superworms, phoenix worms, silkworms.

Box turtles do not have to hibernate.

Both are nice pets, but neither will "bond". Many reptiles will recognize their owners. Tortoises tend to have a bit more personality. Both have very different requirements.

http://www.drgecko.com/index.html
http://boxturtlesite.info/bxbook.html

Answer 3

I'm pretty sure box turtles d o need to need to hibernate. I have heard stories of box turtles following their owners to the fridge for food. the leopard gecko doesn't need to much of a cage space a 10-20 gallon is good for one, it needs a heat mat, and live food but the box turtle doesn't although a plump night crawler for stimulation wouldn't hurt =D

Answer 4

I have a leopard gecko and he loves meal worms and he defiantly has a bond with my dad he recognizes him all the time but I know nothing about box turtles sorry

Answer 5

no no no no no no no! all the care & basic requirements are completly different, take a look through the link in my sources, we have some care sheets & a very friendly forum