Species: Correlophus ciliatus

Congratulations on your new crested gecko! These amazing reptiles are hardy, docile, and perfect for families. Below is the exact husbandry protocol we use here at Prime Crested Geckos to keep our animals thriving.

Crested geckos are arboreal, meaning they love to climb. Height is more important than floor space.

• Hatchlings/Juveniles (under 15g): Keep in smaller enclosures (like a 6-quart tub or a 12x12x12 terrarium) to ensure they can find their food easily.
• Adults: A minimum of 18x18x24 inches (20-30 gallons) is recommended.
• Decor: Provide plenty of branches, vines, and foliage (fake or live). A gecko that feels hidden is a gecko that feels safe. Coverage should be about 50-70% of the tank.

One of the best things about Crested Geckos is that they thrive at room temperature!

• Ideal Range: 72°F – 78°F during the day.
• Night Drop: Temperatures can safely drop to 68°F – 70°F at night.
• Warning: Temperatures above 82°F can be fatal. If your home gets hot, you must provide a cool area.
• Lighting: UVB is not strictly required if the diet is supplemented with D3, but we highly recommend a low-output UVB bulb (like a ShadeDweller) for optimal health and color.

• Humidity: Maintain humidity between 60% and 80%.
• Misting: Mist the enclosure heavily at night (to spike humidity to 80-90%) and lightly in the morning.
• Dry Out Period: It is crucial to let the tank dry out to around 50% humidity during the day to prevent mold and respiratory infections.
• Hydration: Always provide a shallow water dish with clean, fresh water.

We raise our geckos on a high-quality powdered diet.

• Staple Diet: We feed Pangea or Repashy Crested Gecko Diet. Mix with water until it reaches the consistency of ketchup.
  
  • Feeding Schedule: Offer fresh food every other evening.
• Insects: Crickets or Dubia roaches can be offered once a week as a treat and protein boost.
  
  • Dusting: Always dust insects with a Calcium + D3 supplement before feeding.

Crested geckos are generally very handleable, but they can be jumpy when young.

• The "Hand Walk": When handling, let them jump or walk from one hand to the other. Do not squeeze or restrain them.
• Tail Loss: If stressed, a gecko may drop its tail. It will not grow back (giving them a "frog butt" appearance), but this does not affect their quality of life or health.
• Acclimation: When you first bring your gecko home, do not handle them for 2 weeks. Let them settle into their new environment and start eating regularly before you begin handling.

A healthy gecko has:

• Alert eyes (no sinking).
• Clean vent area.
• Active behavior at night.
• Sticky toe pads (able to climb glass).