FAQs & Care Guide
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Crested Gecko Size & Life Span

Both male and female crested geckos reach a moderate size of 4 to 4.5 inches snout-to-vent length (SVL), and 8 inches in total length. Crested geckos are considered sexually mature when around 2-3 years of age, and at a weight of approximately 40-45 grams for females & 35-40 grams for males; they can weigh up 70-80+ grams when reaching peak age. Under proper care, your crested gecko can live up to 20 to 28 years in captivity.

 

(*For new keepers we suggest learning the species & owning for a year prior to pursuing breeding; reach out to an experienced keeper for guidance if in case you do choose to breed this species. *)

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Crested Gecko Diet & Cricket/Dubia feeding:

In this author’s opinion, the complete crested gecko diets marketed as Vital Meal, Repashy Superfoods “Crested Gecko” Diet, BP Zoological, and Pangea are current brands widely used in the crested gecko hobby; you will also supplement/feed live insects such as Crickets and/or Dubia.

 

Crested Gecko Diet: Mix with purified water to ketchup like consistency, offered in shallow dishes three times a week (Mon, Wed, Fri) as much as these geckos will eat at a feeding. The diet is allowed to remain 24 to 48 hours in the enclosure before removal (check instructions on food as this may vary). You can purchase ledges (magnetic or suction cups) with removable/replaceable cups for feedings. We suggest for the smaller Crested Geckos (3-10grams) keep food cups at the bottom of enclosure and use the bottle caps (silicone or sanitized bottle caps). 

 

Feeding Crickets and/or Dubia: make sure they are no larger than the mouth/head of the Crested Gecko.

Lightly dust Crickets/Dubia with a vitamin/mineral supplement that contains calcium, vitamin D3 (unless using liquid calcium) Offer live bugs (3-5 bugs each gecko) 1-2 times a week; remove bugs not eaten between feedings.

 

Tips: Always replace food & water caps/cups with clean caps/cups every feeding.  Keep food stored by instructions on food bags.  We recommend making fresh food for every feeding day; however, the food can be premade but has a short fridge life of up to 5 days depending on the brand of foods used.

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Crested Gecko Water and Humidity

Water should always be available for crested geckos in a shallow water dish. These geckos also require a relative humidity of at least 40-50 percent and preferably 60-80+ percent when tank is freshly misted. In dry areas the tanks should be lightly misted nightly (every other night if in Tub style set up) or a cool air humidifier placed in the room. Inexpensive hygrometers (relative humidity gauges) for use with reptiles are available to purchase (store/online).

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Crested Gecko Housing

Baby crested geckos are best housed in large plastic terrariums or in standard (20-inch) 10-gallon reptile tanks with a screen top, or 6/7-quart shoebox style drilled tubs made of PVC or Plastic. An adult crested gecko should be housed in a minimum of a 20-gallon tank with screen top (see below for a breakdown of recommended tank sizes). Larger tanks will allow for better displays. We do not suggest housing crested geckos together also do not suggest screen enclosures (Chameleon enclosures). Crested Geckos tend to thrive best individually in enclosures. For females near breeding weight 35-45grams make sure to provide lay bins (cup or container w/ damp sphagmoss).

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Keep in mind that regardless of what type of cage you use, that height is more desirable than length or width, particularly with adult geckos. Using reptile specific terrariums has many advantages over aquariums designed for fish and should be considered even if costs may be higher. The Exo Terra 12x12x18 terrarium is an ideal set up for a single adult smaller gecko and minimum size being The Exo Terra 18x18x24 terrarium for the larger adult Crested Geckos (est.55-80+grams).  We recommend est. 18″L x 18″W x 36″ for large adult geckos (with a screen top if glass tank).

 

​Temperature, Heating, and Lighting

Temperatures for crested geckos should be maintained between 70 to 78 degrees for most of the year. At temperatures of 82 degrees or warmer, crested geckos will become stressed, which could lead to illness or death. Cresteds can tolerate nighttime temperature drops down into the mid 60’s, but it is not necessary to provide this type of nighttime drop. We recommend a two-month cooling period is recommended to allow breeding crested geckos time to rest. During this period temperatures should be kept at 68 to 70 degrees.

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Crested Gecko Substrate

(*For new keepers we suggest artificial plants for décor and paper towels for substrate. *)

Crested geckos spend most of their time above ground so a variety of substrates can be used. For simple maintenance purposes, paper towels are easily accessible and easily cleaned. For a more naturalistic look and for bioactive enclosures, a peat-moss-based soil mix that doesn’t contain perlite will work well. Also, for bio active enclosures coir (coconut fiber pulp now sold in reptile stores as compressed bricks) mixed 50 percent with soil is a good choice for growing live plants.

 

Crested geckos feel comfortable resting in foliage and like to climb on wood. Good landscape materials include cork bark sections for vertical and ground level shelters and climbing areas. Dried wood branches angled across the length of a vivarium provide resting and activity areas. Do not over clutter the tank. Leave plenty of open space. Live or artificial plants in combination with wood and bark will provide the security crested geckos need to rest in the open and add a decorative element to the display. Good plant selections include small Ficus benjamina, Dracaena spp. and Pothos.