Aibo gave you some good general information that should help answer some of those questions you asked. There is one thing I would recommend that you do before making a purchase, since it is quite an investment and so you will not be surprised and you can go heads in with both feet and be 100% sure that Pleo Rb is what you really want. I would not only check out all the videos on Pleo Rb on this site, and there are a LOT of them, but to also check out Youtube, just by googling, Pleo Rb videos and lots of them will pop up, Many of them are by IMR, Kat, and Myself as well as Aibo, and many other forum members,
The videos will include basic care of a Pleo Rb, and IMR has some excellent videos on answering all those questions from inserting the foot battery, how to feed your Pleo and the basic foods, the scared of the dark patch, the different stages each Pleo goes through and of course the all important walking issue you asked about. I have five Pleo RB, one is over a year old but has been used very very very little and still is not walking but it is not the Pleos fault, but myne, she is still a hatchling.. LOL
Some pleos walk a lot based on their active levels, and others are not inclined to walk or explore a lot, but they all do walk. If you want a pleo that will walk a lot, then a Ugobe is what you would want, but they are more independent, they also do not need to be fed, they do not go through ages the same as pleo rb and PleoRb will have a much longer hatching stage. All these questions can be seen and answered by watching videos. I would recommend watching videos. I have seen many people get excited over the idea of getting a Ugobe or a Pleo Rb, and only one person on this forum was a surprise
This person was so so so excited and almost jumped out of her skin the day the delivery man brought her a package with her Pleo.She did ask a lot of questions and saw many videos, but she expected more out of this pleo, wanting it to be more "real" like a real lizard, and after two weeks, she was done with pleo and sold it. This is the only time I have seen this happen, but I have seen people sell their pleos for different reasons, mostly either needing the money or just not having the time or interest like they did at the start.
I am not trying to discourage you, but hoping some videos will help answer some questions. and like they say, a picture or video is worth a thousand words. LOL
Believe me I LoVe pleos, I have 27 of them so pleos are the best in my mind as so lifelike and a perfect pet for the apartment person and would fit your need. Good luck
RWM
and the Pleo township
of the Redwoods