| Captive Care & Husbandry of the Crested Gecko (Rhacodactylus ciliatus) |
Related Species
Crested Geckos are also known as "eyelash crested geckos."
Related species include gargoyle geckos (R. auriculatus) which
are slightly less common in the trade than "cresties," and therefore
garner a higher price. Care for the two species is similar.
Vivarium Size & Design
A single crested gecko can be adequately maintained in a 10
gallon aquarium (18" x 10" x 12"), however, being arboreal, they
enjoy height more so than length. A traditional 20 gallon (24" x 12" x
16") or another "tall" tank would be more appropriate. For a pair of
females, a 29 gallon is suggested (30" x 12" x 18").
Provide climbing branches, fake or real greenery (real will require
ample light to grow, but will encourage high humidity) and other
hiding materials. Our crested geckos enjoy the "suction cup
mounted" plants that hang on the back of vivs. ExoTerra markets
some. Plants will catch water drops, which the geckos like to lick.
Temperature
If your homes ambient temperature stays between 70 and 80
degrees Fahrenheit, you will not need supplemental heat for your
crestie. If your home gets colder than this during winter, you can use
a small incandescent bulb or a heat pad to raise the temperatures
back into the acceptable range.
Lighting
The general consensus of the reptile community at this time is that
cresties, being nocturnal, do not require UVA/UVB light, and that it
may even cause damage to their sensitive eyes. If your goal is to
breed your cresties, you will need to utilize a light to maintain a 12
hour photoperiod year round.
Humidity
We mist our cresties vivarium twice per day and provide a fairly
large water dish in order to maintain a moderate level of humidity
for them.
Feeding
Crested geckos make excellent pets for many reasons, including
the simplicity of feeding them. They will thrive on a diet of mixed
fruit baby foods, with some low-fat meat babyfoods (like turkey or
chicken) mixed in, and will only require insects such as crickets
every few weeks. Many breeders believe that Repashy powdered
Crested Gecko diet can provide all the nutritional needs of crested
geckos, negating the need for crickets, but we have not tried this.
Our cresties are fed babyfood or a pureed fruit mixture two to three
times per week. We put powdered vitamins on the fruit mixture.
They also receive calcium-dusted crickets once per week. These
are hunted with relish.
Temperament & Handling
Crested geckos are excellent beginner reptiles. They can be gently
handled if care is taken not to damage or grab their tail. If a tail
breaks off, it will not grow back, but generally the gecko will survive
the event. Cresties can be a bit jumpy, and can leap rather large
distances, so it is usually best to handle them while seated on or
near the floor to prevent injury from falling. Cresties can nip if
irritated, but even the bite of an adult will not generally break human
skin.
Gender & Compatability
Sexually mature males will have a large hemipenal bulge at the
base of their tail. This became obvious at around 5 or 6 months of
age. Females will lack this bulge. In addition, males will have an
obvious line of pores above their vents which can be seen in
smaller animals if a magnifying glass is used.
Crested geckos do not need to be kept with others of the same
kind, however, two or more females will generally not bother each
other, especially if they are raised together and given enough
space. Sexually mature adult males will fight and should not be
housed together. Housing a true pair can and will result in breeding
which may or may not be desired.
Life Span
Crested geckos can live to 15 years if properly cared for.
Crested Geckos are also known as "eyelash crested geckos."
Related species include gargoyle geckos (R. auriculatus) which
are slightly less common in the trade than "cresties," and therefore
garner a higher price. Care for the two species is similar.
Vivarium Size & Design
A single crested gecko can be adequately maintained in a 10
gallon aquarium (18" x 10" x 12"), however, being arboreal, they
enjoy height more so than length. A traditional 20 gallon (24" x 12" x
16") or another "tall" tank would be more appropriate. For a pair of
females, a 29 gallon is suggested (30" x 12" x 18").
Provide climbing branches, fake or real greenery (real will require
ample light to grow, but will encourage high humidity) and other
hiding materials. Our crested geckos enjoy the "suction cup
mounted" plants that hang on the back of vivs. ExoTerra markets
some. Plants will catch water drops, which the geckos like to lick.
Temperature
If your homes ambient temperature stays between 70 and 80
degrees Fahrenheit, you will not need supplemental heat for your
crestie. If your home gets colder than this during winter, you can use
a small incandescent bulb or a heat pad to raise the temperatures
back into the acceptable range.
Lighting
The general consensus of the reptile community at this time is that
cresties, being nocturnal, do not require UVA/UVB light, and that it
may even cause damage to their sensitive eyes. If your goal is to
breed your cresties, you will need to utilize a light to maintain a 12
hour photoperiod year round.
Humidity
We mist our cresties vivarium twice per day and provide a fairly
large water dish in order to maintain a moderate level of humidity
for them.
Feeding
Crested geckos make excellent pets for many reasons, including
the simplicity of feeding them. They will thrive on a diet of mixed
fruit baby foods, with some low-fat meat babyfoods (like turkey or
chicken) mixed in, and will only require insects such as crickets
every few weeks. Many breeders believe that Repashy powdered
Crested Gecko diet can provide all the nutritional needs of crested
geckos, negating the need for crickets, but we have not tried this.
Our cresties are fed babyfood or a pureed fruit mixture two to three
times per week. We put powdered vitamins on the fruit mixture.
They also receive calcium-dusted crickets once per week. These
are hunted with relish.
Temperament & Handling
Crested geckos are excellent beginner reptiles. They can be gently
handled if care is taken not to damage or grab their tail. If a tail
breaks off, it will not grow back, but generally the gecko will survive
the event. Cresties can be a bit jumpy, and can leap rather large
distances, so it is usually best to handle them while seated on or
near the floor to prevent injury from falling. Cresties can nip if
irritated, but even the bite of an adult will not generally break human
skin.
Gender & Compatability
Sexually mature males will have a large hemipenal bulge at the
base of their tail. This became obvious at around 5 or 6 months of
age. Females will lack this bulge. In addition, males will have an
obvious line of pores above their vents which can be seen in
smaller animals if a magnifying glass is used.
Crested geckos do not need to be kept with others of the same
kind, however, two or more females will generally not bother each
other, especially if they are raised together and given enough
space. Sexually mature adult males will fight and should not be
housed together. Housing a true pair can and will result in breeding
which may or may not be desired.
Life Span
Crested geckos can live to 15 years if properly cared for.
| Books Crested Geckos (AVS) by Phillip de Vosjoli Crested Geckos (Complete Herp Care) by Adam Black Rhacodactylus: Complete Guide to Selection & Care by Phillip de Vosjoli, Allen Repashy, and Frank East Websites Ciliatus Pangea Reptiles |
