Crested Gecko Care – Including Care Sheet

If you’re interested in having a Crested Gecko as your next pet, there are some essential Crested Gecko care factors that you need to learn about.

This simple post will give you all you need to know about Crested Gecko care. I have also included a printable Crested Gecko Care Sheet, which can really help if you are a new lizard owner!

 

Crested Gecko Care

Crested Geckos are relatively small reptiles and don’t need a lot of space. They don’t need to live in huge enclosures. This is a money-saving bonus for you! I recommend purchasing a terrarium which will be big enough for your gecko once they are fully grown.

The perfect size for a fully grown Crested Gecko is at least 20 gallons. Amazon is currently selling a 20-gallon terrarium which costs $193.90!

 

Crested Gecko Lighting

Luckily Crested Gecko care doesn’t involve purchasing a special UVB light as they are nocturnal species. They are not like other reptiles; they don’t need to bask in the sun. However, if you choose not to purchase a light, you will need to place your terrarium in somewhere that gets natural light in the day and no light at night.

If you can’t place the terrarium near natural light, look into purchasing a low-output UVB light. CBREPTILE are selling a Zoo Med 18″ repti sun 5.0 UVB bulb for $19.99.

 

 

Crested Gecko Heating

The perfect temperature for your little Crested Gecko friend is between 72-78ºF. To ensure your Crested Gecko stays happy and healthy, these temperatures are best. If you’re very lucky and live somewhere that is always within this range, you won’t need any heating device. However, for most of you, it might be worth looking into a heat pad or bulb.

For more information, check out Crested Gecko Temperature and Heating Guide.

CBREPTILE are selling a Zoo Med 10 to 20-gallon heat pad for $21.99.

To ensure the temperature stays the same, you will want to have a digital thermometer. It will continuously measure the temperature inside the enclosure. LLLREPTILE are selling a digital thermometer for only $6.99.

Crested Gecko Substrate

Crested Geckos need a substrate which helps maintain humidity. However, you also want a substrate which is easy to clean. Some good substrates are orchard bark, coconut fibre, sphagnum moss and cypress mulch.

On LLLREPTILE they sell different types of substrates which I have priced below for you. The most popular among Crested Gecko owners is the Orchard Bark!

Orchard Bark: $7.59

Coconut Fiber: $6.99

Sphagnum Moss: $5.99

Cypress Mulch: $8.99

You can buy trays which hold the substrate, and this can help when it comes to cleaning your Crested Gecko’s terrarium. It will save you extra hassle! LLLREPTILE offer the trays in four different sizes, small ($8.99), medium ($16.99), large ($18.99) and extra-large ($19.99).

Crested Gecko Furniture

If you want your little friend to be happy it is worth filing their enclosure with fun objects for them to climb on. Items like driftwood, cork bark flats, cork bark tubes, and jungle vines are  perfect for your Crested Gecko’s home. Crested Geckos enjoy exploring, and will appreciate having a lot of hiding spots.

Plants are another great addition. You can use either house live or artificial plants. Live plants tend to be preferred by Crested Gecko owners. Plants need to be strong enough to hold the weight of your gecko. You don’t want the plant to break whilst your Crested Gecko is climbing. I’m sure they wouldn’t be a fan of falling!

If you’re thinking of buying plants for your crestie, you should definitely do have a quick read of Crested Gecko Plants – Top 10 For Their Enclosure.

LLLREPTILE have a variety of furniture, the prices are below:

Driftwood: $9.99

Cork Bark Flat:  $7.99

Cork Bark Tube: $9.59

Jungle Vine: $9.99

 

Crested Gecko Humidity

These are some humid craving creatures; they thrive off humidity, unlike us humans who cannot cope without AC. This means you need to ensure that your Crested Gecko’s enclosure has high humidity, between 60-80%. The best way to do this is by misting the enclosure walls, substrate and furniture with warm water twice a day. A spray bottle will work well to do this.

Pro Tip: leave enough time between mistings to avoid the enclosure becoming soggy. Let’s be real, not you or your Crested Gecko wants to live somewhere damp.

Amazon is selling an 8 oz spray bottle for $4.49.

 

 

Cleaning a Crested Gecko’s Habitat

One of the most important aspects of Crested Gecko care other than feeding is the cleaning process. Keeping the Crested Gecko’s home clean will ensure that they live a long, happy and healthy life in captivity. Because of how humid the enclosure gets, there is a risk of it becoming moldy and causing bacteria to grow. Mold and bacteria can cause health issues.

On a daily basis, you want to do the following:

1. Remove any uneaten food
2. Clean the water bowl
3. Change the water

By doing the daily routine, it means that you only need to do a deep clean of the enclosure at least once a month. The in-depth cleaning process is vital because of the humidity inside of the enclosure.

It is best to use pet-friendly cleaning supplies. The chemicals in regular cleaning supplies could be toxic and harmful to your little friend. I have listed below some pet-friendly cleaning supplies.

Terrarium Cleaner $13.03

Cleaner and deodorizer $12.26

 

How to Clean Your Crestie’s Furniture

Start the cleaning process by removing all the furniture inside the enclosure. Place them into a bowl with the pet-friendly cleaner. It might be worth using a clean brush to ensure that each piece of furniture is thoroughly scrubbed. They should be rinsed and dried before placing back inside the terrarium.

 

How to Clean a Crested Gecko Tank

Start by removing the substrate from inside the terrarium (This will be easier if you have purchased the tray I recommended). The terrarium should be thoroughly cleaned using the terrarium cleaner and a sponge. You want to ensure all stains are removed. If there is an odour inside the terrarium, you will either need to clean more frequently or use a pet-friendly deodorizer. Once the terrarium is clean and dry, you will want to add a fresh substrate (do not reuse the substrate you removed).

 

Crested Gecko Diet

A healthy diet will produce a happy gecko and at the end of the day, that’s all we want!

As well as the proper diet, a Crested Gecko will need to have a shallow water bowl. You do not want to have a deep water bowl, as there is always the possibility of them falling in and drowning. This should be kept clean and replaced at least once a day. CBREPTILE sell a variety of bowls, I have attached one which is priced from $15.99.

 

How Often to Feed Your Crested Gecko

Surprisingly, Crested Geckos do not eat as often as you might expect. Young Crested Geckos need to eat once a day. Once they reach the adult stage of their life, they need to eat three times a week.

 

When Should I Feed My Crested Gecko?

Crested Geckos are nocturnal creatures which means that they should be fed in the evening.

 

What do Crested Geckos Eat?

Like humans, Crested Geckos need a balanced diet. For them, this is a mix of commercial food, that you mix with water and a few insects throughout the week. Amazon sell Pangea food which goes down a treat with most Crested Geckos!

 

What Insects do Crested Geckos Eat?

Crested Geckos enjoy having a mixed diet. They will be happier in captivity if they eat a variety of foods instead of the same thing each week.

• Crickets
• Waxworms
• Locust
• Stick Insects
• Snails
• Blue-bottles
• Silkworms
• Butterworms
• Calcium Worms
• Wax-worms

Amazon sell 100 crickets for $19.99.

To avoid choking, any live pray that you feed your Crested Gecko should be no longer than the Crested Gecko’s head is wide.

 

 

What Fruits do Crested Geckos Eat?

You can mash up fruit. It is best to mash up fruit because a Crested Gecko’s teeth are not very strong. They are unable to eat hard fruit.

• Bananas
• Peaches
• Nectarines
• Apricots
• Papaya
• Mangoes
• Pears
• Passion Fruit

 

What Vitamins do Crested Geckos Need?

Unless you are feeding your Crested Gecko on a repashy diet, you will need to coat all of their food with a calcium supplement, specifically with vitamin D3.

CBREPTILE are selling a 2.12 oz calcium supplement with vitamin D for $14.99.

 

WHAT CAN’T CRESTED GECKOS EAT?

Like most animals, there are certain foods that you should avoid feeding your Crested Gecko. By avoiding these foods, you will be promoting good health in your crestie!

Citrus Fruits: Lemons, oranges, kiwis, pineapples and grapefruits should not be part of a Crested Geckos diet.

Avocados: These have a toxic chemical in them which are incredibly dangerous to most animals.

Mealworms: You should avoid feeding Crested Geckos mealworms, the shells can often cause digestion problems. 

 

How Much Does it Cost to Own a Crested Gecko?

Crested Gecko care is relatively cheap aside from the initial costs. The initial price of buying a Crested Gecko and required setup can be quite steep. Below I’ll break down all the costs, so you can get a clearer image.

 

How Much Does a Crested Gecko Cost?

Thankfully a Crested Gecko is one of the cheaper options when it comes to buying a reptile. So, yes you’ve picked well if you aren’t looking to spend a fortune! My Crested Gecko, has confirmed that on average a Crested Gecko can cost between $50 to $100. The price will depend on a variety of factors, such as:

• The Morph: If a Crested Gecko has a unique pattern or colour, this will raise the cost.
• The Age: The younger the Crested Gecko is, the cheaper it is to cost.
• The Gender: Female Crested Geckos tend to cost more money because they can reproduce.
• Where you purchase it from

 

How Expensive is a Crested Gecko Setup?

You can purchase each of the necessary items needed to care for your Crested Gecko separately, or you can buy a complete set which is usually cheaper. LLLREPTILE currently have a fantastic deal. It includes Zoo Med 16 x 16 x 20 Screen Cage, 4 quarts Bark Bedding, Small Rock Water Bowl, Mini Heat Lamp Fixture, 50-watt Exoterra Moon Heat Bulb, T-Rex Crested Gecko Food, and a Large (8 – 12″) tropical plant. This only costs $79.99. An amazing deal if you want everything you need for the cheapest price!

 

Monthly Cost of Owning a Crested Gecko

Generally, you’ll spend $20 a month. This is mainly for buying food. You will need to replace the substrate every month.

 

Crested Gecko Health

If you are worried that you might come across a health problem with your Crested Gecko in the future, it might be worth having them insured. Insurance will help to cover any vet bills.

You might find that you never need to take your pet to the vet. If you would rather avoid paying an insurance company each month, you could create a saving account in case of any emergencies.

With Crested Geckos, there are common health conditions to be aware of:

Mouth Rot: Excess mucus and redness around the Crested Gecko’s mouth.

Respiratory Infection: Symptoms of this can include wheezing or drooling.

Skin Issues: Rashes and uneven or difficulty shedding skin.

Watch out for these symptoms, if they occur you should take your Crested Gecko to the vet. 

 

 

Where to buy a Crested Gecko:

The first call of action when it comes to Crested Gecko care is where you should purchase your Crested Gecko from. You want to make sure that it is a professional place; this ensures that your Crested Gecko has a good health background.

1. Pet Stores

Most pet stores sell many different animals, ranging from puppies to fish, to reptiles, to birds. The likelihood is, is that most American pet stores sell Crested Geckos.

2. Reptiles Stores

A reptile store is our favourite choice and whereIwould recommend you buy your crestie from. They’re super geeky about reptiles, which is always a bonus when getting a pet that has very specific needs!

 

3. Reptile Breeders

You can purchase a Crested Gecko through a breeder, the same as you can with cats and dogs. They specifically breed reptiles to sell. Please ensure when purchasing through a breeder that you know the health background and you have checked the reviews. You want you new Crested Gecko to be perfectly healthy!

Keeping Crested Geckos Together

Crested Geckos can live together in small groups. However, like many other types of reptiles, male Crested Geckos cannot live with other males. You can, however, house a female with another female, or a male and two females, but be warned you might end up with some extremely cute baby geckos! 

Crested Gecko Lifespan  

With the correct Crested Gecko care, your gecko can live between 15 to 20 years, which is a tremendous amount of time! This is why you must realize a Crested Gecko isn’t like a hamster; they live for years and need constant care. Yes, they are relatively low maintenance pets, but they still need proper caring for as any animal does.

 

Conclusion

Crested Geckos are amazing pets, so much so they made our list of The 8 Best Lizard Pets!

Crested Gecko care can be confusing at first, but with time and practice it becomes easier. Whenever you’re lost, return to this guide for the answers. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.

If you are a new lizard owner I highly recommend you read this Crested Gecko Care Sheet. It has a bunch of information that you’ll need to know!

What Crested Gecko morph do you have?