Crested Gecko Care Guide

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📄 View the Illustrated Care Guide
Care guide image with feeding, habitat, and humidity tips

1. Basic Info

  • Name: Crested Gecko (Correlophus ciliatus)
  • Origin: New Caledonia
  • Lifespan: 15-20 years with proper care
  • Adult Size: 8-10 inches (including tail)
  • Weight: 50-80g as adults
  • Activity Pattern: Nocturnal
  • Habitat Classification: Arboreal

2. Habitat

  • Minimum Size:
    - Baby: 8x8x12''
    - Juvenile: 12x12x18''
    - Adults: 18x18x24''
  • Enclosure Type:
    - Vertical Glass Terrarium
    - Screen top for ventilation
  • Substrate:
    - Coconut Fiber
    - DIY Bioactive Mix: 60% organic topsoil, 40% coco fiber
  • Furnishing:
    - Climbing branches, cork bark, bamboo, vines
    - A lot of live or fake plants
    - Elevated hide(s)
  • Food/Water:
    - Elevated feeding ledge for food/water cups
  • Other:
    - Make sure the enclosure allows for proper airflow while still maintaining high humidity levels

3. Temperature & Humidity

  • Day: 72-78°F (22-25°C)
  • Night: 65-72°F (18-22°C)
  • Aim for 60-80% humidity, but let it rise and fall throughout the day like it would in nature
  • Hygrometer and Thermometer are helpful

4. Lighting

  • 12 Hours light/dark cycle recommended
  • UVB light (2-7%) is recommended but not mandatory
  • Make sure there's enough shaded area for them to hide

5. Cleaning

  • Spot clean bi-weekly
  • Full clean every 2-4 weeks
  • Use reptile safe cleaner

6. Diet

  • Meal Replacement Powder: 3-4x per weeks (also called Complete Gecko Diet)
    Pangea, Repashy and Zoomed are all recommended
  • Small gut-loaded live insect: 1x per week
    (cricket, mealworms, roaches, etc)
  • Dust the insects in calcium+D3 powder and multivitamin before feeding
  • Fresh water available at all time

7. Handling Tips

In the beginning:

  • Let them come to you, avoid grabbing
  • Hold over low surface in case they jump
  • Limit handling to a few minutes at a time

8. Temperament

  • They're generally calm and curious, making them a great beginner reptile
  • They prefer living alone. Keeping more in the same enclosure can lead to stress or fighting
  • They can show signs of stress through body language like tail waving, hiding or squeaking

9. Quirks & Traits

  • They lack eyelids, so they lick their eyes to keep them clean and moist
  • Their toe pads allow them to climb glass and smooth surfaces effortlessly
  • They can drop their tail as a defense mechanism then they feel threatened
    - Unlike some lizards, their tail doesn't grow back

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