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Crested geckos are one of the more popular pet reptiles one can find in the market today. This type of gecko is a more hardy species, which makes it a great pet for someone who has not kept reptiles before. Like with other animals, Crested Geckos each have their own personality making each of them unique. This is a basic care guide for someone who is interested in getting or have recently gotten a Crested Gecko as a pet.
What do Crested Geckos Eat?
Crested Gecko diet is very simple. Most of their diet today consists of commercially available diet mixes. The three main diets that we feed our geckos is Pangea, Repashy, and Lugarti. We like to rotate out the diets we feed our geckos so they are more adjusted to a variety of diet flavors. To prepare these diets you should take a 2.5: 1 ratio of water to food and mix until you have a smoothie texture. This diet can be prepared and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, making feeding multiple geckos a breeze. Another essential part of a Crested Geckos diet is insects. Once a week your gecko should be offered calcium dusted insects. This keeps your gecko healthy and is also a way to get them the calcium they need.
Crested Gecko Enclosures
The age of a Crested Gecko can determine how large of an enclosure it will need to be placed in. Bigger is not always better with this species as sometimes if the enclosure is too large they will not eat their food and lose weight quickly. If you have a bioactive enclosure you should also note that your gecko will eat part of your clean up crew. This is not a maybe, they will see the isopods moving and eat them.
Babies: For baby Crested Geckos we keep them in the small 6 qt plastic bins. This setup is what we use from the time the baby geckos hatch until they reach about 15g in weight. Each of these bins has various climbing spaces and perches as well as a few faux flowers or leaves to hide in. In the bottom of these bins we use paper towels as this allows for the gecko's bowl movements to be monitored while they are still young.
Juveniles: Juvenile Crested Geckos range in weight from about 15g to 30g. Once a Crested Gecko reaches what we consider juvenile weight we move them up in enclosure size. For our personal we place them in a 20qt storage bin with a vent, like a taller version of the baby bins. For a few weeks we keep with the paper towel on the bottom but once we are confident the gecko is eating and continuing to grow we will switch out the paper towel for true bioactive substrate. Do be cautious during this time as some geckos might try to eat some of the substrate, but the majority of them will not. If by chance your gecko is one of the ones who tries to eat the substrate switch back to the paper towels for a few more weeks before trying again with the substrate.
Another option for juvenile Crested Geckos is to house them in a 10 gallon or equivalent terrarium. This would be recommended for a gecko who is a bit on the larger side as this can be a lot of room for a smaller gecko. You will want to make sure that there are multiple feeding stations for a while in this size enclosure and lots of places where your gecko can feel safe and hide.
Adults: Adult Crested geckos typically weight at least 30g and will continue to grow up to 60g. Adult Crested Geckos should be kept in a large enclosure that gies them ample space to climb, hide, and explore their environment. The minimum required size enclosure for an adult Crested Gecko is 18x18x24. Bigger enclosures can be used but there are some geckos who do not do well in larger enclosures so keep that in mind. Adult crested geckos need an enclosure with a secure latch on it as they can throw their weight on an unsecure door and escape, they do not plan this. For our adult geckos we keep them in the 18x18x24 enclosures from Dubia.com.
Does your Crested Gecko Need Lighting?
Crested Geckos do not need lighting officially. There are some benefits to providing UVB to your gecko though.
What Temperature and Humidity do Crested Geckos Need?
It is important to keep your gecko at the proper temperature and Humidity as these are a semi tropical species.
The Temperature Range for Crested Geckos is: 72-80 degrees F. Your Crested Gecko should not be exposed to temperatures below 65 degrees or above 85 degrees for an extended amount of time as this is an unsafe range for them.
The Humidity Range for Crested Geckos is: 60-80%. This is a range and should not be kept at 80% all the time. There should be a dry out period at least once a day. It is best to mist your gecko at least once to twice a day; we mist ours in the evening.
Frequently Asked Questions About Crested Geckos
Can Crested Geckos Regrow their Tails?
A: No, Crested Geckos cannot regrow their tails. Once they drop their tail the area will heal. Sometimes a gecko without a tail is called a 'Frog butt'
How do I tell if my Crested Gecko is a male or female?
A: Young geckos can be difficult to sex. Once a gecko reaches about 20g the sex can be determined. A male crested gecko will develop a bulge near his vent that houses his reproductive organs while a female will not develop this.
Does my Crested Gecko need a water dish?
A: Maybe. Some Crested Geckos will use a water dish while others will not. It is best to provide one to them anyway. Most geckos will get the moisture they need through the daily mistings.
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