The Rhacodactylus ciliatus, commonly known as the Crested Gecko, is a reptile in the family Gekkonidae originating in New Caledonia. This species was considered extinct until its rediscovery in 1994. More phases have been obtained through crosses, covering colors like oranges in all its ranges, black, white, fire, among others.
Characteristics of the Crested Gecko
The Crested Gecko is very popular among pet owners who are new to raising these animals. This species, unlike the Phelsum, loves to be manipulated and are known for their ability to jump great distances. They are tree geckos, so they like to move between the branches of their terrarium. Also, crested geckos have the unique ability to change the color of their skin from light brown to dark red and orange.
The crested geckos come from a group of small islands between Australia and Fiji, known as the islands of New Caledonia.
All people who own a crested gecko of this type highlight the same quality about this species. These are ideal domestic animals for first-time caretakers, who have never had a pet before. They have simple and simple requirements to meet.
In nature, crested geckos usually lose their tail and end up with a small pointed nodule in the tail. Lack of glue” is a normal condition for adults with geckos. In captivity, enthusiasts like geckos with tails, but this requires holding animals individually and pampered to avoid tail loss.
On his head, we can also see 2 crests on the sides. They emerge from the upper section of each eye and pass through almost all of his body. These crests are distinctive, as they are formed by a large amount of “hairs”, better known as cilia. They are organized in a line on their crests, giving this beautiful animal its characteristic name.
Character and behavior of the crested gecko
They are mainly nocturnal animals, and for this reason, they have very acute visual and auditory senses. Their limbs are developed for their arboricultural habits. In general, male specimens are slightly smaller than females, with males measuring about 7 inches and females reaching 9 inches. Their weight remains between 1.5 and 2 ounces as adults.
Newly purchased crested geckos should not be handled, but should first be allowed to settle for 3 to 4 weeks to adjust to their new environment and ensure that they are fed regularly. When you begin to manipulate your crested gecko, make the manipulation sessions short, no more than 5 minutes.
How much can a crested gecko grow?
Both males and females reach a moderate size of 20-22 centimeters. Crested geckos are sexually mature when they are between fifteen and eighteen months of age, and weigh approximately thirty-five grams.
How long can a crested gecko live?
Well, crested geckos, like all pets, are animals that need to be well cared for. If we provide our crested gecko with optimal conditions in terms of terrariums, temperature, care, and food, it can live for more than 10 years, reaching 14 or 15 occasionally.
Terrarium for Crested Gecko
The crested baby geckos can live perfectly in terrariums of 20 liters, with approximate measures of 20x20x20. plastic, such as mesh, or wood.
This incredible Gecko is rather medium-sized, reaching 9 inches in length, from its nose to its tail. Its head has a particular triangular shape, with a pointed nose and somewhat bulging eyes that have no eyelids. You often see them moisturize their eyes with their tongue.
Crested Gecko Morphs
It is known as a crested gecko because of the soft spines around its head. One of the most evident qualities of this genus of geckos is the ability to climb almost any surface. It is thanks to the pads they have on their fingers and thanks to the prehensile tail.
Colouring: Its base color is dark, in various shades of brown. In this species has achieved bright colors and attractive as white, orange, red, linear in various colors.
Size: The length of the specimens varies from 7 to 10 inc. The males are larger and it has a bulky base to protect the hemipenis.
Dalmatian
flame
Tiger
Brindle
Harlequin
Pin Stripe
Patternless
What is the life span of a crested gecko?
Well, crested geckos, like all pets, are animals that need to be well cared for. If we provide our crested gecko with optimal conditions in terms of a terrarium, temperature, care, and feeding, it can live more than 10 years, occasionally reaching 14 or 15.
Could you keep a gecko as a pet?
These animals are not aggressive with their breeders. But among males, there is a high territorial level sometimes also among females. This genus is characterized by its high territorial instinct. So they must be kept separately and in pairs or trios as long as we observe harmony in the group. Many breeders keep both males and females separate except in breeding seasons. As a general rule, these specimens are very calm. They accept very well the handling of humans and are not easily stressed.
Newly purchased crested geckos should not be handled, but should first be allowed to settle in for 3 to 4 weeks to adjust to their new environment and ensure that they are fed regularly. When you begin handling your crested gecko, keep handling sessions short, no more than 5 minutes.
Habitat of the crested gecko?
The crested gecko terrarium should be taller than long, since this species of geckos are arboreal, with a minimum height of 24″ and a width of 18″. There we can accommodate a male and a female. If we want a greater number of specimens the terrarium will have to be larger. We should never accommodate more than one male per terrarium to avoid confrontations. If we want to accommodate a larger number of individuals will have to be a male by several females.
Crested Gecko Setup
From the substrate, we can use coconut fiber, peat moss, or moss. We can also use a combination of these last 3. This will be used to keep humidity in the substrate and at the same time in the terrarium.
The temperature of the terrarium should be in the range of 24-28 degrees with a drop in temperature of 64-68 Fahrenheit degrees, the humidity should be 90% with a minimum of 60%, these geckos do not like heat very much so we will have to spray the terrarium 2 to 3 times daily, especially in summer to avoid excessive heat, the photoperiod will be 12-14 hours daily and the rest of the night. For the decoration of the terrarium, it is advisable to use natural plants, as this helps to maintain the humidity of the terrarium and is better for the gecko. If you want to put more decoration in the terrarium it is advisable to use branches or trunks to take advantage of the space in the terrarium, as geckos especially like to climb on bamboo trunks.
You can put the plants in pots to facilitate the cleaning of the terrarium, of course, you can plant the plants in the substrate, but we will need to put garden soil without any chemical fertilizer to facilitate the growth of the roots of our plants.
It is essential to maintain good hygiene in the terrarium. It prevents that no fungus or infection appears, and eventually damage our gecko. So, every time our gecko defecates, we should remove the excrement and a little bit of the substrate where it did.
Also every 2 months we should change the substrate for a new one to also avoid infections in the substrate and terrarium.
Temperature and Lighting
The maintenance temperature should be in the range of 75 to 83 Fahrenheit during the day, with a nighttime drop of 64-68 Fahrenheit, humidity should be at least 60% and can reach 90%. They do not like excess heat and we should spray the terrarium once or twice a day, especially in summer, and a photoperiod of 12 to 14 hours during the day and the rest of the night. The crested gecko does not need any UV or UVB type of lighting as they are nocturnal, many breeders have not used UVB type lighting obtaining satisfactory results, of course as long as they maintain a good diet supplemented with vitamins.
If you are going to have natural plants, it would be good to use white light bulbs (energy saving bulbs), also with this type of lighting, you can obtain satisfactory results.
But in my opinion, using UVB lighting is better for the gecko because with this type of lighting the gecko absorbs vitamin D3 and calcium better in its bones, it also helps the geckos maintain better coloration. You can use a moonlight to see your geckos at night without disturbing them.
During the summer months, there is no need to provide external heat. In May, June, July, and August, you should put the crested geckos in a cool room of the house if the temperature exceeds 86 F because if it exceeds much more, it could become harmful to our little friend. During the rest of the year, it will be necessary to provide external heat through lamps, lights, and thermal pads.
Substratum and decoration of a terrarium of crested geckos
Crested geckos will need a plurality of substrates that resemble their terrarium to its original habitat.
Don’t get used to modifying and messing up your terrarium too much and try to leave enough open areas, otherwise, your crested gecko will refuse to live in it and will start to stop eating and get sick.
We also recommend the use of plants with abundant foliage, whether they are artificial or natural. This will allow your crested gecko to hide and feel safe. You can combine it with rocks, trunks, cork, tree barks, and a long, etc.
Another great option to feed our crested geckos is fruit and insects. In case we choose to feed our pet gecko with insects, we must choose the crickets as the main option. These can be found both in our shop and in the pet shops.
We should not feed it with any type of insect, as we run the risk that it cannot be swallowed and suffocates. When we are going to choose the size of the crickets, we must pay attention to that they are smaller than the size of their mouths.
On many occasions, these crickets will be subtly covered with a vitamin and mineral supplement. These supplemented crickets can cover a wide range of nutritious foods. They can be either high in vitamin D3, calcium, or other essential vitamins and minerals.
How to choose a crested gecko?
The crested gecko, as we have already indicated, is one of the best-selling varieties of lizards, largely because it is very simple to care for and has such radiant dispositions compared to other lizards. Although they are extensively free in pet shops, try to get your crested gecko from a reputable breeder if possible.
A healthy crested gecko has no noticeable ribs or pelvic bones. They don’t like to be manipulated, so avoid it if possible. And while they rarely bite, they can if they are overwhelmed. A crested gecko bite is of little relevance.
The Humidity of the Crested Gecko Terrarium
The water must always and in all circumstances be free for crested geckos in a dish of shallow water. These geckos also require a relative humidity of at least fifty percent and preferably seventy percent.
In dry areas, the tanks must be subtly fogged every night or a clean air humidifier must be placed in the room. Economical hygrometers (relative humidity meters) for use with reptiles are now free in the pet trade.
What does Crested Gecko eat?
As far as food is concerned, they like to hunt crickets, silkworms, grasshoppers, occasionally zophobes, and they like to frequent sweet fruits, apricots, apples, and bananas. When they are young they have to eat often and as adults from one to two times a week insects and the rest fruit with its supplement of calcium and vitamins.
Crested geckos like fruit and insects. Newborns don’t usually eat in the first few days. After 3 to 5 days, the young may begin to eat small crickets less than a quarter of an inch long. The rest of the diet will be a mixture of fruit and turkey food or the commercial T-Rex mix for crested geckos. The powdered T-Rex diet can be combined with fruit-based baby food alternating with crickets.
The best time to feed the geckos is at night. As they are nocturnal, they are more active in their search for food. They can be fed every other day, alternating the fruit mixture and T-Rex with crickets.
A good way to determine the size of the crickets is to use the distance from the gecko’s eyes to its mouth. Crickets of this length will be small enough to be easily ingested by the gecko.
It is a good idea to load the crickets before feeding the geckos. The best way is to feed the crickets with grains, dark green leaves, carrots, oranges, or a commercial gut loader. Crickets should also be sprinkled with a supplement of calcium, vitamins, and minerals.
Full powder diets have played a key role in making these geckos one of the most popular choices among exotic animal lovers. Thanks to powdered diets, which include all the nutrients our crested geckos need, we don’t have to feed them crickets, worms, or other kinds of live insects. Also, this assures us that they will be well-fed, as the powdered food pots include the exact amount of food this small gecko needs.
If you are feeding your crested gecko a diet based on these powdered products, we recommend that you mix nutritious powders with water to provide complete, nutritious, and highly moisturizing meals.
You should be fed 3 to 4 times a week.
Another great option for feeding our crested geckos is fruit and insects. In case we choose to feed our pet gecko with insects, we must choose the crickets as the main option. These can be found both in our shop and in the pet shops.
We should not feed it with any type of insect, as we run the risk that it cannot be swallowed and suffocates. When we are going to choose the size of the crickets, we must pay attention to that they are smaller than the size of their mouths.
On many occasions, these crickets will be subtly covered with a vitamin and mineral supplement. These supplemented crickets can cover a wide range of nutritious foods. They can be either high in vitamin D3, calcium, or other essential vitamins and minerals.
Is it easy to tell the male from the female?
Crested geckos cannot be accurately sexed until they are approximately 3 or 4 months old. Once mature, the gecko is relatively easy to sex. Males develop external hemipenal lumps located at the base of the tail with pre-annual pores directly in front of the air hole. Females have a flattened area at the base of the tail with small external lumps. Both males and females exhibit cloacal spurs, so this is not a sex determinant.
How to breed crested geckos?
The breeding of this species is not difficult, it is usually advisable to subject them to a phase of lowering temperatures to raise them again after a few weeks to provoke the activity of our geckos. Do not mate females under the year. In this particular species does not seem to have as much impact on the sex of the offspring temperatures applied in the incubation, although some females can be born at lower temperatures and more males at higher temperatures. To incubate the eggs, temperatures of 25 degrees. for this use a humid substrate. Then, depending on the temperature, the young of the ciliatus will be born after 60 to 80 days.
Crested Gecko Health Problems
Many geckos are susceptible to oral rot or stomatitis, and the crested gecko is no exception. Symptoms include excess mucus and redness near the mouth.
If you notice your crested gecko drooling, these are signs of a possible respiratory infection, another common lizard disease.
When your crested gecko has what looks like a rash, it may be a sign of parasitic infection; another symptom is the complexity of detaching from your skin.
Every one of these conditions is treatable by a reptile veterinarian.
In addition to this gecko, in our web, we can find a plurality of articles on these animals. Access information about the leopard gecko, the leaf tail gecko, the Madagascar Phelsuma Madagascariensis or gecko, and the flying gecko.
The main causes of mortality of a crested gecko.
Many geckos are susceptible to mouth rot or stomatitis, and the crested gecko is not an exception. Symptoms include excess mucus and redness near the mouth.
If you notice your gecko crest drools, these are signs of a possible respiratory infection, another common lizard disease.
When your crested gecko has what looks like a rash, it may be a sign of a parasitic infection; another symptom is the complexity of shedding its skin.
Any and all of these conditions should be treated by a reptile veterinarian
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