(Correlophus Ciliatus)
Lifespan: 20-30 years
Diet: Omnivore
Temperament: Docile
Experience level: Intermediate
Crested geckos are friendly, easy to handle, and inexpensive to care for, making them great pets for families and first-time lizard owners. These small lizards come from New Caledonia, an island country near Australia. They get their name from the eyelash-like ridges above their eyes and come in a variety of colors! These cute little geckos have become popular due to their docile demeanor and their derpy smile. Crested geckos are primarily nocturnal but at times they can be crepuscular meaning they can be active during twilight hours. Before you get a crested gecko, there’s some things you need to know!
Enclosure
Crested geckos are arboreal, meaning they like to climb so you will need an enclosure that can meet their needs. The recommended minimum size enclosure for an adult crested gecko is 18x18x36 but bigger is always better! Of course, when they are babies, you will need a smaller enclosure but remember they will eventually outgrow their baby tanks.
Can you keep crested geckos together?
Though some may say it is safe to keep two together we do not recommend having two crested geckos in the same enclosure. They are naturally solitary animals, and cohabitation can lead to stress, injuries, and death.
Lighting
UVB/UVA:
Crested geckos are crepuscular, so they are not exposed to UVB a lot but doesn’t mean they won’t benefit from it! All animals on earth need the sun and since these guys are pets it’s up to us to mimic their needs. So, a small UVB light will do your crestie some good.
How to measure UVI (strength of the UVB)
The best way to measure UVI (UV index) in enclosure is with a Solarmeter 6.5 or equivalent. You will point it at the light, and it should read 0-0.7 with everywhere else being lower. Crested geckos need low UVB so the best for these guys would be a linear T8 or T5 bar light. Remember UVB can not go through glass or plastic! Make sure that the light is through a screen or mesh for best results.
Heating
Crested geckos are known for living their best at room temperature which can be true depending on the temperature of your home. Cresties like their warm areas between 82-85 degrees with their cool areas between 75-70 degrees with nighttime temps anywhere from 72-65 degrees. A low wattage heat bulb will suffice, and you can measure their basking spot with an infrared thermometer reader and a hydrometer to keep an eye on their overall temperature. Make sure that their enclosure does not go over 90 degrees as this temperature can make them stress!
Humidity
Crested geckos thrive in moderate to high humidity, ideally between 60%-80%. You can maintain these humidity levels by misting regularly or you can use a humidifier. Plants and substrate help in keeping it humid, but you want to make sure that in between misting that there is a time the enclosure can dry a bit to prevent mold from forming. Having a hydrometer can help keep track of your crestie’s humidity levels. Improper humidity levels can lead to poor sheds and other various illnesses in your crested gecko.
Substrate
For crested geckos a humidity retentive, soil-based substrate that can match their natural tropical habitat is ideal. Organic topsoil, play sand, and other materials like sphagnum moss, coco chip, or horticultural charcoal mixed in can provide proper humidity retention and promote good drainage. Of course, you can get many of these substrates from your local garden store but remember to always sanitize your substrates before introducing your pet to it. These items sold at garden stores are not designed to be for your pet so taking extra precautions is crucial. If you want to be safe you can buy premade substrate designed for your crestie like a mix of Zoo Med reptisoil, Zoo Med eco earth, and Zoo Med sphagnum moss.
Can Crested Geckos be in a bioactive enclosure?
ABSOLUTELY! Cresties thrive best when the enclosure is bioactive, and we cannot think of any better. Unless your crestie is in a hospital enclosure we do not believe they should be in anything other than bioactive.
Of course, you can always go half and half with the enclosure as well. Waiting for the tank to become bioactive before introducing your crestie takes time and sometimes that can be months for it to become fully established and the plants to take root. You can always opt for fake plants to provide enrichment instead with the substrate still present.
Can I use mulch and other types of topsoil or potting soil?
NO! commercial mulch and non-organic topsoil can have harmful dyes and fertilizers that can harm your crestie! You should never, never, never use commercial mulch or non-organic topsoil/ potting soil for your pets. This can lead to blisters, infections, and ultimately death in your pet.
Décor
Crested geckos love to climb and explore! Giving them plenty of things to jump from and hide will keep your gecko entertained and fit. There are many items out there you can include in your crested gecko’s enclosure from different types of wood like spider wood and driftwood with many branches to climb on. Hollowed out coconuts seem to be the favorite in these parts and vines that allow them to swing from. Providing hides that are intended for geckos like cresties are ideal.
Here are a few items we recommend for your crested gecko.
· Reptology reptile hanging vine
· Zoo Med natural flora Australian maple terrarium plan
· Exo Terra bendable moss vine
· Flukers bend-a-branch terrarium decoration
· Zoo Med spider wood
· Zoo Med natural cork rounds
· Hanging coconut hide
· 3D printed hides meant for arboreal animals
Live plant options
If you decide to go for live plants in your crested gecko’s enclosure here are a few options that are safe for them.
· Pothos
· Dracaena “janet craig”
· Bromeliads
· Snake plants
· Ferns (like bird’s-nest and maidenhair)
· Aglaonema
· Monstera
· Fittonia
Food
Crested Geckos are omnivores which means they need a balanced diet of commercially prepared crested gecko food (like Repashy or Pangea) every 2-3 days. They will also need a variety of insects in their diet as well. Having crickets all the time can be boring, and crickets aren’t always a healthy option. Though as cresties age their diet needs do as well! Here is a quick guide to help.
Hatchlings (0-6 months)
CGD (commercial gecko diet): offer daily
Insects: offer live 1-2 times per week
Juveniles (6-18 months)
CGD: offer daily or every other day
Insects: offer insects 1-2 times per week
Adults (18 months and older)
CGD: offer every 2-3 days
Insects: offer 1-2 times per week
There are plenty of different flavors of commercial gecko diets so it will be up to you to see which one your crestie will like the most! As for live insects you don’t want to give just crickets, here are some other alternatives you can try!
· Crickets
· Dubia roaches
· Silkworms
· Black soldier fly larvae
· Small horn worms
· Mealworms and waxworms can also be offered as treats but in moderation
Can I feed insects from outside to my pet?
Never feed wild insects to your pets! Insects from outside are exposed to pathogens that could be harmful. You should always get food from a recognized pet store or breed the insects yourself.
Water
Crested geckos don’t really drink from a water bowl but rather drink the droplets left behind after misting. Make sure your gecko gets enough moisture to keep them hydrated! You can always provide a water bowl with daily cleanings in case they need an extra sip. When giving water always make sure to dechlorinate it if it comes from the tap. Chlorine and other chemicals safe for human consumption are not always true for other animals. You can always opt to get bottled water or, best, spring water for your pets.
Vitamins
Providing vitamins to your crested gecko is always recommended. Everyone can benefit from a vitamin a day including your pet. When giving your crestie vitamins you dust them with their insects once or twice a week. The best vitamin we use to date is Repashy calcium plus.
Health
Crested geckos are normally healthy pets with little to any known diseases or parasites. With a balanced diet, a suitable environment, and regular veterinary check-ups, your gecko can live a long time. A healthy gecko has good appetite, active behavior, reasonable fat reserves, and clear eyes and skin without lumps or bumps.
Some of the common health issues seen in cresties are
· Mouth rot or stomatitis
· Respiratory infections
· Skin issues
· Parasites (nematodes, coccidia, and mites)
· MBD (metabolic bone disease)
These issues can be preventable with proper hygiene and husbandry. Always take your crestie to the vet if they have these symptoms.
· Lethargic
· Strange behavior
· Loss of appetite
· Weight loss
· Anemia
· Lumps or bumps
· Vomiting or Diarrhea
Cats and dogs are not the only animals that can benefit from a yearly vet visit. Your crestie can too!
Last note
Always wash your hands before and after handling your pet to help prevent the spread of diseases and parasites. Zoonotic diseases like salmonella can be passed on from reptiles to humans.
Always clean up after your pet. A clean pet is a happy pet. Always practice proper hygiene!