Crested geckos are a species of gecko found in New Caledonia and some smaller surrounding islands. They are the second largest species of gecko, after the giant day gecko. They are predominantly herbivorous, eating fruit, flowers, and leaves.
If you’re looking for tips on how to care for a crested gecko, you might also find this guide on how to care for a yellow headed day gecko helpful.
How to Care for a Crested Gecko?
Crested geckos make popular pets because they are relatively easy to care for and they tolerate a wide range of conditions. Here are some tips on how to care for a crested gecko:
- Make sure your crested gecko has a clean, moist environment with plenty of branches and leaves to climb on.
- Feed your crested gecko a diet of fruit, flowers, and leaves.
- Be sure to give your crested gecko plenty of water to drink.
While caring for a crested gecko, it’s important to also consider the needs of other reptiles, such as a nano chameleon, which you can learn more about in this helpful guide on how to care for a nano chameleon.
What Does a Crested Gecko Look Like?
Crested geckos are unique in their appearance. They have large, expressive eyes, tall crests on the back of their heads and necks, and wrinkly skin. Their bodies can be a range of colors including pink, brown, yellow, green, or white, and may also feature stripes or spots. The underside of their tails is usually white or cream-colored. The color of a crested gecko’s eyes can range from yellow to orange, red, and brown.
Crested Gecko Size
Crested geckos typically reach 4-6 inches in length from head to tail and can weigh up to 35 grams. They have a slender body shape, with large eyes and a prominent crest on the back of their heads and necks.
How to Identify Crested Geckos?
Crested geckos are relatively easy to identify. They have a row of spines along their backs and heads, with distinctive crests that run from the tip of the snout down to the base of the tail.
As far as size goes, cresties usually measure 4-6 inches long (including their tails). They are relatively small compared to other gecko species, making them easy to handle and ideal for petting.
While caring for a crested gecko, it’s important to provide them with a suitable habitat and diet. For more information on caring for geckos, check out this helpful guide on how to care for a viper gecko.
How Long Does a Crested Gecko Live?
Crested geckos can live up to 20 years with proper care. These lizards are very hardy and adaptable, making them great pets for beginner reptile owners. In general, they need high humidity (50-70%), regular cleaning, and an appropriate diet to stay healthy.
Crested Gecko Lifespan
The lifespan of a crested gecko can vary depending on the quality of its care. With proper husbandry and nutrition, they can live up to 20 years in captivity. They require high humidity (50-70%), regular cleaning, and an appropriate diet to stay healthy. Proper nutrition is key for these lizards to reach their full potential in terms of lifespan.
How Do Crested Gecko Reproduce?
Crested geckos reproduce by laying eggs. The females will usually lay 2-4 eggs at a time, and they will hatch in about 60 days. The eggs should be kept in a warm, moist environment until they hatch. Crested gecko parents will often take care of their young, but if you’re not going to breed them, it’s best to remove the eggs from the enclosure to avoid any problems or fatalities.
If you are interested in breeding cresties, it’s important to make sure that both the male and female are healthy and mature (at least 6 months old). You’ll also need to provide them with a proper nesting area, such as a small box or container filled with moist moss or vermiculite. Lastly, make sure that the enclosure is large enough for the mother to escape from her young if needed (this is especially important if you’re keeping more than one clutch of eggs in the same enclosure).
Life Cycle of Crested Gecko
The life cycle of a crested gecko starts with eggs that are laid by the female. The eggs usually take around 60 days to hatch, and when they do, the babies will be about 1 inch in length. They will reach full maturity between 9-12 months and can live up to 20 years if given proper care.
As the crested gecko grows, it can shed its skin up to three times a year. This is crucial for their health and growth as it allows them to remove parasites, bacteria, and other toxins from their bodies. During these shedding periods, they may become more reclusive and less active than usual.
Crested Gecko’s Temperament
Crested geckos are gentle, docile lizards that make great pets for both experienced and beginner reptile owners. They have a tame disposition, which makes them easy to handle and care for. Their temperament is generally calm and laid-back, so they tend to be good with children as long as they are handled carefully.
Can I Keep a Crested Gecko as a Pet?
Yes, you can keep a crested gecko as a pet. They are hardy and adaptable lizards that make great first-time reptile pets. They require high humidity (50-70%), regular cleaning, and an appropriate diet to stay healthy. With proper husbandry and nutrition, they can live up to 20 years in captivity.
How to Feed a Crested Gecko?
Crested geckos should be fed a varied diet that includes both live insects and commercial crested gecko diets. Live insects can provide essential protein and calcium, while the crested gecko diets offer vitamin and mineral supplements. Fruits and vegetables such as mango, banana, kiwi, bell peppers, and squash can also be offered, as they provide essential vitamins and minerals.
What Does the Crested Gecko Eat?
The crested gecko is an omnivorous species, meaning that it eats both plants and animals. The diet of this species mainly consists of a variety of insects such as crickets, mealworms, wax worms, cockroaches, and locusts.
In addition, live plants can be provided in their enclosure as well. This will give them a natural source of food as well as provide enrichment to their environment. Providing a variety of foods and supplementing with calcium powder will help to keep the crested gecko healthy and happy.
How Often to Feed Crested Gecko?
Crested geckos should be fed every other day, in order to provide them with the proper nutrition and calorie intake they need. Since they are nocturnal, it is best to feed them at night when they are most active. A good rule of thumb is to offer as much food as they can eat in 15 minutes.
The Danger of Crested Gecko
Crested geckos are generally very hardy and easy to care for, however, there are some potential dangers associated with these lizards. One of the main risks is impaction, which occurs when a crested gecko ingests an item that is too large for it to digest.
Is a Crested Gecko Poisonous?
No, crested geckos are not poisonous. They do have mild toxins in their saliva, which is used to help subdue prey items, but these toxins are harmless to humans. If a crested gecko were to bite you, it would be no more painful than the bite of an ant or mosquito.
Can You Die From a Crested Gecko Bite?
No, you cannot die from a crested gecko bite. Although the bite may be painful, it is not dangerous and there are no known cases of people dying from a crested gecko bite. If a crested gecko has bitten you, it is important to wash the area with soap and warm water to help prevent any infection.
Can a Crested Gecko Bite You?
Yes, crested geckos can bite you if they feel threatened or scared. If a crested gecko feels threatened, it may give off warning signs such as hissing and puffing up its body. It is important to respect these warnings and not attempt to touch the gecko unless it is necessary.
Do Crested Gecko Bites Hurt?
Yes, crested gecko bites can be painful. The bite itself is usually not too severe, but the area around the bite may become swollen and red. Additionally, due to the toxins in their saliva, some people report feeling a burning sensation after being bitten by a crested gecko.
The Housing of Crested Gecko
Crested geckos thrive in a terrarium environment that simulates their natural habitat. A terrarium should be at least 20 gallons, with taller sides to provide adequate space for climbing and exploring. The terrarium should also have ventilation holes to allow for air circulation, as well as access points for misting and feeding.
Heating and Lighting for a Crested Gecko
Heating and lighting are important factors to consider when setting up a terrarium for a crested gecko. The terrarium should be kept at a temperature between 75 and 85 degrees, with a basking spot of 90 to 95 degrees. A UVB light is also necessary to help the lizard process calcium. The light should be placed in an area where the gecko can get direct exposure for 8 to 10 hours per day.
What are Common Health Problems of Crested Gecko?
The most common health problems associated with crested geckos are impaction, dehydration, and metabolic bone disease. Impaction occurs when a crested gecko ingests an item that is too large for it to digest, often due to overfeeding or feeding prey items that are too large.
Dehydration can be caused by a lack of proper hydration or humidity levels in the enclosure. Metabolic bone disease is caused by inadequate calcium intake and can cause bones to become soft and brittle, leading to paralysis and even death if not treated properly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, crested geckos are an excellent choice for a pet lizard. These reptiles require minimal care and can live up to 20 years with proper maintenance. The housing requirements, feeding habits, and general care of these reptiles can be easily managed by beginners and experienced reptile keepers alike. With the right environment, diet, and basic care, a crested gecko can make a great companion for many years to come.