Exo Terra Leopard Gecko Starter Kit – A Detailed Review

The Exo Terra Leopard Gecko Starter Kit is one of the most popular kits on the market for first-time leopard gecko owners. This all-in-one kit provides everything needed to create a comfortable and healthy habitat for a pet leopard gecko. In this detailed review, I’ll cover the key components of the kit, its pros and cons, who it’s best suited for, and whether it offers good value for money.

Overview of the Kit

The Exo Terra Leopard Gecko Starter Kit includes all the essentials like a glass terrarium tank, substrates, decorations, lighting, and heating. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s included:

• Exo Terra Glass Terrarium – A 30x30x45 cm tank with dual front opening doors and lockable screen cover. Provides ample space for a single leopard gecko.

• Compact Top Canopy – To place overhead lighting and heating

• Day & Night Reptile Bulb – Energy efficient LED bulb provides brightness during the day and moonlight glow at night.

• Rainforest Heat Wave Heat Mat – Affixes under the tank to provide belly heat.

• Digital Thermometer – Monitors temperature levels,

• Forest Floor Substrate – Natural-looking bedding.

• Rainforest Plantation Soil – For planting decorations.

• Forest Moss – Helps recreate a naturalistic vivarium.

• Care Guide – Provides setup and care instructions.

This covers all the basics like housing, heating, lighting and decoration. The full setup creates a natural-looking, humid rainforest-style environment suited for leopard geckos.

Pros of the Kit

There are several advantages to purchasing the Exo Terra Starter Kit:

• Convenience – Everything needed in one box for quick and easy setup.

• Good Value – Cheaper than buying all items separately.

• Reputable Brand – Exo Terra is well-known for quality products.

• Ideal Size – 30x30x45 cm tank is perfect for one leopard gecko.

• Naturalistic Look – Decorations and substrates provide a realistic, engaging environment.

• LED Lighting – Energy efficient and provides a day/night cycle.

• Sufficient Heating – The heat mat gives adequate belly heat.

• Accurate Temperature Measures – Digital thermometer monitors temperatures.

• Easy Maintenance – Parts like the substrates are easy to clean and replace.

Overall, it’s a well-rounded starter kit that takes out much of the guesswork for first-time owners.

Cons of the Kit

While the Exo Terra Kit excels in many areas, there are a few downsides to consider:

• No UVB Lighting – Doesn’t include UVB needed for leopard geckos to synthesize vitamin D3.

• Humidity Not Measured – A hygrometer to measure humidity levels isn’t included.

• Few Hiding Spots – Only includes one cave decoration for hiding/sleeping.

• No Thermostat – Needed to regulate heat mat temperatures.

• Substrates Can Cause Impaction – Loose substrates like those included pose impaction risk if ingested.

• May Require Additional Purchases – A UVB light, thermostat, hygrometer and extra hides may need to be bought separately.

So while the kit includes all the basics, a few extra accessories will likely need to be purchased over time for a complete setup.

Who Should Buy This Kit?

The Exo Terra Leopard Gecko Starter Kit is ideal for:

• First-Time Reptile Owners – Provides an easy all-in-one setup.

• Those Wanting a Pre-Assembled Setup – Saves having to research and purchase items separately.

• Beginner Leopard Gecko Keepers – Has core components to meet basic care needs.

• Reptile Breeders – Useful as a basic kit for hatchling/juvenile geckos.

• Those Wanting an Affordable Starter Kit – Fairly priced compared to buying everything individually.

While experienced keepers may want to customize their setups, the kit is a cost-effective way for novices to easily venture into leopard gecko care.

Is the Exo Terra Kit Good Value for Money?

At around $150, the Exo Terra Leopard Gecko Starter Kit provides solid value given everything that’s included right out of the box. The 30x30x45 cm glass tank alone often retails for around $100. Then you have the canopy, bulb, heat mat, digital thermometer, substrates and decorations.

When purchased separately, all these items could cost over $250. So by providing the basics for $150, the kit delivers good value and saves new owners the hassle of having to source each item individually. While a few extra accessories may be needed down the line, it still takes care of the major habitat elements at an affordable price point.

Summary

For first-time leopard gecko keepers, the Exo Terra Starter Kit is a great choice that takes the guesswork out of setup. It bundles all the essentials like housing, heating, lighting, and decorations to create a natural-looking, tropical environment suited to leopard geckos. While the addition of a UVB light, thermostat and extra hides should be considered, the kit provides a solid foundation and good value at an affordable price. For beginners who want a ready-to-assemble habitat in one package, the Exo Terra Leopard Gecko Starter Kit is a recommended option worth considering.