The crested gecko, or eyelash gecko, scientifically known as Correlophus ciliatus, is considered a relatively large species among geckos. Once believed to be extinct, they were rediscovered in 1994 and have since become one of the most popular arboreal geckos. Unlike chameleons, their tails are semi-curled rather than fully curled, and while they can shed their tails like leopard geckos, they unfortunately don’t have the ability to regenerate them. You can easily identify these crested geckos by their distinctive triangular heads and the unique eyelash-like protrusions above their eye sockets. If you want to know crested gecko lifespan and dive deeper into their care, including enclosure, diet, and more, check out this comprehensive guide.
Crested Gecko Lifespan
In captivity, crested geckos typically live 15-20 years, and with optimal care, some may even exceed that range. Therefore, to maximize your crested gecko lifespan, it’s essential to know their needs and keep them happy and healthy. They will likely to be your companion for a significant portion of your life.
Habitat
Crested geckos are native to the rainforest of New Caledonia, where they live primarily in trees. To make them feel comfortable, it’s best to recreate their natural environment as closely as possible.
Enclosure
A young crested gecko can comfortably start in a 12x12x18-inch terrarium, but it will grow to its full size in about 6-12 months and will need a larger space of at least 18x18x24 inches. Since crested geckos are arboreal and like to climb, the height of the terrarium is more important than the floor space.
Glass or plastic terrariums with ventilation holes are ideal, as they provide good visibility and humidity retention. Also, make sure the terrarium has good ventilation and a secure, locking lid to prevent your pet from escaping.
Temperature and Humidity
In the natural habitat of crested geckos, there are two main seasons: the cold season from June to August and the hot season from November to April. During the cold months, temperatures range from 59-75°F (15-24°C), while the hot season sees temperatures between 79°F and 85°F (26-29°C). However, it’s more important to ensure that temperatures never exceed 85°F (29°C), as these geckos are highly sensitive to heat, which can be fatal.
To help them regulate their body temperature, it’s best to set up a temperature gradient in their enclosure, with a cooler area around 72-75°F (22-24°C) and a slightly warmer zone at 78-82°F (26-28°C). Use a low-power ceramic heater or a heating pad to maintain the warmer zone at the ideal temperature, but place it on the side of the enclosure, rather than underneath. This way, the gecko won’t come into direct contact with the heating source, reducing the risk of burns. Regardless of the type of heating device used, a thermostat is essential to prevent overheating and keep your pet safe.
Ideally, the humidity should be maintained between 60-80%. Mist the leaves, tank walls, and the crested gecko itself daily, as it enjoys licking the dew off its skin and surrounding surfaces. Also, proper humidity will help them shed and molt. Allow the enclosure to dry a bit between mistings to prevent bacterial growth. Having a reliable thermo-hygrometer is the key to monitoring humidity levels.
Substrate
There are many substrates for crested geckos, such as paper towels, coconut fiber, peat moss, recycled paper pellets, bio-active substrates, or reptile carpets. However, you need to avoid materials that could be harmful if ingested in large quantities, like sand, wood shavings, gravel, and walnut shells. The best and safest option is paper towels, which are unlikely to be ingested and can be quickly replaced for easy cleaning.
Lighting
Crested geckos are nocturnal, which means they don’t need UVB lighting to thrive, just some vitamin D3 in their diet. However, studies indicate that adding a UV source can increase their activity and enhance their colors. To extend your crested gecko lifespan, it’s recommended to provide a low-intensity UVB light (2-5%) on a consistent day-night cycle for about 12 hours per day. In the meantime, set up shaded areas in their enclosure so they can choose when to bask in the light.
Accessories
Crested geckos are naturally shy and need multiple hiding places to feel safe. The shelter can be branches, vines, cork bark, coconut husk, synthetic resin hides, or even PVC pipes. Not only do branches and vines create hiding spots, but they also allow crested geckos to climb, so it’s important to include plants whether real or artificial in their habitat. Just make sure that any live plants are non-toxic, with options like devil’s ivy, philodendron, or weeping fig working well. In addition, don’t forget to provide a shallow dish of clean water every day, as they cannot swim.
Diet
Crested geckos are relatively low-maintenance reptiles, and providing them with proper nutrition can be beneficial to their lifespan. Still, it’s important to monitor their diet and know if you are feeding them the right food.
Food
The Crested Gecko Diet (CGD) is the most common diet for crested geckos, which is a powdered substance that needs a ratio of 2 teaspoons of water for every part of the powder. Feed your gecko CGD 2-3 times a week, and any leftovers should be cleared out within 24 hours to prevent mold growth.
Crested geckos are omnivores, which means that while CGD provides complete nutrition, a variety of food types and occasional insects can enhance their feeding experience and diversify their diet. You can treat your pet to crickets, Dubia roaches, or other appropriately sized insects once or twice a week. Just feed the insects enough food and dust them with calcium powder before serving. However, not all crested geckos like to eat live food. For example, I have one at home that refuses every insect I feed it. If your pet isn’t interested, don’t push it.
If you want to add some fruits and vegetables to their diets, options like tomatoes, lettuce, figs, kiwis, strawberries, mangoes, raspberries, and blueberries are all great choices.
Water
As mentioned above, misting the terrarium can provide drinking water. Crested geckos will drink water droplets from leaves, glass, and even from themselves. As a backup, you can place a shallow water dish in the enclosure filled with clean water that is changed every day.
Handling and Interaction
Handling of newly hatched crested gecko should be minimized, and as it grows, you can start to interact with it more, but do so slowly and gently. When you do handle them, make sure to support its feet with your hands, letting them walk or move through your fingers. Be aware that crested geckos can jump, so stay alert.
Avoid grabbing its tail, as crested gecko can shed it as a defense mechanism, and unfortunately, a lost tail won’t grow back. Handling time should be limited to 5-10 minutes. If your crested gecko seems nervous or agitated, don’t worry, this is completely normal. Generally, these geckos are quite gentle and rarely bite, but if they do, it’s usually out of fear, pain, or irritation.
Health and Hygiene
Crested geckos are quite resilient and rarely get sick. The most common issues they face are getting stuck in molts and tail detachment. If you notice anything unusual in your gecko’s behavior, droppings, or eating habits that might indicate a health problem, reach out to your reptile veterinarian. Additionally, when introducing new geckos to your existing enclosure, quarantine them for at least 30-60 days to avoid any potential disease transmission.
FAQs about Crested Geckos
How big do crested geckos get?
Crested geckos can reach 6-9 inches (15-23 cm) long when mature, with their tails making up about half of their body length. Their size can differ based on genetics and diet, and generally, males are slightly bigger than females.
Can crested geckos live together?
It’s best to avoid housing multiple male crested geckos together as they can get territorial and fight with each other. If you’re considering keeping two or more, go for female crested geckos instead, as they usually get along better and are more social with one another.
How often do crested geckos shed?
Juvenile crested geckos may shed every week or two, while adults may shed every few weeks to months. Maintaining an appropriate humidity in their enclosure will help facilitate a healthy and successful shed.
Do crested geckos need UVB?
While crested geckos can thrive without UVB lighting, as they are mostly nocturnal, providing a low-level UVB light can still be helpful. It helps them produce vitamin D3, which is crucial for absorbing calcium and maintaining healthy bones. If you decide not to provide UVB, ensure their diet includes enough vitamin D3 to keep them healthy.
