Native to the trees of New Caledonia, northeast of Australia, the crested gecko needs a large, humid enclosure that is taller than it is wide. Crested geckos are arboreal, meaning they spend most of their life in trees. A vertical tank will allow the crested gecko to climb as he would in the wild. A 20 gallon tall is best at minimum, but you can always opt for larger to allow more movement.

The tank should have a good deal of surfaces for climbing, such as cork bark or driftwood, to enrich the gecko’s environment. It is also important that their enclosure is misted daily to mimic the rainfall of their native forests. This will ensure their skin stays moist and healthy. The humidity level of the tank should generally remain between 60%-80%.

These geckos eat insects in the wild, but as a pet, they can most easily be fed a commercially available paste made of both insects and calcium. Baby foods can be added to the diet, but should not be used as the primary food item.

Crested geckos, being arboreal, must leap from leaf to leaf in the wild, so they are excellent jumpers and will do so at the first given opportunity. Always make sure to watch the gecko closely while handling, because they can very easily hop right out of your hands. Let a crested gecko sit on your hand, which he will most likely cling to carefully.

Crested geckos can be a bit tricky for the novice reptile owner, but with the right setup and dietary provisions, you can keep one happy and healthy for years. Before choosing a crested gecko, ensure that you will be able to provide the time needed to mist the tank daily, or the resources to invest in an automatic mister.

Crested geckos are probably not a good option for unattended children, as they can easily jump out of small hands and disappear.

Calcium deficiency is a life threatening condition for reptiles that can be avoided with an adequate supply of calcium provided at all times. Geckos have a higher need for calcium than many other reptiles. Dehydration is also a possible ailment, so it is important to keep the terrarium at a high humidity level.

With any reptile, there is a risk of exposure to salmonella. It is important to always wash hands carefully after handling any animal, especially when children are involved. Never let a child put their pet anywhere near their mouth. It is common for reptiles to have a low number of internal parasites that do not normally pose any risk to humans. In times of stress, the reptile’s immune system may weaken and allow the parasites to overpopulate, posing a risk to the animal’s health.

As with any pet, it is of the utmost importance to seek veterinary care at the first sign of something wrong. We at Fauna recommend the Center for Avian and Exotic Medicine (see below for contact information). We are always happy to take your calls with any questions, and we will try to do our best to help you, but we are unable to provide all the necessary services a veterinarian can.

Fauna
265 West 87th Street (at Broadway)
New York, NY 10024
(212) 877-2473
faunanyc.com
faunacrew@gmail.com

The Center for Avian and Exotic Medicine
562 Columbus Avenue (at 88th Street)
New York, NY 10024
(212) 501-8750