Crested Gecko Care

Scientific Name:  Correlophus ciliatus

Origin:  New Caledonia 

Lifespan: 15-20 years

Size: 6-8 inches, 40-65 grams avg. 

Care Level: Easy

Housing: Babies can be kept in a critter keeper size enclosure until about 8-10 grams. Once big enough, they can be moved into a 12 x 12 x 18 exo terra size enclosure where it can live out the rest of its life. A 12 x 12 x 18 is the perfect size enclosure for one adult crested gecko. Being arboreal, they prefer vertical space over horizontal. They are climbers! Provide them with branches, leaves, artificial or live plants, etc. The more places to climb, hide, and explore, the better! I advise not to keep babies/juveniles together as they may fight or become territorial. NEVER keep two males together as fighting is inevitable. Females may be kept together as long as the space is provided. For substrate, I use paper towel as it holds humidity and is easy to clean. If paper towel is used, swap it out every 2-3 days. Other substrates you can use are coco fiber, forest floor, and anything that holds humidity. I always recommend paper towel as it is the safest, cleanest and easiest substrate. 

Humidity/Water: Crested Geckos need humidity. Originating from New Caledonia, the humidity percentage there is 50-70%. The easiest way to provide a humid enclosure is to spray/mist the cage down every morning and night with a simple water sprayer. You want the cage moist, not soaked. Crested geckos will use the water droplets on the glass, leaves, etc. in the cage as their source of water. A water bowl may be provided, but if misted correctly, it is not necessary.

Diet: Crested Geckos can be fed Pangea and Rapashy’s crested gecko formulas. It is a powder based diet that you mix with water to create a watery ketchup consistency that the geckos will eat. There are many flavors you can use. Crested geckos can be kept solely on this diet, but providing them with some sort of protein like crickets or mealworms occasionally is beneficial. 

Sexing: Crested Geckos aren’t able to be sexed by the human eye until about 15+ grams. Only until they show a visible bulge or not can you tell the sex of a crested gecko easily. Males will have a very large bulge under the base of their tails once mature, and females will have a small or no bulge. I cannot guarantee the sex of a baby crested gecko when sold.