Crested geckos are one of the most common reptiles in the trade, and for good reason! Also known as eyelash geckos, they are fascinating little reptiles from the rainforests of New Caledonia. They’re known for being easy to care for and having a calm temperament, making them great pets. Learn how to care for them here!
Habitat & Husbandry
Enclosure: Crested geckos are arboreal reptiles, meaning they like to be high up. You are going to need an enclosure that provides height for climbing opportunities. An 18″x18″x36″ is the bare minimum for an adult crested gecko, but juveniles can be housed in an 18″x18″x24″ temporarily. Make sure to fill this space with branches, vines, and other decor they can climb on!
Substrate: Crested geckos are tropical reptiles, so they need a substrate that will hold humidity. ReptiSoil and Coconut Fiber are both great options. You could even do a mix of the two! I use Josh’s Frogs Tropical BioBedding, which I love.
Temperature: Crested geckos do not need much heat. However, like all reptiles, they should be provided a heat gradient. Since their enclosures are vertical, you can do a warm side up top and a cool side at the bottom. This allows them to move around to regulate their body temperature. Their warm area should be 82-85 degrees (be careful not to exceed this temperature), while their cool side should be 70-75 degrees.
Humidity: Crested geckos thrive in a high humidity environment, with humidity levels ranging from 60-80%. This can be accomplished with daily misting and a substrate that holds humidity well. Using plants can also help accomplish this.
Lighting: Although crested geckos are nocturnal, I still strongly encourage you to provide UVB. A lower strength works best for these guys, such as the ReptiSun T5 5.0. Having lights on for 12 hours a day helps to establish a day/night cycle for these guys.
Feeding & Supplements
Diet: Crested geckos primarily eat a prepared diet, such as Pangea or Repashy. You simply mix this powder with water, and you are good to go!
Feeding Schedule: Juveniles should be fed their prepared diet daily to every other day, while offering insects 1-2 times a week. Adult geckos should be fed their prepared diet 2-3 times a week, with live insects offered once a week. Your gecko may have no interest in bugs and only eat their prepared diet, which is perfectly fine, but I would still recommend offering insects when you can.
Supplements: Prepared diets include the vitamins that your crested gecko needs, but you should dust with calcium when feeding live insects. When using UVB, dust insects without D3.
Health & Maintenance
Cleaning: Spot clean the enclosure daily and do a full substrate change every 3-4 months. This is if you are not setting up your gecko’s enclosure bioactively. You can learn how to set up your enclosure bioactively here!
Health Issues: As with any animal, watch for signs of illness such as lethargy, loss of appetite, or skin abnormalities. Consult a vet experienced with reptiles if needed.
Enrichment & Handling
Hiding Spots: Provide plenty of hiding spots using logs, plants, and hides. They will be more likely to be active if there is clutter and lots of places to hide!
Handling: Crested geckos are super fun to watch when they come out at night. They are very friendly and tolerate handling, so they are a great reptile if you want one you can handle. Keep in mind that they can be jumpy and have the ability to drop their tails at will. They don’t grow them back!
Crested geckos are wonderful beginner-friendly pets, making them ideal for many types of people and lifestyles. With proper care, they can live up to 15-20 years. Do your research and have fun with your new reptile!
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