• Tank – Appropriate size for
the gecko:
Plastic/12x12x18/18x18x24
• Substrate – 6-10 qt
• Digital Thermo-hygrometer
• Feeding ledge and cups
• Crested Gecko diet
• Branches and décor
• Foliage
• Misting BottleCrested Geckos prefer a vertically oriented habitat. Very small babies can be kept in large plastic kritter keeper style enclosures to allow for closer observation. 12x12x18 cages are a great size for young geckos. 18x18x24 or similar is the ideal size for adults.
Coconut or peatmoss-based substrate are good for holding humidity. Jungle Mix, Reptisoil, and Bio Dude Terra Fauna all work well. Moss can be added to keep humidity levels up.
Crested Geckos should be kept room temperature, 70-76 in the terrarium is ideal. Constant temperatures over 80 can be harmful.
Crested Geckos make their home in the rainforests, so they need high levels of humidity, around 70%, with frequent misting to stimulate drinking. They should also have access to clean water in a dish.
Crested geckos prefer an environment around 70% humidity, to maintain this, they should be misted daily. If humidity level is still not proper with daily misting, the screen top of the enclosure can be partially covered, or moss can be added. The soil should not stay constantly wet and should dry some between misting.These geckos feed primarily on fruit and nectar in the wild, along with the occasional insect. In captivity, a powder-based diet has been formulated to meet their nutritional needs. Additional live insects should be feed occasionally.
Young geckos should be fed every 48 hours. Adult animals can be fed 3 times a week. Food should always be removed after 24 hours. Crested Gecko diet should be mixed with filtered water to a barbeque sauce or ketchup consistency. Crested geckos prefer to eat elevated, and a feeding ledge is recommended.
A water dish should always be available to your gecko as they will drink from standing water if needed.Crested Geckos should be given lots of hiding places, a proper tank should be full of branches, and foliage.
Young geckos should be fed every 48 hours. Adult animals can be fed 3 times a week. Food should always be removed after 24 hours. Crested Gecko diet should be mixed with filtered water to a barbeque sauce or ketchup consistency. Crested geckos prefer to eat elevated, and a feeding ledge is recommended.
A water dish should always be available to your gecko as they will drink from standing water if needed.Crested Geckos are generally shy but will tolerate some gentle handling. They are very jumpy when young but with careful handling they calm down with age. They should be supported from underneath, preferably within the enclosure or close to the ground or tabletop with care taken to reduce the risk of them falling. One hand should be held a short distance in front of the gecko to provide a landing pad in case they jump. They do not like to be restrained, and rough handling may cause injuries and for them to drop their tail. It will not regenerate.
Metabolic Bone Disease occurs when the geckos are given insufficient calcium and vitamin D3. Symptoms include deformed limbs, brittle and soft bones, lethargy, and decreased appetite. This is easily prevented by providing the appropriate diet, with insects dusted with a quality calcium supplement.
Dehydration can occur with insufficient humidity and misting.
Crested Gecko
Crested geckos are among the largest gecko species. Among the most distinctive features of these geckos are the hair-like projections found above the eyes, which greatly resemble eyelashes. Crested geckos also have two rows of spines that run from the sides of their wedge-shaped head to the base of their tail. The toes and the tip of the semi-prehensile tail are covered in small hairs called setae. The toes have small claws which aid in climbing surfaces to which their toes cannot cling. Crested geckos have many naturally-occurring color groups, including grey, brown, red, orange, and yellow of various shades. They have three color morphs in the wild, which include pattern-less, white-fringed, and tiger. Crested geckos are popular in the pet trade.
Crested geckos are endemic to South Province, New Caledonia. There are three disjunct populations, one found on the Isle of Pines and surrounding islets, and there are two populations found on the main island of Grande Terre. One population is around the Blue River, which is a protected provincial park, and the other is further north, just south of Mount Dzumac. Crested geckos prefer to live in the canopy of the humid forests, coastal forests, and montane forests.
Size: 6-9 inches
Lifespan: 20-25 years
Diet: Fruits and Insects
Care Level: Beginner
Temperament: Docile
Activity: Nocturnal