Crested Geckos

Crested Gecko (Correlophus ciliatus)

Enclosure

• Adult minimum: 45×45×60 cm (18×18×24 in)
  
  

• Babies/Juveniles: Smaller enclosures acceptable; upgrade as they grow
  
  

• Rule: Height is more important than floor space
  
  

Size, Weight & Age

• Baby (0–6 months)
  
  

  • Size: 5–8 cm (2–3 in)
    
    

  • Weight: 2–5 g
    
    

• Juvenile (6–18 months)
  
  

  • Size: 10–15 cm (4–6 in)
    
    

  • Weight: 10–25 g
    
    

• Adult (18+ months)
  
  

  • Size: 18–24 cm (7–9.5 in)
    
    

  • Weight: 35–55 g
    
    

Lifestyle

• Type: Arboreal
  
  

• Activity: Nocturnal / Crepuscular
  
  

• Origin: New Caledonia
  
  

Temperature & Heating

• Day: 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
  
  

• Night: Down to 18 °C (64 °F)
  
  

• Maximum: Never exceed ~28 °C (82 °F)
  
  

Heating Options (if needed)

• Deep Heat Projector (DHP):
  
  

  • Best option; provides natural-feeling warmth
    
    

• Ceramic Heat Emitter (CHE):
  
  

  • Good for ambient heat without light
    
    

• Heat Mats:
  
  

  • Not recommended; ineffective for arboreal species
    
    

⚠️ Always use a thermostat with any heat source

Humidity

• Target: 50–70%
  
  

• Method: Daily misting
  
  

• Purpose: Drinking, hydration, shedding
  
  

Lighting & UVB

• Day/Night Cycle:
  
  

  • 12 hours on / 12 hours off
    
    

• UVB:
  
  

  • Low-output UVB (2–7%)
    
    

  • Optional but recommended for bone health
    
    

• No UVB Used:
  
  

  • Provide a low-level white LED or daylight bulb
    
    

  • Ensures a clear day/night rhythm
    
    

Food & Water

• Staple Diet:
  
  

  • Crested Gecko Diet (CGD)
    
    

• Insects (1–2× weekly):
  
  

  • Crickets
    
    

  • Dubia roaches
    
    

  • Calciworms
    
    

• Water:
  
  

  • Shallow water dish
    
    

  • Most drinking from misted droplets
    
    

• Treats:
  
  

  • Occasional mashed fruit (banana, peach)
    
    

  • Avoid citrus
    
    

Supplements

• With UVB:
  
  

  • Calcium without D3
    
    

• Without UVB:
  
  

  • Calcium with D3
    
    

• Multivitamin:
  
  

  • 1–2× per month
    
    

Sexing

• Males:
  
  

  • Hemipenal bulges at tail base
    
    

• Females:
  
  

  • No bulges
    
    

  • May lay infertile eggs
    
    

Shedding

• Frequency: Regular
  
  

• Normal Behavior: Eats shed skin
  
  

• Problems: Stuck shed usually means low humidity
  
  

Handling

• Temperament: Calm, but jumpy
  
  

• Handling:
  
  

  • Gentle
    
    

  • Short sessions
    
    

  • Avoid sudden movements
    
    

Enrichment & Climbing

• Climbing:
  
  

  • Branches
    
    

  • Cork bark
    
    

  • Vines
    
    

• Cover:
  
  

  • Dense foliage
    
    

• Security:
  
  

  • Multiple hides
    
    

Substrate Options

Non-Bioactive

• Paper towels
  
  

• Coconut fiber
  
  

• Cypress mulch
  
  

Bioactive

• Topsoil (organic, no fertilisers)
  
  

• Coco fiber + orchid bark mix
  
  

• Bioactive reptile soil
  
  

• Leaf litter layer on top
  
  

⚠️ Avoid: Sand, gravel, wood chips, walnut shell

Plants

Safe Plants

• Pothos
  
  

• Snake plant
  
  

• Ficus
  
  

• Philodendron
  
  

• Bromeliads
  
  

• Spider plant
  
  

Unsafe Plants

• Ivy
  
  

• Dieffenbachia
  
  

• Oleander
  
  

• Croton
  
  

• Any plant treated with pesticides or fertilisers
  
  

Cleaning

• Daily: Spot clean waste
  
  

• Monthly: Deep clean (non-bioactive)
  
  

• Bioactive:
  
  

  • Use clean-up crews (springtails & isopods)
    
    

  • Replace substrate only when needed
    
    

Housing

• Recommended: Kept alone
  
  

• Warning: Males must never be housed together
  
  

Lifespan

• Average: 15–20 years
  
  

Experience Level

• Beginner Friendly
  
  

• Hardy and forgiving with correct care
  
  

Fun Fact

• Thought extinct until rediscovered in 1994
  
  

Other Notes

• Crested geckos cannot regrow their tails