Crested geckos, also known as eyelash geckos, are captivating reptiles that have gained immense popularity as pets. These small lizards are named for the fringe-like crests that run down their bodies. Their docile temperaments, ease of handling, and relatively inexpensive care requirements make them excellent choices for families and first-time lizard owners. However, responsible pet ownership begins with thorough research. Before bringing a crested gecko home, ensure you have all the necessary supplies, including appropriate housing, accessories, and food. With proper care, crested geckos reach adult size within 6-12 months and the average crested gecko lifespan is 15-20 years.
Crested geckos are arboreal, or tree-dwellers, so a tank with vertical space is essential for climbing. A single adult crested gecko needs a tank that’s 20 gallons or larger. Since these lizards love to climb, the height of their enclosure is much more important than floor space. If you’re starting with a baby gecko, select a glass or plastic 10-gallon vertical tank with a screen lid. The screen lid is important for ventilation.
To help maintain humidity, choose a substrate that retains moisture such as coconut fiber bedding, moss, or bark. The bottom of a crested gecko’s habitat should be lined with a substrate that holds moisture well. Coconut fiber, dampened sphagnum moss, recycled paper-based pelleted bedding, and reptile carpet are all suitable choices.
Cresties love to climb and need places to hide and feel safe. Add a variety of plants, branches, vines, and bark for your pet to climb on and hide under. Branches must be large and sturdy enough to support the gecko’s body. Adding non-toxic live and plastic plants to a gecko’s enclosure can help increase the habitat’s humidity level and create hiding spots in the enclosure. Live plants are best because they will help regulate humidity inside the terrarium, but artificial plants will do. Crested geckos should have access to at least two hiding areas in their habitat, one in the cool end of their enclosure and one in the warm end.
Crested geckos come from warm subtropical climates. Daytime temperature should be kept around 75-80° F, and night temperature should be between 68-75° F. Crested geckos need a thermal gradient in their enclosure so they can warm up and cool down as needed. Check the temperatures of your gecko’s habitat daily. Two thermometers-one in the warm area and one in the cool area-should be placed in the enclosure so that both zones can be checked at once. If needed, radiant heat with a low wattage heat source is recommended. An incandescent light or ceramic heat emitter should be used to create a basking area in the gecko’s habitat. Make sure that heat bulbs are not placed too close to the top of a crested gecko’s tank. White incandescent lights should not be left on continuously, as they will disrupt the gecko’s natural sleep cycle and negatively affect its overall health.
Read also: Comprehensive Guide: Eyelash Primers for Sensitive Eyes
Cresties are nocturnal, so they do not need special UV lighting. Reptiles need daily exposure to UVB rays so they can produce vitamin D in their skin, which in turn allows them to absorb dietary calcium.
Crested geckos thrive when the humidity is between 50% and 70%. Crested geckos hail from a tropical island and need humidity in their environment to support their respiratory systems, encourage healthy shed cycles, and stay hydrated. The ideal humidity range for a crested gecko’s habitat is 70 to 80%. To maintain humidity, mist the terrarium once or twice per day with a spray bottle of water or place a cool mist humidifier nearby. A humid hide (a hideout box packed with moistened sphagnum moss or paper towels) should also be provided to boost humidity and encourage healthy shedding.
Crested geckos are omnivores; their diet consists of insects and fruits. A commercial powdered diet is usually well accepted and is the easiest way to ensure a well-balanced, nutritious diet. Crested geckos should be given a nutritionally complete powdered food, formulated specifically for crested geckos every day. Baby foods should not have any added sugar or preservatives. We recommend supplementing a commercial diet with live crickets (or other prey insects) 1-2 times a week. Insects should be “gut-loaded” with a high-quality diet for at least 24 hours prior to being offered. Before being fed to a gecko, live insects must be gut-loaded with a nutrient-dense insect supplement to improve their nutritional value. Dust your gecko’s insects with a calcium supplement with vitamin D before each feeding session. To dust insects, place them in a bag or disposable plastic container along with a powdered supplement. Fresh, clean water should always be available and replaced daily. Pet parents should watch their geckos during feeding sessions to ensure that no insect goes uneaten.
Newly purchased crested geckos should not be handled for the first 2-3 weeks to let them adjust to their new environment. Affectionately known as “cresties,” crested geckos are popular family pets due to their calm and friendly personalities. With regular handling, crested geckos are usually very interested in being held. They have fairly docile temperaments and seldom bite, though they can be a bit skittish and care is required when handling. They’re curious by nature and enjoy hanging out with their pet parents, especially if food is involved. Like frogs, crested geckos are powerful jumpers! Crested geckos can be handled gently, but rough handling, especially by their tails, can cause their tails to break off. Unlike several other reptiles, their tails will not grow back if dropped. Cresties have specialized toe pads that allow them to effortlessly move along vertical surfaces.
You can keep one male and several female crested geckos together. In large habitats, a single male crested gecko can be housed alongside females of the same species, but they may breed. Males may fight, particularly when in the company of females, and should not be kept together.
Read also: Tinting at Home with Roux
Crested geckos shed their skin in one piece while they grow. To aid in shedding, geckos should have access to a humid hide filled with moistened sphagnum moss or substrate. Crested geckos will eat their shed skin to regain some of its nutrients.
Spot-clean your gecko's habitat daily, removing any soiled material and discarded food. A crested gecko’s habitat must also be disinfected and cleaned thoroughly at least once a week (or more often if two or more geckos live in the same habitat). Move the gecko to a secure environment. Scrub the empty tank and any furnishings with a reptile habitat cleaner or 3% bleach solution. The bleach solution should stay on the habitat for at least 10 minutes to ensure that the surfaces are properly disinfected.
All reptiles are potential carriers of infectious diseases including Salmonella bacteria, which is zoonotic (transmittable to people). Crested geckos should be seen by a veterinarian once a year.
Affectionately known as “cresties,” crested geckos are popular family pets due to their calm and friendly personalities.
With regular handling, crested geckos are usually very interested in being held. They’re curious by nature and enjoy hanging out with their pet parents, especially if food is involved.
Read also: Perfect Lash Look
Daily maintenance for crested geckos is very easy, though it’s worth noting that you’ll need to do some research to make sure you’re providing them the best care.
Standard crested geckos are generally about $50-75 but rarer varieties can cost over $1,000!
Crested geckos lick you to smell you! They use their tongues to “catch” odors to better assess. Your personal gecko will likely identify you by licking you or to search for food.
tags: #crested #eyelash #gecko #care #guide
