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Explore where Crested Geckos naturally live, the environments they thrive in, and how this impacts their care in captivity.

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These unique-looking reptiles have an even more unique story! Once thought to be extinct, they were rediscovered in the late 1990s, and are now a popular pet. This creature's natural habitat is a small island off the coast of Australia, called New Caledonia. They have "eyelashes" of ridged skin, and a ridge of skin running down either side of their head and neck. Read on to learn about the crested gecko.

Description of the Crested Gecko

These lizards are some of the largest gecko species, and can be up to 10 in. long. They have a spiny frill of skin the runs over the tops of their eyes, sides of their heads, and down their backs. There are a wide variety of skin colors that occur in the wild, and even more that occur via captive breeding. Some colors include grey, yellow, brown, and red.

Interesting Facts About the Crested Gecko

These cute little lizards are uniquely shaped, and have a number of interesting adaptations to help them survive. Learn more about these cool creatures below.

Eyelid-less - Like some other geckos, crested geckos do not have eyelids. To keep their eyes clean, they have an odd way of grooming. These reptiles use their long tongues to lick their eyes clean and moisten it.

Who Said That! - When most people think of reptiles, especially geckos, they don't picture vocal animals. Unlike some other reptiles, crested geckos make a decent amount of noise! They will bark and squeak in a wide variety of tones.

An Extra Hand - These creatures are arboreal, which means that they live much of their lives in trees rather than on the ground. To help keep them from falling, they have a prehensile tail. Their tails can be wrapped around branches and twigs to give a little extra stability.

Lamellae - Another great climbing adaptation is their oddly shaped feet and toes. The pads of a gecko's toes have unique ridges called lamellae, which can be used to climb very slick surfaces. They can even climb glass!

Habitat of the Crested Gecko

Crested geckos live in a small pocket of land on an island off the coast of Australia. Because they have such a restricted range, they also have a very restricted habitat. They are found only in the rainforests of New Caledonia. Within the forest they live in and around the canopy.

Distribution of the Crested Gecko

Outside of human care, these creatures are found only on the island of New Caledonia. Within the island, they are found only in the South Province. Three separate populations are found within this small area.

A small offshore island, called the Isle of Pines, holds one population. The other two are located on the main island, Grand Terre. These creatures are found no where else in the world in nature.

Diet of the Crested Gecko

These reptiles are omnivorous. While they will feed on insects, they also eat fruit, which makes them a frugivore as well. In the wild, they will prey upon any insect that they can capture, including flies, mosquitos, larvae, and more.

Crested Gecko and Human Interaction

The biggest threat to these geckos in the wild is the introduction of an invasive species, the little fire ant. The ants both attack the lizards themselves, and they compete for insect prey. Their wild populations are still being assessed to determine how much of a threat this poses.

Domestication

Crested geckos have not been kept in human care for a long enough period to even begin to become domesticated.

Does the Crested Gecko Make a Good Pet

These reptiles are commonly kept as pets, but as with any other cold-blooded animal, they require some specialized care. Always do your research before purchasing a pet. These relatively fragile creatures should be handled with care, and young children should be supervised if they are permitted to handle them.

Crested Gecko Care

These geckos should be provided with an appropriately-sized habitat. They like to climb, so vertical space is extremely important, as is a variety of branches and plants. Daytime and nighttime temperature ranges are different, and must be adjusted accordingly.

Humidity should also be kept consistent based on the recommendation of your breeder or veterinarian. Fresh water should be provided at all times, and your gecko should be fed nightly. A commercial crested gecko food is available, and treats of crickets, mealworms, and baby food, can be provided.

Behavior of the Crested Gecko

During the daytime, these geckos retreat to branches high in the canopy, and crawl into well-hidden spots to rest. They are nocturnal, and emerge at night to search for food.

Hiding during the day is important, as they do not have the same regenerative abilities as other geckos, and cannot regrow their tails. Their diet is more varied than most geckos, and they will feed on both insects and fruits while foraging.

Reproduction of the Crested Gecko

While scientists know very little about their breeding habits in the wild, in captivity these creatures reproduce quite successfully. After mating, the female lays two eggs. She can retain the sperm from mating and keep producing eggs for nearly a year. The eggs will hatch between two and three months after they are laid.

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Crested Gecko - Description, Habitat, Image, Diet, and Interesting Facts

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Everything you should know about the Crested Gecko. The Crested Gecko is a lizard with an eyelash-like ridge over its eyes.

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COMMON NAME: Crested Gecko

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Correlophus ciliatus

TYPE: Reptile

DIET: Omnivore

AVERAGE LIFE SPAN: 15 - 20 years

SIZE: 6 - 8 inches

WEIGHT: 35 grams (average)

About Crested Geckos

The crested gecko or eyelash gecko (Correlophus ciliatus) is a species of gecko native to southern New Caledonia. In 1866, a French zoologist named Alphone Guichenot first described the crested gecko. An expedition in 1994, led by Robert Seipp, rediscovered this species. Along with several Rhacodactylus species, it is being considered for protected status by the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna. It is popular in the pet trade.

Size and Behaviour

Crested geckos do not have eyelids. Instead, a transparent scale, or spectacle, keeps each eye moist, and the geckos use their tongues to clear away debris. Like the closely related Rhacodactylus geckos, crested geckos have webbed legs and digits. They are a mostly arboreal species, preferring to inhabit the canopy of the New Caledonian rainforests, and because of this they can jump considerably well. They are primarily nocturnal, and will generally spend the daylight hours sleeping in secure spots in high branches. Crested geckos are, however, less strong climbers than tokay gecko.

The crested gecko - unlike the closely related gargoyle gecko (Rhacodactylus auriculatus) - will not regrow its tail once lost. The cells around the base of the tail are brittle, allowing the tail to break away when threatened or caught by a predator. The capillaries to the tail will close almost instantly, so there is little to no blood loss. The tails will move independently of the body for 2-5 minutes. The loss of their tail is not problematic, and most adults in the wild do not have their tails.

Diet & Nutrition

Crested Geckos are omnivores, and may be even be considered frugivorous. They feed on a variety of insects and fruit. In captivity, they should be fed a commercially prepared, fruit-based diet with live feeder insects as a supplement. An unbalanced diet containing insufficient calcium can quickly lead to metabolic bone disease (MBD).

Crested Geckos are very long-lived. While they have not been kept in captivity long enough for a definitive life span determination, they have been kept for 15-20 years or more. They can be kept healthy on specially prepared powder diets with sufficient calcium and other nutrients.

Considering Adopting a Crested Gecko?

Call or visit your local Reptilia Facility to learn how you can adopt one of these amazing reptiles.

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COMMON NAME: Crested Gecko SCIENTIFIC NAME: Correlophus ciliatus TYPE: Reptile DIET: Omnivore AVERAGE LIFE SPAN: 15 - 20 years SIZE: 6 - 8 inches WEIGHT: 35 grams (average) The crested gecko or eyelash gecko (Correlophus ciliatus) is a species of gecko native to southern New Caledonia.

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How to care for your crested gecko. Dietary needs for your class pet.

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In this complete food guide, we will be covering everything you need to know to feed your pet Crested Gecko, from prepared diets to insects and more!

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Understanding the dietary needs of crested geckos - from fruits to insects, learn what constitutes a balanced diet for these unique creatures.

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This Gecko was thought to be extinct until 1994, when several relatively large, thriving populations were found on the islands of New Caledonia.

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Find out how to set up an ecosystem tank that replicates the natural habitat of crested geckos, ensuring they live a happy and healthy life.

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The Crested Gecko Habitat: What Is the Best Tank Setup?

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There’s an underappreciated reason crested geckos make fantastic captives... They can be kept in functional or natural-looking habitats. Find out more >

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Learn about the benefits of incorporating live plants into the enclosure of a crested gecko and which types are best suited for their environment.

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There are few things as sad as a crested gecko whose tank contents consist of nothing more than a hide and water and food bowls! Did you know that you can even use real plants in your crested gecko's tank? There are so many you can use - and they look a lot better than nothing or even plastic plants.
There is a very wide variety of real plants that you can choose from for your crested gecko's tank. All of the ones described on our list are safe to use for your crestie - from the popular pothos and bird's eye fern to the creeping fig and goosefoot.
Here's our list of awesome plants that are perfect for your crested gecko's tank; from angel vine to zebra plant. Keep reading to find out how to choose the best plants and also which plants you should never put in a crested gecko's tank.

But first, let's look at the pros and cons of using live plants instead of fake plants for your crested gecko.

The Pros And Cons Of Using Real Or Fake Plants In Your Crested Gecko's Tank

Using Real Plants For Your Crested Gecko

Your crestie will get a more natural habitat to live in

Some plants need a lot of TLC

They will have a lot of space to exercise and explore - especially if you change the setup when you deep clean the tank

You have to water them relatively often, which means that you need to keep a closer eye on the tank 's humidity

You will spend more time with your crestie while keeping their forever home neat and tidy

You need to prune them often to ensure that they don't take over the tank.

If they do chew on a leaf or two, they won't be ingesting fabric or plastic

You need to know which plants are safe and which are toxic to cresties

Using Fake Plants For Your Crested Gecko

You don't have to water them, which makes it easier to keep the tank 's humidity stable

They may ingest some of the fabric or plastic by accident

You don't have to prune them

They can become tatty after a while

You don't have to worry about them taking over the tank because they grow fast

If you need a bigger plant, you need to buy a bigger one instead of simply waiting for it to grow

You can easily rearrange the plants without them dying

Your crestie can get bored with the plants because they always look the same

24 Plants That Are Safe To Use In Crested Gecko Tanks

Here is an alphabetical list of the plants that are safe to use in crested gecko tanks, including details about each plant's size, upkeep, and more.

A native of New Zealand, the creeping wire vine/angel vine has long, wiry tendrils and small, delicate leaves that makes it ideal as a filler for a crested gecko tank.

Angel vines like humidity, which means that they'll thrive in a crested gecko tank. Water it once to twice a week, but make sure that the water drains well.

Angel vines prefer indirect light, so don't plant them in the warmest part of the tank where the basking spot or other heat source is. (If you are using heat mats, that is a different story, but we'll come to that later in this article.)

You'll also need to trim the angel vine relatively often, as the tendrils can grow to be more than 12 feet long if left to themselves.

Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)

The bird's nest fern is a beautiful bright green fern that has large leaves that make for ideal hiding spots for when your crested gecko wants to cool down a bit.

As it likes the level of humidity in the cresties' tanks and prefers moist soil, it's best planted away from the basking spot and next to the cool hide.

The leaves of this fern can grow to be quite large, so you'll need to prune it to keep it from getting too big for the tank. It's not as fast-growing as many of the other plants on this list, however.

Bromeliads come in a wide variety of colors and can be used to great effect in your crested gecko's tank. They're especially handy when you want to add pops of color and they're also easy to grow in a tank as they naturally grow on the sides of trees.

You can give them a cork or bark base to grow on and to stabilize them for when your crestie climbs around on them.

Great bromeliad additions to your crested gecko tank includes:

The Chinese evergreen is a fast-growing, beautiful plant that has green and white leaves. It is sturdy enough for your crested gecko to climb on and makes a great focal point when planted at the back of the tank.

Just remember that the Chinese evergreen likes humidity but doesn't like too much water, so make sure that the soil dries out a bit between watering.

As far as low-maintenance crestie plants go, this is one of the plants that you can mostly just leave alone and prune when necessary.

The concinna prayer plant - so called because the leaves open and close in the morning and evening like hands in prayer - has dark, waxy leaves and thrives in a humid environment.

The prayer plant does need more TLC than some of the other plants on this list and, when watering, make sure that you keep the well-draining soil moist, but the leaves dry.

This creeper is ideal for use at the back of the tank and it forms a mat-like tangle of vines that your crested gecko can climb around on. It also "sticks" to just about any surface, making it an ideal backdrop or filler plant for any crestie tank.

When we say it thrives in humid conditions, we actually mean that you'll need to trim this creeper very often to keep it in check and not let it take over the whole tank. It's an unbelievably fast grower.

This smallish tree with its fanned clusters of leaves (hence "umbrella") and sturdy trunk is ideal for crested gecko clambering and climbing. It enjoys the humidity of the crested gecko tank and is easy to keep trimmed down to size.

Plant it on the cooler side of the tank and let the soil dry out a bit before each watering as they don't like too much water.

Elephant ears have large leaves on sturdy stalks that are excellent for cresties to climb and bask on. While the plant is usually dark green with silver-white veins, some of the types of elephant ears do come in other colors.

It should be noted that the elephant ear needs quite a lot of TLC and isn't a great plant for beginners to have in a crestie's tank. Keep it moist and make sure that it doesn't get direct light and it should grow quite well in your crested gecko's tank.

Another awesome - and quite easy to take care of - plant for your crested gecko's tank, is the goosefoot or arrowhead plant. Its leaves are usually green and white, but new varieties also have pink in the leaves, making it even more attractive.

Tip: If you're looking for the goosefoot variety that contains pink, ask for the "Pink Syngonium" and "Neon Robusta" varieties.

Although this plant is really easy to grow, it does require quite a bit of maintenance as it's a fast grower that loves to spread out.

With some help from dried bamboo to grow against and around, you can make a great vertical climbing surface for your crested gecko.

Goosefoot prefers indirect light and should be allowed to dry a bit between watering. Water about once or twice a week, depending on the size of the plant - the larger the plant, the more thirsty it'll be.

The jade jewel plant is another favorite for crested gecko tanks. Its large leaves may seem floppy, but they're actually large enough and sturdy enough for a crested gecko to climb around on.

It also tolerates different levels of light well, so you can plant it anywhere in the tank without a problem.

Unlike some vivarium plants, the jade jewel is slow-growing, meaning that you won't need to give it that much TLC even if your crestie is climbing about on it the whole day. Also, make sure that the soil that your jade jewel is planted in drains well.

The lemon button fern gets its name from its lemon scent and leaf shape. However, this plant is more for hiding and for show as the stems aren't strong enough for your crestie to climb on.

The fern should also grow well if you keep it moist (but not wet) and keep it trimmed so it doesn't take over the tank. Plant it more on the cool side of the tank as well, and not on the warm side or close to the basking spot.
It is safe to use lucky bamboo in a crested gecko's tank. You can also use bamboo canes (dried) in the tank to give your crestie extra items to climb on and explore. Some of the available bamboo are fitted with suckers so that they can be fastened to the sides of the tank.
These are easy to clean as well!

Lucky bamboo (which is actually a type of grass!), which is native to Africa, makes an ideal structural plant and focal point for your crested gecko's tank. They can often be bought in twisted shapes, which makes the plant look even more amazing.

These succulent-like plants are ideal for your crested gecko to climb on and can serve as a "ladder" between plants of different heights in your crestie's tank. Avoid giving the lucky bamboo too much direct light. Water the plant about once a week, keeping it moist.

The Snake Plant /Mother-in-law's tongue has straight, sword-shaped leaves that are green and creamy-white. It's low-maintenance, but grows to a large and tall size; therefore they should only be planted in large crested gecko tanks.

Although your crestie won't be able to climb around on the snake plant, it does serve as a great hiding place and can always be used as a focal point at the back of your crested gecko's tank.

The peace lily is able to thrive in many different temperatures and light and isn't toxic to crested geckos, which make them ideal for crestie tanks and then also for beginner live plant keepers.

When using the peace lily in your crested gecko's tank, keep it trimmed and make sure you don't overwater it. Due to the humidity in the tank, it should need less water than if it was used as a normal houseplant.

The striking petra has variegated foliage that will add immediate color to your crested gecko's tank. The broad leaves and sturdy trunk will give your crestie endless fun and when kept pruned, it won't take up too much space.

Because of the petra's size, it should be planted at the back of the tank to serve as structure for the rest of the plants. You can even trail some sturdy vines over and around the branches. Be sure to let the soil dry out a bit between watering.

Pillow moss really looks like their name implies and these squishy cushions are ideal for your crested gecko's tank as they not only look great, but also keep moisture locked in and in that way help to keep the tank humid.

Your crestie can also nibble on the moss - and some cresties really like doing that.

If you're looking to add some bright color to your crested gecko's tank, the pink quill with its bright pink stems and purple blooms is ideal. You won't have to worry about the purple flowers; as they aren't harmful to your crestie.

They also won't wilt in the humid environment of your crestie's tank.

Pothos/Devil's Ivy (Epipremnum aureum)

The pothos or devil's ivy is a rapid-growing vine that has bright green leaves. Low growing, it makes for excellent hiding places for your crested gecko when they want to escape the heat for a while.

This is one of the most popular plants for crested geckos and looks really good when planted more to the side of the tank as this also gives its vines space to grow.

Although pothos mostly provide shelter, its low vines are ideal for your crestie to clamber on.

Rabbit's Foot Fern (Davallia/Humana tyermanii)

The rabbit's foot fern is a beautiful, light green fern that grows about 5" tall. It can be planted as a terrestrial or grown as an epiphyte (grown on another plant like a weeping fig or dwarf umbrella tree).

Its rhizomes are furry and silver-white in color, and, when planted on a darker plant or pot, will look striking. The rabbit's foot fern should remain moist, but not wet. Plant it away from direct light as well.

Radiator plants only grow to about a foot tall, making them the ideal size for a crested gecko's tank. They also only need minimal TLC - unlike some of the fast-growing plants on our list.

The dark green-black leaves of the radiator plant can look very striking when planted between the light and lime green leaves of ferns, goosefoot, etc. Give it indirect light and keep it moist, but not wet.

Spider plants are very adaptable and will make a great addition to your crested gecko's tank. They aren't that fast growing, so you won't have to trim them too often, but spider plants do need well-draining soil otherwise they are prone to root rot.

Most spider plants are white and green, although there are now also variegated varieties that are just as easy to care for.

The weeping fig is more there for making your crested gecko's tank look good than it is for giving your crestie a tree to climb around in. You should also choose an older weeping fig that already has a thick trunk.

Your crestie will be able to climb up the trunk, so ensure that you arrange the tank so that they can also clamber around the tank from there using ledges, hammocks, bamboo, etc.

Not to be confused with the prayer plant, this native of Brazil can grow quite large (6ft. x 3ft.) and is only suitable for the largest of crested gecko tanks.

Some of the varieties have leaves striped in yellow or pink, making them even more striking as a display piece in your crestie's tank.

Keep your zebra plant in check through trimming and give it indirect or diffused light to thrive. Don't overwater it, and check that the soil drains well.

It also helps to maintain the humidity in the tank. Your crested gecko will love exploring this tree with its giant leaves!

11 Plants You Should Never Put In A Crested Gecko's Tank

Begonias (Begonia)

Braken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum)

Calla lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica)

Cycads

Dumbcane (Dieffenbachia)

Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis)

Ivy (Hedera spp.)

Mistletoe (Phoradendron villosum)

Philodendrons

Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)

Voodoo lily (Dracunculus vulgaris)

All these plants are either not a good fit for a crested gecko tank or they can be poisonous or dangerous in other ways to your crested gecko.

Still, that is no problem at all since we showed you that there are more than enough plants that are a good fit for your crestie tank.

How To Choose Which Plants To Use In Your Crested Gecko Tank

Having this long list of plants that you can use in your crested gecko's tank can be quite overwhelming - especially since (unless you have a gigantic tank) you won't be able to use them all at once.

However, there is a relatively simple way to choose which plants are the best for your crested gecko.

First of all, you need to take into account the age of your crested gecko and then you need to take into account the size of your crested gecko's tank.

The Age Of Your Crested Gecko

Although your crested gecko will always want to climb, you can rather opt for smaller plants while your crestie is a baby or juvenile.

Once they've reached adulthood, you can then change up the tank a bit and add larger plants like the dwarf umbrella tree, zebra plant, etc.

A baby crested gecko can hide beneath smaller plants and thinner vines and stems are able to support their weight. If you use smaller plants like angel vine, you will also be able to find them easier!

An adult crested gecko will then need larger plants to support their weight when they climb around and go exploring. They will love petras, elephant ears, mother-in-law's tongue, and bird's nest fern.

The Size Of Your Crested Gecko's Tank

When choosing a tank for your crested gecko, always choose a vertical one rather than a horizontal one. This is because cresties love to clamber and climb.

To only give them a horizontal tank means that they won't get the exercise that they need to stay healthy. It can also lead to stress because they don't have enough space.

A crested gecko's tank must preferably measure 18″ x 18″ x 24″. This will not only give them enough floor space to move around in, but will also have enough space to add a number of plants and pieces of wood for them to climb on as well as their hides and basking spot.

A completed setup of a crested gecko's tank should leave half of the tank's space open for your crested gecko. Therefore, make sure that you trim and prune the plants back as they grow so that they don't take over and fill the whole tank.

Note! Make sure that you only use sterilized wood in your crested gecko's tank. This will ensure that you don't bring any pests or diseases into your crestie's tank by accident.

Can You Use Potted Plants In Crested Gecko Tanks?

Yes, you can use potted plants in your crested gecko's tank - as long as you're using plants that are safe for crested geckos, like those on our list above.

If you do decide to use potted plants, you should ensure that you use good-quality pots instead of just any old container.

One of our favorite types of pots to use in crested gecko tanks are terracotta pots. These pots are not only hard-wearing, but they also retain moisture much better than plastic pots.

As most of the plants that are used in crested gecko tanks need to remain moist, using clay pots like these are ideal.

Using pots also makes it a lot easier to remove the plants when you're cleaning your crested gecko's tank (without killing them in the process) as well as giving you ample chances to rearrange your crestie's tank.

Start with small pots and then get larger pots as needed, hiding them in the substrate, behind hides, etc.

Tip: When a plant in your crested gecko's tank becomes too big, you can always just remove it and keep it either as a house plant or plant it in your garden.

Using A Heat Mat When You Have Real Plants In Your Crested Gecko's Tank

An important thing to note when using real plants in your crested gecko's tank, is that you cannot then place a heat mat underneath the tank.

Although heat mats are often put underneath a tank in order to get the right temperature, the plants may die because their root systems get too hot (it's normally cooler beneath the soil).

If you want to or need to use a heat mat in your setup as well, you will need to place it on the side of the tank. This will ensure that the heat is still added and distributed where it needs to be in the tank, but without harming the plants.

You should also make sure that you really need to use a heat mat for your crested gecko before buying one.

Why You Should Know Your Plants' Maximum Temperature And Humidity Tolerance

When you're choosing plants for your crested gecko's tank, you need to know whether or not your plant likes cooler or warmer temperatures and what its humidity requirements are as this is how you'll know where in the tank to plant them.

For example, you will need to plant ferns on the cool side of the tank where they can stay moist for longer. You can also plant the larger plants at the back of the tank with smaller or low-growing plants in the middle and front of the tank.

Plants that are more succulent-like can then be planted on the warmer side of the tank or close to the basking spot. You can also use the basking spot for plants that require direct light.

You also have to keep in mind that the plants you use in your crested gecko's tank are used to high humidity (just like your crestie).

However, with the use of real plants in a crested gecko's tank, the humidity can fluctuate more than with fake plants. You, therefore, need to keep a close eye on your hygrometer - especially just after watering the plants.

Tip!If you use real plants in your crested gecko's tank, make sure that you get a good quality hygrometer that will give you ongoing accurate measurements.

Plants' Maximum Temperatures, Recommended Placement, and Watering Schedule

Lucky Bamboo

95°F | 35°C

50% or higher

Can be planted anywhere in the tank, but looks really nice forming a "background".

Mist often with distilled water/tap water standing more than 24 hours.

What To Do If The Humidity In Your Crested Gecko Tank Gets Too High

If you find that the humidity in your crested gecko's tank gets too high, the first thing to do is not to panic.

If you've just misted the tank and closed it again, the humidity will be very high (in the region of 80% or so) for a while. This is normal and you just need to keep an eye on the hygrometer to ensure that the humidity range goes back to normal within a few hours.

However, if it's not a matter of having just misted the tank, or the humidity doesn't go down, the easiest and fastest way to lower the humidity is to open the tank for a bit.

You don't have to keep it open long or even open it completely. Just letting some of the drier air in the room into the tank will ensure that you drop the humidity inside the tank. Just be careful not to let the humidity get too low!

Tip! If you find that the humidity of the tank stays high, you may be misting the tank too often. Cut back on the amount of water you're using and keep checking the hygrometer to see if the humidity stabilises at the correct level.

How To Choose A Healthy Plant For Your Crested Gecko's Tank

Choosing the best plants for your crested gecko's tank is also about choosing the healthiest plants as these will not only look good, but will also be more likely to survive if you don't have a very green thumb. When you look for plants to buy, keep the following in mind:

The leaves should be a healthy color - whether that is green or another color

The stems should be healthy and not soft or black as this is a sign of disease or over-watering

The root system should be well-developed when you remove it from its original pot to replant it for the tank.

Is A Crested Gecko Plant Kit Any Good?

Whether a crested gecko plant kit is good or not usually depends on the supplier as some suppliers may not have very healthy plants. If you can't look at the plants yourself before choosing which ones to buy, you need to make sure that you only buy from a reputable supplier.

Also, make sure that you get a good variety of plants that will not only look good but - even more important - fit in your crested gecko's tank once they start growing.

You would also want plants that are both fast and slow-growing in order to make it easier for you to keep everything trimmed and not have them take over the whole tank.

Many of the gecko plant kits suppliers choose the plants for you, so while you have an idea of what you'll get, the plants may be more of a "luck of the draw" regarding type and even health.

You also won't be able to choose the size of the plants, making it difficult to know exactly where to plant them.

If you are a beginner, however, choosing to take a crested gecko plant kit from a trusted supplier may be a very good idea as it will simply make it easier to set up the tank.

How To Water The Plants In Your Crested Gecko's Tank

To water the plants in your crested gecko's tank, simply fill a clean spray bottle or mister with either distilled water or tap water that has stood for at least 24 hours.

This will give the chemicals in the water time to evaporate. Then, taking care not to use too much water, spritz some or all of the plants in the tank.

Some plants may need to be watered more thoroughly once per month. To do this, water the plants when you clean the whole tank once per month.

While you're cleaning the tank the water can then drain from the soil in the plants' pots. You can then start misting the plants again when the soil starts to dry out.

Conclusion

Giving your crested gecko a more realistic natural tank setup can be very good for their overall health, as it will give them ample stimulation and exercise when they climb around on the branches and plants.

Keeping the plants that you've added to the tank in check will also give you more time to spend with your crested gecko - so enjoy it!

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24 Plants That Are Perfect For Crested Gecko Tanks

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There are few things as sad as a crested gecko whose tank contents consist of nothing more than a hide and water and food bowls! Did you know that you can even use real plants in your crested gecko's tank?

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Dive into the reasons behind the soft skin of crested geckos and how it helps them in their natural habitat.

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Crested geckos are a low-maintenance pet and are well-suited for children or novice lizard owners who have little time to devote to their daily care. One of their distinctive features is their eyelashes, which is why they are sometimes called eyelash geckos.

Crested geckos come in a wide array of colors and markings (morphs). They get their name from the fringed crest that begins over their eyes and runs down their necks and backs, though the size of the crest varies.

These lizards hail from New Caledonia, an island country off the coast of Australia. They were once thought to be extinct but were "rediscovered" around 1994. Since then, their popularity as pets has continually increased.

Learn more about the crested gecko:

Species Overview

Crested Gecko Behavior and Temperament

Crested geckos usually have relatively docile temperaments, though they are a bit skittish and care is required when handling. In fact, crested geckos don't usually like to be held, so avoid it if possible. They may try to jump away from you, which can injure them. Crested geckos may drop their tails if handled roughly or in an attempt to get away. Unlike other geckos, they will not regenerate their tails.

They will only bite if they feel threatened. Bites are startling, but they don't hurt and they're not strong enough to cause bleeding.

Crested geckos love to climb. They have specialized toe pads that allow them to move along vertical surfaces effortlessly, and their prehensile tails-which can grasp objects-add to their agility. They're also excellent jumpers.

A 20-gallon terrarium is sufficient for an adult, but a larger tank is better. Crested geckos are arboreal, active, and need lots of vertical space for climbing, so a tall tank is preferred. Two or three crested geckos can be housed in a tall 29-gallon terrarium. Male crested geckos are territorial, so keep only one male per tank. You can use a glass terrarium with a screened side for ventilation, but some keepers prefer screened enclosures.

Crested geckos need room to climb, so provide a mix of branches, driftwood, cork bark, bamboo, and vines at a variety of heights and orientations. Add a variety of silk or sturdy live plants such as Epipremnum (pothos), Philodendron, Dracaena, and Ficus as the geckos will hide in the plants for cover.

Every day, you will need to remove all uneaten food and spot clean to remove feces. Clean the entire terrarium and its decorations at least once a month using reptile-safe disinfectants. You will need to replace the substrate weekly or monthly-depending on the material-to prevent bacterial growth.

As cold-blooded creatures, all reptiles need to regulate their body temperature. A daytime temperature gradient of 72-80 degrees Fahrenheit (22 to 26.5 degrees Celsius) should be provided for crested geckos. At night, 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 24 degrees Celsius) is necessary.

Crested geckos get stressed at higher temperatures, so monitor temperature gauges to make sure the cage doesn't overheat. A low-wattage red nighttime bulb makes a good heat source, and it also allows you to view the lizards at night when they are most active. Do not rest a heat source on the top of the tank as these climbing geckos could get too close and get burned.

Crested geckos are nocturnal; technically, they do not need special UVB lighting. However, some experts suggest that a low level of UVB lighting (about 5%) is beneficial for overall reptile health. Remember: Any added lighting will raise the temperature in the enclosure. If you add lighting, provide a gecko hideaway, so they can get away from the light if they want.

Crested geckos need a moderate to high humidity level of about 50-70%. Get a hygrometer (humidity gauge) to monitor levels daily. Provide humidity with regular misting with warm, filtered water.

Depending on your cage setup, you may need to mist it a few times a day to keep the humidity up. Always make sure the cage is well-misted at night when the geckos are most active. If you are not around during the day or cannot physically mist the enclosure, get an automatic mister or fogger to add humidity to the cage at timed intervals.

Specific Substrate Needs

Most pet owners use a substrate to line the bottom of the cage. When selecting a substrate for a gecko, consider pet safety, ease of cleaning, and if the substrate aids in retaining humidity. Ideal substrates for a crested gecko are coconut fiber bedding, moss, or peat. You can also use newspaper or paper towels, although these are not as attractive.

Crested geckos are somewhat prone to ingesting substrate while hunting; if this is the case for yours, use sphagnum moss (either alone or over another substrate like coconut fiber) or paper towels. Paper towels are recommended for juveniles as they are more likely to swallow other substrates accidentally.

Although attractive, gravel (or pebbles) is not a suitable substrate because it is difficult to clean thoroughly and regularly. Avoid reptile sand and non-organic soil substrate because these are swallowing hazards.

What Do Crested Geckos Eat & Drink?

Crested geckos will usually eat a commercial diet, and it's the easiest way to ensure a well-balanced, nutritious diet. Supplement that food with crickets and other prey insects (roaches, waxworms, silkworms). Crested geckos shouldn't eat mealworms because they have a hard, undigestible exoskeleton. For variety and to allow the gecko to exercise his hunting instincts, feed as many prey insects at one time as the gecko will eagerly.

The insects should be slightly smaller than the space between the gecko's eyes and should be gut-loaded (fed nutritious foods) before feeding to your lizard. To boost your reptile's vitamin and mineral intake, dust the insects with a calcium/vitamin D3 powdered supplement three times a week. You can dust prey items with a multivitamin powder supplement once a week as well.

Crested geckos will eat fruit several times a week. Favorites include bananas, peaches, nectarines, apricots, papaya, mangoes, pears, and passion fruit.

If you have difficulty finding a commercial gecko diet, provide a combination of insect prey items and fruit. This option is not the most balanced diet, but it will suffice for a short period. In this case, your best insect choice is crickets with the occasional addition of other insects for variety.

Provide a small shallow water dish with fresh water daily, though they will likely prefer to drink water droplets from leaves in the humid habitat. Because they are nocturnal, crested geckos eat in the evening. Feed juveniles daily and adults three times a week.

Common Health Problems

Geckos are prone to a few health problems that are treatable by an exotic pet veterinarian.

Mouth rot or stomatitis: Signs include excess mucus and redness around the mouth

Respiratory infection: Symptoms are wheezing or drooling

Skin issues: A rash, symptomatic of a parasitic infection; uneven or difficulty shedding which may be caused by inadequate enclosure humidity

Purchasing or Adopting Your Crested Gecko

Crested geckos are commonly sold, mainly because they are so easy to care for and have such sunny dispositions compared to other lizards. Even though they're widely available at pet stores, try to get your crested gecko from a reputable breeder. You can expect to pay $40 to $150 for a crested gecko; the price increases with the rarity of the color or morph.

When picking out your gecko, make sure your gecko can climb well, has a straight spine, and no visible ribs or pelvic bones. They should appear lively and alert with bright eyes, as well as a clean nose and vent (fecal opening).

Different Species of Geckos

If you're interested in other geckos, check out:

Yes. They're easy to care for, and they're more agreeable than some other lizards. That makes them great for first-time lizard owners. Just know you shouldn't pick them up, and they're nocturnal.

You should plan on a crested gecko living for at least 10 years, maybe even reaching 20 years old if the lizard is healthy.

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Crested geckos are personable, low-maintenance pets suitable for novice lizard owners. Learn how to care for, house, and feed these popular reptiles.

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Unravel the mystery behind the jumping behavior of crested geckos and what entices them to leap from spot to spot.

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The Unique Ability of Crested Geckos to Lick Their Eyes

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The Unique Ability of Crested Geckos to Lick Their Eyes

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Discover how and why crested geckos lick their eyes, including the anatomy of their long tongue.

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One of the interesting facts about crested geckos is that they don't have eyelids. So, they can't close their eyes. As a crested gecko owner, you'll quickly see that your crestie licks its eyeballs (a lot). But they not only will lick themselves but also you. So why does a crested gecko lick you?
Crested geckos are curious and explore their environment with their tongues. It will explore you (your skin) by licking it. The reason for this might be that your skin smells of food or that it contains salty sweat. This is different from licking their eyeballs to moisten them and remove debris.
A crested gecko will not only lick you but will mostly lick itself. The most common thing you'll notice is that it licks its eyeballs. But crested geckos will also lick other objects like plants and the glass sides of a terrarium. Lastly, a male crested gecko will sometimes lick its hemipenis.
In this article, you'll learn how a crested gecko's tongue is used to taste and smell. You'll also learn more about the reasons why they lick you and themselves.
If you're interested in stickers or other products of crested geckos, you can always visit our Etsy Shop, which is called Artful Animalia. We currently only send stickers in the United States. If you're interested in certain crested gecko-related products, don't hesitate to contact us.

This site contains affiliate links to products we recommend and use ourselves. We may receive a commission for purchases that you make through these links. If you're interested in learning more about our affiliate links, please visit our (affiliate) disclaimer.

How Do Crested Geckos Taste With Their Tongues?

Crested geckos have an organ, the Jacobson's organ, on the roof of their mouth. This organ is part of the olfactory system of a crested gecko. As your gecko licks something (like you), odor particles will come from outside into their mouth. The particles can be moisture or airborne.

When the particles reach Jacobson's organ, the chemical compounds will bind with receptor molecules. In turn, sensory messages will be sent to the brain of your crested gecko. This will allow your gecko to interpret the tastes.

Crested Geckos Licks

Why does a crested gecko lick you?

A crested gecko will lick you because it is curious and interested in its surroundings' taste and smell. There are several possible reasons why your crested gecko licks you, but the most common reasons are:

wet or sweaty skin: crested geckos lick water from plants and other objects in their terrarium to drink. Some geckos won't even touch a water bowl. For example, if your skin is wet after bathing, your gecko may lick you like it would lick water from a plant.

interesting smell or taste: crested geckos are sometimes picky eaters and they know what they like. You might have handled fruit or other tasty food that has left a residue on your skin. Your crested gecko can smell this and might want to lick you to get a taste.

Don't misinterpret the licking as a form of affection. Unlike other pets, reptiles don't have the complex ability to show affection or emotions.

It can be easy to think that licking is a sign of your crested gecko being loving and tender. But this is far from the truth. Your crested gecko is determining your taste.

Don't be afraid, crested geckos will seldom bite you and usually know that you're not food. Even if a crested gecko would bite, it would hardly hurt.

Crested geckos do have many small teeth but their bite can be compared more to that of fish than that of other reptiles, like snakes.

Why does a crested gecko lick its surroundings?

Your crested gecko will lick not only you but also its surroundings. And just like its the case with licking you, licking its surroundings (air, plants, glass) is solely your gecko being curious. A crestie will want to see if the object is edible and lick it to confirm this.

When the object is wet, the licking is also a way to drink. In their natural habitat, there are no water bowls. Wild crested geckos will usually drink by licking up water droplets on plants. This is why it's recommended to mist the plants so your crested gecko can lick the droplets.

Why does a crested gecko lick itself?

Licking the eyeballs

As soon as you get a crested gecko, you'll see that it lick its eyeballs. Crested geckos don't have eyelids and can't close their eyes as we do. This means that they have to sleep with their eyes open and that dust and other small particles can end up on the eyeball.

Crested geckos lick their eyes to moisten them and to remove small particles from the eye. Crested geckos don't have eyelids, so their eyes aren't protected from these particles like our eyes. Your gecko isn't licking the eyeball itself but a transparent membrane on it.

If you notice that your crested gecko doesn't do this, you should seek a vet's advice. It can be a sign of stress and is not normal behavior.

Licking the hemipenis (genitals)

Male crested geckos will lick not only their eyes but also their hemipenis, their genitals. Licking of the hemipenis can indicate that they want to mate, but it can also just be your gecko cleaning its genitals.

When your male crested gecko has mated, it can also lick the hemipenis. Licking the hemipenis in such a case is a way to make it easier to retract the hemipenis.

Why is my crested gecko staring at me?

Crested geckos are prey animals and have the instinctive behavior to be alert to danger. When they hear a sound or see something, they can stare at it to determine if they're in danger. Staring at you is a way for your crested gecko to see if you make sudden (threatening) movements so it can react.

Can crested geckos close their eyes?

Crested geckos can't close their eyes or wink. They will sleep with their eyes open and it can be difficult to determine if your gecko is sleeping or awake. Sleeping crested geckos will have their crests down and have small slit pupils.

Want to Learn More?

If you want to learn more about crested geckos as pets, please read the following articles.

If you're interested in getting crested geckos as pets you should also definitely read our article about baby and juvenile crested gecko care or (adult) crested gecko care.

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Why Does A Crested Gecko Lick You, Itself and Other Objects?

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Crested geckos lick their eyeballs and sometimes will even lick you. But why do crested geckos lick you, themselves, and other objects?

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Diversity in Crested Geckos: Sizes and Colors

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Diversity in Crested Geckos: Sizes and Colors

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Learn about the genetic factors that lead to the varied sizes and colors of crested geckos and what they mean for their care.

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Explore the importance of humidity for crested geckos and how to properly maintain it in their tanks.

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Crested geckos are subtropical lizards and prefer a humid terrarium. Contrary to popular belief, they're not tropical lizards that require high temperatures and extremely high humidity. But humidity does play an important role in the life of a crested gecko and shouldn't be neglected.
Crested geckos need a relative humidity of 70 to 80 percent in captivity. An average humidity higher than 80 percent will cause health problems in the long run. An average humidity lower than 50 percent will cause dehydration and shedding problems.
Like temperature and lighting, good humidity is something that isn't set in stone. There are a lot of factors that come into play. So whether the relative humidity is 65 percent or 70 percent doesn't matter that much. It would be best if you aimed to get an average humidity that falls in the ideal range, but humidity will need to fluctuate throughout the day.

If you're interested in stickers or other products of crested geckos, you can always visit our Etsy Shop, which is called Artful Animalia. We currently only send stickers in the United States. If you're interested in certain crested gecko-related products, don't hesitate to contact us.
In this article, you'll learn what a good humidity level is for crested geckos and how to create an environment for your cresties that's not too humid and not too dry. Many factors determine if you can keep the humidity at a decent level, and you'll learn how to use each one.
This site contains affiliate links to products we recommend and use ourselves. We may receive a commission for purchases that you make through these links. If you're interested in learning more about our affiliate links, please visit our (affiliate) disclaimer.

Do Crested Geckos Need Humid Vivaria?

Natural environment

Crested geckos are native to the south of New Caledonia. Populations of crested geckos are found in three separate locations:

Isle of Pines

Blue River (Grande Terre)

south of Mount Dzumac (Grande Terre)

To determine whether or not crested geckos need a humid terrarium and how humid it should be, we have to look at the humidity levels in their natural habitat. As you can see in de table below, New Caledonia has an average relative humidity of around 76 percent, with peaks of 80 percent in the wet season and lows of 70 percent in the dry season.

The humidity in New Caledonia changes throughout the day, just as in the rest of the world. The humidity can get as low as 50 percent from the morning until the afternoon. However, when night comes, the humidity levels generally rise and reach up to 90 percent. A lot of factors play a role in creating these humidity levels.

Why is humidity important for crested geckos?

Crested geckos are used to high humidity levels and have adapted to live in a humid environment. Humidity plays a vital role in the life of a crested gecko and is essential to keep your crested gecko happy and healthy. In particular, it's important because:

it helps a crested gecko to shed properly

your crested gecko needs to stay hydrated and high humidity helps with this

Many shedding problems are caused by dehydration and an average low humidity level in the terrarium. You can easily avoid these problems when there isn't an underlying health issue.

Humidity Levels for Crested Geckos

What is the ideal humidity for crested geckos?

The ideal (average) humidity levels for crested geckos range from 70 to 80 percent, although crested geckos can tolerate humidity levels of 50 percent. It's even recommended to let the humidity level drop gradually until about 50 percent. This will prevent bacterial and fungal growth in your terrarium.

Although humidity levels above 80 percent are sometimes recommended to help with shedding, they're not ideal. They will hurt your crested gecko's health when you expose them to such high levels for a long time without lowering the humidity.

Measuring the humidity levels

One of the essentials on your shopping list for your crested gecko should be a hygrometer. This is a device that measures the humidity levels in a terrarium. Like a thermometer, a hygrometer tells you what percentage of relative humidity is in the air. There are analog and digital hygrometers. Some brands even have devices that combine a hygrometer and a thermometer.

If you don't know which one to choose, I suggest getting a digital hygrometer or a two-in-one. However, you should be aware that some crested gecko kits, like the habitat kits from Exo Terra, come with an (analog) hygrometer, which is fine.

How To Create a Humid Vivarium

Different factors come into play when creating a humid terrarium. You can easily influence some of these factors while others require more advanced knowledge.

The humidity of a terrarium is determined by:

the type of enclosure

the region you're living in and/or the general humidity in your house

your choice in vivarium plants

the kind of substrate you use

Besides these factors, there's one easy way to quickly and cheaply increase the humidity in a terrarium: misting!

If you got problems creating a high humidity terrarium, you might need to invest some money in a humidifier. However, for most of you, this will probably not be necessary.

The type of enclosure

There are different types of enclosures for crested geckos. If you didn't already choose, it's an excellent idea to read our housing guide to learn the advantages and disadvantages of the different types.

The most popular choices are tanks and terrariums (sometimes called vivariums). These enclosures have the benefit of holding in the humidity well, but you should make sure that there's enough ventilation to lower the humidity levels gradually.

On the other hand, screen or mesh cages are also suitable for crested geckos, but they have a problem keeping the humidity levels reasonably high throughout the day. This is because the water vapor can escape through the mesh and there's ventilation from all sides of the enclosure.
From a humidity standpoint, a terrarium (or vivarium) is the best choice for most of you. It will keep the humidity at ideal levels and most terrariums still have good ventilation.
Vivarium plants

Live vivarium plants and mosses will naturally give off moisture or water vapor while they go through photosynthesis. The process in which water vapor is released into the air is called transpiration. The transpiration of plants is a bit the same as human sweating and the water vapor lets the leaves cool down.

Several factors influence the rate of transpiration:

temperature: when the temperature in a terrarium is high, the rate of transpiration will increase. A hot terrarium with live plants will lead to a naturally more humid terrarium.

humidity: an already humid terrarium will decrease the rate of transpiration of the plants. It's a sort of autoregulation and this process will also cause the humidity to drop less than when there wouldn't be live plants.

ventilation: when there's a lot of ventilation the evapotranspiration rate increases. This is mostly due to the fact that the humidity is lowered by the ventilation. In response, there will be a higher rate of transpiration.

water availability: evapotranspiration uses water and if there isn't a lot of water in the soil there will be no evapotranspiration.

soil type: the soil type determines how much water the soil can hold and how easy the plant can draw water from it. When the ground is covered by vegetation, the rate of transpiration is higher than the evaporation rate from the soil.

plant type: some plants, like succulents, naturally hold onto their water and don't transpire much. Other plants release more water.

Both live and fake plants can be used in a crested gecko terrarium but live plants have a specific benefit in increasing the humidity in the terrarium. Make sure that they're safe to use and don't grow too big.
Substrates

The substrate you choose for your terrarium can significantly influence the humidity. The substrates that have the best retention of moisture and keep the humidity in a terrarium up are:

Misting and humidifiers

Misting

You have probably already heard about the term misting before. It's no different than using a spray bottle to increase the humidity in a terrarium. Misting is an easy and cheap way to increase humidity, especially in dry regions.

You should always watch the hygrometer to guide you with the terrarium's humidity levels, but most people will need to mist in the evening and the morning. The humidity levels should be around 80 to 90 percent in the evening. Let the humidity drop for 12 hours to 50 percent and then mist again.

If you notice that the humidity levels drop faster and reach levels below 50 percent, you need to mist more often with less time in between.

The water you use to mist should be tap water, which contains minerals vital for crested geckos. Never use distilled, softened or filtered water!

Humidifiers

If you don't want to spray each day with a misting bottle or live in a dry area and keep the humidity levels up is a problem, you want to invest in a humidifier. There exist humidifiers for a room or specifically for the enclosure. However, you should be aware that these tank humidifiers aren't cheap and can easily cost more than $100.

Extra Tips

To give you an extra edge when it comes to keeping the ideal humidity levels, you can use the following tips:

never mist directly on the hygrometer: this will cause a wrong reading where the humidity levels are in fact lower than the hygrometer indicates.

use a water bowl: crested geckos don't always drink from a water bowl. Instead, they lick up droplets from the terrarium plants. Still, it's recommended to also give water in a water bowl. The water will slowly evaporate and slightly increase humidity.

mist both the terrarium as the plants: this will allow droplets to form on the leaves and walls of the terrarium. Your crestie can then lick up these droplets.

Want to Learn More?

If you want to learn more about crested geckos as pets, please read the following articles.

If you're interested in getting crested geckos as pets you should also definitely read our article about baby and juvenile crested gecko care or (adult) crested gecko care.

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Humidity Needs of Crested Geckos: Ideal Range and Misting

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Crested geckos originate from a humid region and need the right humidity levels to stay healthy. What humidity do crested geckos need?

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Learn why crested gecko's feet have the unique ability to retract when touched and how it aids in their climbing.

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The interactions between the gecko's feet and the climbing surface are stronger than simple surface area effects. On its feet, the gecko has many microscopic hairs, or setae (singular seta), that increase the Van der Waals forces between its feet and the surface.