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Table of Contents
- Crested Gecko Care Guide – Everything You Need to Know
- Crested Gecko Feeding Requirements
- Crested Gecko Enclosure Guide
- 5 Extremely Easy Ways to Sex Your Crested Gecko
- 3 Most Common Questions for New Crested Gecko Owner’s
- Crested Gecko Shedding FAQ’s: 5 Tips and Tricks to Help Prevent and Treat Stuck Shed
About Crested Geckos
Crested Geckos, or Eyelash Crested Geckos as some people call them, are native to a group of islands located in the Southwest Pacific called New Caledonia. Crested Geckos were actually believed to be extinct until they were rediscovered in 1994. Now, with the help of breeders, they are one of the most popular pets in the trade. Even though they are also called “Eyelash Crested Geckos,” they actually do not have any eyelids. They use their tongue to keep their eyes moist and free from debris.
Crested Geckos can be found in a variety of different colors and distinctive physical characteristics called, “morphs.”
Behavior
Crested Geckos are a pretty docile species. Baby geckos tend to be very skittish and easily stressed. Geckos have microscopic hairs on their feet which allows them to cling to surfaces. They can also jump short distances and use those microscopic hairs to help them grab on and hold to things. For more information, see my 3 Most Common Questions for New Crested Gecko Owners post.
Crested Geckos have a prehensile tail that they use for wrapping around objects like branches and vines to maintain their stability. However, they can perform what is called “caudal autotomy” and drop or self-amputate their tail if they feel threatened or stressed. This ability is crucial to their survival in the wild if they are caught by a predator. Crested Geckos cannot regenerate their tail once it is dropped. Some pet traders call Crested Geckos that have dropped their tails, “
Size
Crested Geckos can range in size from 4-6 inches, 5 to 10 inches total including their tail. Newborn baby geckos can weigh around 1.5 grams (THAT’S SO TINY!) and get to about 35-50 grams as adults, sometimes bigger.
Life Span
Crested Geckos can range in size from 4-6 inches, 5 to 10 inches total including their tail. Newborn baby geckos can weigh around 1.5 grams (THAT’S SO TINY!) and get to about 35-50 grams as adults, sometimes bigger.
Availability
Crested Geckos can usually be found in local pet stores that sell reptiles. They are also a very commonly bred reptile in the community and can easily be found at certain local reptile events or online. Just like anything else, I would suggest you research the breeder you are planning to buy from and make sure they are a legit business that cares for the welfare of their animals and
A lot of people will say they are a good “beginner” reptile. I don’t like to use that word or imply that taking care of a Crested Gecko, or any reptile or animal for that matter is easy. Reptiles should be treated with the same care and love as any other animal like a cat or dog. Reptiles are NOT throwaway pets. I strongly urge anyone that is considering getting a reptile or any animal to do your research and not just listen to what the pet store says or what you read online, this blog included. You should have a good and experienced Exotic Veterinarian on hand and always take new pets into the vet for a checkup.
*This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. We do not recommend any products that we have not or would not use personally.