Crested Gecko Care Guide
A gentle, hardy arboreal gecko ideal for beginners — thriving in moderate humidity, vertical setups, and well-planted enclosures.
Quick Facts
🌳 Arboreal
🍓 Fruit & insect diet
☀️ UVB lighting
🔆 LED lighting
🦎 Beginner-friendly
🌿 Bioactive friendly
- Scientific name: Correlophus ciliatus
- Common names: Crested Gecko, Eyelash Gecko
- Lifespan: 15–20+ years in captivity
- Activity: Nocturnal, arboreal
- Difficulty: Excellent for beginners
Enclosure Requirements
- Minimum size: 18" × 18" × 24" (adult)
- Orientation: Vertical — height is key
- Style: Naturalistic or bioactive with branches, cork, vines, and foliage
- Temperature gradient: Provide warm and cool zones
- Drainage: Optional — depends on misting frequency
Temperature & Humidity
- Day temps: 22–26°C (72–79°F)
- Basking (optional): up to 28°C (82°F)
- Night temps: 20–22°C (68–72°F)
- Humidity: 50–70% with nightly spikes to 80–90%
- Misting: Light misting 1–2× daily
- Ventilation: Good airflow is essential
Lighting
- Lighting type: Ambient LED for plant growth + optional low-level UVB (2–5%)
- Photoperiod: 12 hours
- UVB benefits: Appetite, activity, vitamin D synthesis
- Night lighting: Not required
Substrate
- Preferred: Aquarium filter foam, ABG mix, coco chips, or bioactive blends
- Feature: Holds humidity without staying soggy
- Leaf litter: Encouraged for cover and microfauna
Diet
- Staples: Commercial CGD (Crested Gecko Diet) formulas
- Insects: Crickets or dubias 1–2× weekly (optional but enriching)
- Treats: Pureed fruit (mango, banana, papaya)
- Supplements: If feeding insects, dust lightly with calcium
- Feeding frequency: CGD 3–4× weekly
Water & Hydration
- Water bowl: Shallow dish, refreshed daily
- Quality: Treated tap or spring water
- Hydration method: Drinks from droplets on leaves & glass
- Note: Consistent humidity prevents shedding issues
Gallery & Enclosure Example
Below you will see a few pictures of Crested Geckos and their enclosure styles.
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