Crested Gecko Care Guide

LIFE SPAN

Approximately 15 years

AVERAGE SIZE

8-10 inches long

CAGE TEMPS

Day Temps: 75-80°F

CAGE HUMIDITY

85% humidity levels 

NORMAL BEHAVIOR & INTERACTION

Crested Geckos are sweet, docile creatures. They can be tamed and handled; however, they are excellent jumpers. Cresties will drop their tails (lose them) when trying to escape a predator, and their tails do not grow back so be careful when handling. They can also change their color from light to dark in order to camouflage properly. These Geckos are nocturnal so they are primary awake at night. NOTE: Crested geckos can be housed together, but NEVER two males in the same cage.

FEEDING

Omnivorous; eats both live prey and fruit. Commercially available Crested Gecko diet is a powdered meal replacement that is mixed with water to form a paste Place a dish of the diet in the enclosure at night and remove it in the morning. A variety of insect feeders also need to be offered several times a week. Soft fruits such as bananas can also be offered to your gecko.

SUPPLEMENTS

The Crested Gecko diet that you purchase should have a good balance of vitamins and minerals sufficient for your Gecko’s needs.

WATER

A large bowl of clean fresh chlorine-free water must always be available and changed daily.

HOUSING & ENVIRONMENT

To regulate their body temperature, a warm side and cool side of the enclosure should be maintained. Crested Geckos love to climb, therefore your enclosure should have many branches and plants to do so.

ENCLOSURE SIZE

A Crested Gecko tank should be at least 29 Gal high (or larger) for 3 adults. A 20 Gal high tank will be a large enough enclosure for one adult. Ensure your enclosure has a secure mesh lid.

UVB LIGHT

Exposure to UVB (ultraviolet B) light is CRITICAL in allowing an animal to synthesize vitamin D3 in their skin and metabolize calcium in their body.

SUBSTRATE

We recommend a loose coconut fiber substrate.

DAY/NIGHT LIGHT CYCLES & HEATING

All Crested Geckos must have distinct day and night periods in their enclosure to maintain their biological rhythms. Crested Geckos need 8-12 hours of daytime and nighttime.

HABITAT MAINTENANCE

Daily maintenance should consist of spot cleaning by removing soiled substrate, cleaning water bowl thoroughly and wiping glass clean. The entire tank should be cleaned thoroughly at least once every couple months.

RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES

•  20 Gal high reptile or fish tank for 1 Gecko; 29 Gal high tank for 1-3 Geckos with secure metal mesh top 
• Small dome & appropriately sized heat light 
• UVB bulb & housing 
• Temperature/humidity gauge 
• Coconut fiber substrate 
• Multiple live or artificial plants & to hide and climb in (reptile-safe) 
• Large water bowl - big enough to soak in 
• Food dish 
• Live food 
• Powdered Crested Gecko food 
• Water dechlorinate drops 
• Spray bottle

Vet Approved

Our Care Guides are designed to assist in general knowledge and requirements for the care of your new family member. We strongly encourage further research and consultation with your veterinarian on the complete and proper care of any new pet.

For more information visit petsuppliesplus.com, cdc.gov/healthypets or contact your veterinarian.

Always wash your hands before and after handling your pet or cleaning its habitat, and remember that any pet can scratch, bite or transmit disease to humans.

For pregnant women, persons with compromised immune systems, or if you have children under the age of 5, we strongly recommend contacting your physician prior to purchasing or caring for a new pet.

Please see the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov/healthypets for more information.