Crested Gecko Care Guide

Get to Know Your Crested Gecko

Basic Information

Common Name

Crested Gecko

Scientific Name

Rhacodactylus ciliatus

Distribution

New Caledonia

Size

5-9"

Life span

15-20 Years

Checklist for Your Crested Gecko

Tank with screen cover or specified enclosure

Lighting

Heat Lamps

Food

Calcium

Substrate/Bedding

Shallow water bowl

Thermometer

Hygrometer

Water Conditioner

Moss/Plants

Climbing options

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Feeding Your Crested Gecko

Crested geckos eat live insects and non-citrus foods.
Commercial Crested Gecko food is best. Offer in a small dish every other day and remove uneaten food after 24 hours.
Offer crickets and mealworms no wider than the gecko’s head once or twice a week.
Feed the gecko off the ground, naturally they feed in the canopy of trees to avoid predators.
Always remove uneaten food.
Fresh water must be always provided. Use a water conditioner to remove chorines and chloramines.

Crested Gecko Habitat

Baby Crested Gecko’s can be housed in 5 to 10-gallon enclosures with a secure screen cover.
Adults must be housed in 20 gallon or larger. An 18x18x18 enclosure works best as height is more important than length.
One gecko per cage is recommended. Sometimes females will do well together however two males will fight.
Offer plenty of climbing options and cover. Plants real or fake (pesticide free).
Hatchlings will do best on cage carpet, recycled paper, and flat stones.
Forest floor, Moss, Eco Earth are great substrates that help with humidity
Avoid sand and mulch.

Lighting and Temperature

Daytime Terrarium Temperature: 72-78° F
Basking Spot: 85° F
Nighttime Temperature: 60°F
Geckos do not require UVB however low level UVB lighting is recommended to prevent metabolic bone disease and is beneficial for overall health, encouraging natural behaviors.
Monitor the temperature by having a thermometer.
Humidity in the tank should be 60-70% and with misting spikes of 80-90%.

Handling Your Crested Gecko

Do not grab the gecko by the tail, it will not grow back. When removing them from the cage, let them climb on you.
Crested geckos do not have eyelids so they will lick their eyes to keep them clean and moist.
They are primarily nocturnal and will hide most of the day.
Crested Geckos make great display animals and are relatively easy to handle.