Crested gecko (Correlophus ciliatus)

Crested geckos are a species of gecko from the semi-tropical rainforests of New Caledonia. They are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List, and were once thought to be extinct until a specimen was found in the 1980's. They are threatened by invasive predators, illegal harvesting for the pet trade, and habitat loss.​

In captivity they are a hardy species, making them a popular starter pet. Crested geckos can live over 20 years, with adults ideally being around 30-40 grams and 4-5 inches long (excluding tail). They are solitary and can fight if housed together.

Adult should be kept in at least a 20 gallon enclosure (18"x18"24"), but can thrive in larger setups. They prefer arboreal setups with plenty of plants, branches, moss, and a shallow water dish. The temps should be around 70-75F. Outside heat is not recommended unless the room is often below 66F. They should never be kept at 80F or higher long term, as this will cook your gecko. Geckos need both dry and wet periods to shed properly, so a average humidity of 60-75% and a daily spike of 80% is optimal. If you want to provide UVB light, a range of 1-2 UVI is recommended though not required.

These omnivorous geckos primarily eat insects in the wild, with fruits being eaten seasonally. Captive crested geckos do best on a mix of premade diet and insects. Premade diets, like ones made Repashy and Pangea, are a powder mix designed to be a complete diet for your pet. Although they can live a comfortable life on just premade diets, offering live insects help your gecko thrive! Live insects like mealworms, crickets, and silkworms allow your gecko to preform natural hunting behaviors and give your pet the animal-based proteins they need. Be sure to dust your insects with calcium and multivitamins, like Arcadia EarthPro-A and Arcadia Revitalize, to provide the nutrition your pet needs.