How Much Does a Mourning Gecko Really Cost?
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Mourning geckos are one of the most affordable reptiles you can keep, and the way they're typically sold, in small groups rather than individually, changes the usual cost math in an interesting way.
The Animal Itself: $15 to $65 Each, Less When Bought in Groups
Individual hatchlings and juveniles commonly run $15 to $50, with some listings reaching $65 to $100 for specific localities like Hawaiian or Philippine Yellow-Bellied types. Mourning geckos are parthenogenetic, every one is female, and they reproduce without a male at all. Breeders frequently sell them in pairs, trios, or larger lots at a lower per-animal price, a group of three might run around $60 total, roughly $20 each. Most keepers start with two and let the colony grow on its own.
You may see "Type A, B, C, D" labels on listings. These appear to refer to locality and appearance rather than genetically distinct morphs, and there's no strong evidence of a meaningful price premium tied to type. Price is driven mostly by age and how many you buy at once, not color.
Upfront Setup: Roughly $200 to $450
| Item | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 18x18x24 in planted vivarium | $100 - $200 |
| Low-output UVB (T5 HO) | $45 - $80 |
| Tight-fitting escape-proof lid | $20 - $50 |
| Bioactive or coconut fiber substrate | $20 - $40 |
| Cork bark and dense planting | $30 - $60 |
| Hygrometer and thermometer | $15 - $25 |
| Fine mist system or manual misting bottle | $10 - $40 |
A planted vivarium plus a low-output UVB fixture make up most of the total. Since these are typically kept as a small planted display colony rather than a single animal, the setup leans toward the higher end of what a similarly-sized gecko species would need. Heat is usually the one line item you can skip entirely, since the range this species wants is what most homes already sit at.
Ongoing Costs: Roughly $10 to $25 a Month
| Item | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Commercial crested gecko diet | $30 - $60 |
| Fruit flies and tiny feeder insects | $50 - $100 |
| Calcium (always-available dish) | $10 - $20 |
| UVB bulb replacement | $45 - $80 |
| Electricity (lighting) | $25 - $45 |
| Annual vet wellness check | $50 - $90 |
Prices last checked September 2026 at Josh's Frogs and PetSmart. Retail prices move; treat the table as a snapshot, not a quote.
Food is inexpensive, powdered crested gecko diet, cultured fruit flies, or pinhead crickets, plus calcium and multivitamin supplements. Electricity for a low-output UVB bulb and an occasional mister is minimal. Most months, day-to-day costs land closer to the low end of that annual range once the bulb and vet check are amortized out.
Vet Costs
A routine exotic exam commonly runs $35 to $105, with a fecal test adding $12 to $110. An illness visit with diagnostics typically runs $150 to $300 or more. Given the animal itself often costs less than a single vet visit, it's worth deciding in advance what you're prepared to spend if something goes wrong.
Lifespan: A Decade, Give or Take
With consistent humidity, calcium supplementation, and a varied diet, mourning geckos can live up to 10 years, and some keepers report 15. Egg-laying females have higher, ongoing calcium demands, so staying on top of supplementation is what separates a gecko that reaches the long end from one that does not.
It's a smaller long-term commitment than a crested or gargoyle gecko, both of which reliably live well into their teens. If you're weighing this against other easy beginner geckos, see how the cost compares in our Gargoyle Gecko cost guide and African Fat-Tailed Gecko cost guide.
Three Geckos, Three Very Different Pets has a side by side look at all three.
Sources & Further Reading
Last reviewed 15 Sep 2026 · 3 sources
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a mourning gecko cost?
$15 to $50 for most hatchlings and juveniles, with specific localities like Hawaiian or Philippine Yellow-Bellied types reaching $65 to $100. Breeders often sell them in pairs or trios at a lower per-animal price, a trio might run around $60 total, roughly $20 each.
Why are mourning geckos usually sold in groups instead of one at a time?
Mourning geckos are parthenogenetic, meaning every individual is female and reproduces without needing a male at all. Most keepers start with two or more and let the colony grow on its own, so breeders commonly price small lots together rather than per animal.
Do the 'Type A, B, C, D' labels affect price?
Not meaningfully. These labels appear to describe locality and appearance rather than genetically distinct morphs, and there's no strong evidence of a real price premium tied to type. Age and how many you buy at once drive price far more than the labeled type.
How much does a mourning gecko setup cost upfront?
Roughly $200 to $450, more than you might expect for such a small gecko, because these are typically kept as a small planted display colony rather than a single animal in a basic tub.
How long do mourning geckos live?
Up to 10 years, with some reports of 15, on consistent humidity, calcium supplementation, and a varied diet. Egg-laying females have higher calcium demands, so staying on top of supplementation matters for reaching the long end.
📰 More on the Mourning Gecko
📘 Mourning Gecko care guide
🦎 Should You Handle a Mourning Gecko? Realistically, No
🦎 Common Mourning Gecko Health Issues (Egg-Laying Changes the Picture)
🦎 Mourning Gecko Tank Setup: A Small, Humid, Planted Display Vivarium
🦎 Mourning Gecko Feeding: Schedule, Diet, and Why They Stop Eating
🦎 Mourning Gecko Enrichment: The Only One You Should Keep in Groups
🛒 Recommended Gear
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Written by Michael Ryan
Mike keeps two rescued bearded dragons, Dex and Cera, and writes the care guides on BeastlyFacts from his own research and mistakes. He is not a veterinarian.
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