Care Information

Habitat                                                    

Crested geckos are arboreal and should be kept in a vertically oriented cage. Offer plenty of climbing choices and cover. Live or plastic plants can be used in the enclosure to provide hiding places. Make sure to do research on which live plants are safe and nontoxic. All plants must be free of pesticides or other chemicals, and should be rinsed prior to adding to the enclosure.

 

Young crested geckos should be kept in a 5 gallon enclosure to ensure they can find their food. Adult geckos should be kept in a minimum of 10 gallon enclosure, such as a 12x12x18 tank. It is not recommended that crested geckos be housed together, especially males.

 

Heating/Lighting                                    

Daytime Terrarium Temperature: 78-82°F

Nighttime Temperature: 68-73°F

Crested Geckos come from a mild climate and are sensitive to excessive heat. It is crucial to make sure that temperatures do not exceed 90°F. Always use a thermometer to monitor enclosure temperatures – Don’t guess!

 

Although Crested Geckos are nocturnal and do not require much direct exposure to sunlight, there is growing evidence that exposure to low levels of UV light is beneficial to their overall health and encourages natural behaviors.

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Substrate                                                  

We strongly recommend that for the first two weeks of receiving your gecko(s), you use paper towels as a substrate to easily monitor if the gecko is pooping. This will let you know if the gecko is eating. Baby geckos not be kept on any type of loose substrate and will need to remain on paper towels until they reach juvenile size. Coco fiber can be used as a substrate in terrariums for juvenile and adults. Provide a nest box with at least 2 1/2 inches of substrate in all enclosures that house adult females. New Zealand Sphagnum Moss can be added as a substrate topper to hold additional moisture if needed.

 

Diet                                                                                                              

The main part of a crested geckos diet is fruit-based. There are many dried crested gecko diets (CGD) that provide all the necessary nutrients - Pangea, Vital Meal and Repashy are good brands that provide a wide variety of flavors. Some crested geckos will take the occasional soft-bodied insects (coated with repti-calcium) and can be fed insects no more than 2 times a week. Feed babies CGD 2-3 days and adults every other day. Please follow the directions on the bag of the CGD to prepare the diet properly. NEVER feed the gecko dry CGD.

 

Water                                                                                                                       .

Provide a clean water dish with shallow fresh water at all times. Always add water conditioner to remove Chlorine and Chloramines. Crested Geckos prefer to drink or lap water from leaves. Terrariums should be kept at moderate to high relative humidity (50% – 70% RH). Use a Hygrometer to monitor relative humidity within the enclosure. Spray or mist your terrarium towards the evening every day to help maintain humidity. Allow time for a dry-down period during the day to prevent fungal and bacterial growth.

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Handling                                                       

Please wait at least one week before handling your new gecko(s). With consistent handling, these geckos can be tamed and safely handled. They do not bite often and are overall peaceful. Handle no more than 15 minutes a day and hold them close to the floor to avoid injuries. Do not squeeze them, instead, allow them to walk along your hands by placing them one after the other. There are plenty of videos on how to properly hold a crested gecko.

 

We are always available to answer all questions or concerns!