Crested Gecko Care Sheet
Gecko Care Sheet
Crested Geckos (Correlophus (Rhacodactylus) ciliatus)
•Life Span and Size
-Crested geckos can live to and astonishing 15-20 years! Your gecko will grow to 4 - 4.5in snout-to-vent, and 8in in total length. Male Crested geckos are sexually mature when 15 to 18 months of age, and at a weight of approximately 35 grams. Females sexually mature at 18 to 24 months of age and should be supplied a lay box in the event that they lay eggs. Although uncommon female crested geckos have been known to reproduce by parthenogenesis (this means their eggs require no sperm activation or fertilization). Not providing a proper lay box can lead to egg binding which is a life threatening phenomenon and should be taken to a vet immediately is suspected.
•Crested Gecko Food
Crested geckos eat rotten fruits, insects, and flower pollen in the wild. In captivity geckos will eat a diet replacement powder from Repashy or Pangea. The diet is mixed with two parts water and offered in shallow dishes three times a week as much as these geckos will eat at a feeding. The diet should be allowed to remain in the enclosure for 24 to 36 hours before removal. Crested geckos can also be offered some fresh fruits and should be offered calcium dusted crickets weekly.
•Housing
-Baby crested geckos should be housed in a 10 gallon terrarium with a screen lid.
Adult crested geckos should be housed in a minimum 20 gallon terrarium. Crested geckos are arboreal by nature so it is best to provide plenty of hanging plants for cover and vines or sticks for climbing. Only use sterile husbandry. Never use materials from your yard.
•Lighting and Temperature
-Crested geckos do not require lighting, however it is beneficial to provide a low wattage UVB light for day usage. Geckos require temps of 78°F to 82°F during the day, and a drop to the low 70s at night. They should not exceed 86°F. Crested geckos will tolerate temps in the 60s in the winter but should be kept at no lower than 65°F.
•Handling and Temperament
-Your gecko should be allowed to settle in for three to four weeks to let them adjust to their new environment. When you begin handling your gecko, you should make handling sessions short, no more than five minutes. Baby geckos are more jumpy but will mellow out with age. Repetition and food association will condition your gecko to being handled by you.
•Tail Dropping
-Crested geckos can drop their tails if they feel threatened and do not grow back. Although this doesn’t harm the gecko it is advised to leave the animal alone if it begins to flee in panic. Continuing to peruse the gecko will usually result in a tail drop. In the event that your gecko drops it’s tail, place the gecko back in its enclosure and monitor it for one to two weeks without handling to be sure infection does not take place. In the event that it does seek out your nearest exotic vet.
•Water and Humidity
-Crested geckos prefer to lick water off of the side of their enclosure when misted, however it is advised to provide a water dish and fresh water daily. Crested geckos prefer humidity between 60-70% and should be misted daily. Humidity levels of 80%+ can cause respiratory infections.
Crested Geckos (Correlophus (Rhacodactylus) ciliatus)
•Life Span and Size
-Crested geckos can live to and astonishing 15-20 years! Your gecko will grow to 4 - 4.5in snout-to-vent, and 8in in total length. Male Crested geckos are sexually mature when 15 to 18 months of age, and at a weight of approximately 35 grams. Females sexually mature at 18 to 24 months of age and should be supplied a lay box in the event that they lay eggs. Although uncommon female crested geckos have been known to reproduce by parthenogenesis (this means their eggs require no sperm activation or fertilization). Not providing a proper lay box can lead to egg binding which is a life threatening phenomenon and should be taken to a vet immediately is suspected.
•Crested Gecko Food
Crested geckos eat rotten fruits, insects, and flower pollen in the wild. In captivity geckos will eat a diet replacement powder from Repashy or Pangea. The diet is mixed with two parts water and offered in shallow dishes three times a week as much as these geckos will eat at a feeding. The diet should be allowed to remain in the enclosure for 24 to 36 hours before removal. Crested geckos can also be offered some fresh fruits and should be offered calcium dusted crickets weekly.
•Housing
-Baby crested geckos should be housed in a 10 gallon terrarium with a screen lid.
Adult crested geckos should be housed in a minimum 20 gallon terrarium. Crested geckos are arboreal by nature so it is best to provide plenty of hanging plants for cover and vines or sticks for climbing. Only use sterile husbandry. Never use materials from your yard.
•Lighting and Temperature
-Crested geckos do not require lighting, however it is beneficial to provide a low wattage UVB light for day usage. Geckos require temps of 78°F to 82°F during the day, and a drop to the low 70s at night. They should not exceed 86°F. Crested geckos will tolerate temps in the 60s in the winter but should be kept at no lower than 65°F.
•Handling and Temperament
-Your gecko should be allowed to settle in for three to four weeks to let them adjust to their new environment. When you begin handling your gecko, you should make handling sessions short, no more than five minutes. Baby geckos are more jumpy but will mellow out with age. Repetition and food association will condition your gecko to being handled by you.
•Tail Dropping
-Crested geckos can drop their tails if they feel threatened and do not grow back. Although this doesn’t harm the gecko it is advised to leave the animal alone if it begins to flee in panic. Continuing to peruse the gecko will usually result in a tail drop. In the event that your gecko drops it’s tail, place the gecko back in its enclosure and monitor it for one to two weeks without handling to be sure infection does not take place. In the event that it does seek out your nearest exotic vet.
•Water and Humidity
-Crested geckos prefer to lick water off of the side of their enclosure when misted, however it is advised to provide a water dish and fresh water daily. Crested geckos prefer humidity between 60-70% and should be misted daily. Humidity levels of 80%+ can cause respiratory infections.