Crested Gecko Care
Crested Gecko (Correlophus ciliatus)
A small species of arboreal gecko which grow up to 4inch snout to vent originating from Southern New Caledonia.
In captivity these geckos primarily feed on crested gecko diet and live food.
This species of gecko come in a range of morphs (colour phases) Making them a very attractive gecko species to own.
Sexual Dimorphism:
Male crested geckos have an apparent hemipenile bulge which will often display in geckos over the weight of 20 grams. Females lack a hemipenile bulge.
Housing:
Hatchling: 18x18x19cm (WxLxH)
juvenile/Sub Adult: 30x30x45cm (WxLxH)
Adult: 45x45x60cm (WxLxH)
Enclosures should reflect the gecko’s size.
They must have enough space to move around the enclosure to thermoregulate their body temperature.
Enclosures must have a multitude of hiding/perching places. We achieve this by offering cork tubes, cork flats and cork branches as well as foliage.
Various substrates can be used for the ground of the enclosure.
We have best results keeping hatchling & juveniles on paper towel. This allows us to easily monitor feeding/Faeces.
Our adults have a eco-earth:sand mix. This substrate offers enough rigidity to allow the geckos to dig and find the ideal egg laying site as well as maintaining humidity in the enclosure.
Temperature and UV:
Temperature and UV play an important role in the growth and digestive system of your gecko!
Over a 24-hour period we offer 12hours of active heating and 12 hours of cooling to simulate natural environmental changes. (These differ slightly with seasonal changes).
Optimum daytime temperature should range between 23◦c-27◦c. Take care temperatures inside the gecko’s enclosure do NOT exceed 28◦c for extended amounts of time.
We allow night time temperatures to drop between 20◦c-23◦c.
UV lighting is beneficial and allows your gecko to increase vitamin D3 absorption.
7% Shade dweller placed over the top of a screen cage will provide optimal UV exposure which reads 0 - 0.7 Ferguson Zone 1 on a solar meter.
Food/Water/Humidity:
Crested geckos feed primarily on Crested gecko diet(s) and live food.
We feed pangea crested gecko diet with the preferred diet flavour being watermelon!
Live food : Crickets, dubia roaches, red runners and calci worms.
Water should be always offered in a bowl. The water should be replaced daily, the bowl cleaned regularly.
Misting should be carried out at least once per day (This may change on personal environmental conditions). The average UK house hold humidity ranges from 50-60% Crested geckos require a peek humidity between 85-90%.
the enclosure must be allow to go through a dry period 60 – 70% humidity during the day so not to cause bacterial build-up. (Too much humidity can also harm geckos!)
Crested gecko diet is formulated to contain all/most nutritional needs for your gecko and is available in a multitude of flavours these diets come in a powder form. Water is added to the diet to produce a consistency of tomato ketchup.
Live food such as crickets, calciworms, dubia roaches and red runners can be offered for a varied diet and offer enrichment for your gecko.
Additional vitamin and mineral powders can be dusted onto live food to cater for your geckos needs.
Ensure all live food on offer is well hydrated and Gut loaded with Fruit/Veg prior to feeding.
Our feeding Regime:
Monday: Pangea
Tuesday: Without Food
Wednesday: Live Food
Thursday: Pangea
Friday: Without Food
Saturday: Live Food
Sunday: Without food
All food should be removed after 24 hours.
Reproduction:
Male Crested geckos will court a female with a serious of clicks, squeaks and tongue flicks upon courtship the male with bite gently onto the females upper neck/crest and begin to mate.
Approximately 30-40 days after mating the female will lay between 1-2 eggs. Eggs are laid under 4inches of soil. This will continue every 25-35 days throughout the breeding season, considering your temperatures are stable.
Laying females will need to regain vital weight and calcium reserves after laying eggs. High calcium foods should be fed to breeding females.