The Crested Gecko – a miniature dragon from New Caledonia
The crested gecko (Correlophus ciliatus) belongs to the Diplodactylidae family, the most diverse and widely distributed group within the Gekkota (gecko) infraorder. Over the past few years, this small lizard has become increasingly popular as a pet, potentially surpassing the long-time favorite, the leopard gecko. What makes the crested gecko so appealing are its unique, dragon-like appearance, vibrant color variations, manageable size, and gentle nature. Additionally, it’s widely available and relatively easy to care for and breed, making it a great choice for beginner reptile enthusiasts.
Why crested geckos make great pets
Crested geckos don’t require large terrariums or high-energy heat lamps. With the right diet, you can even skip a dedicated UVB light, as they are nocturnal creatures like most geckos (apart from Logodactylus and Phelsuma from Africa and Cnemapsis from Asia). They are active at night searching for food or mates and hiding during the day between leaves or in branch crevices near the ground to avoid predators. Therefore, their need for artificial lighting is minimal.
These geckos can also thrive without regular insect feeding. Ready-made, balanced diets like Tropical Gecko Cream, prepared as a mousse, provide all the nutrients they need. While feeding live insects is a good source of protein and encourages natural hunting behaviors, especially for young geckos, it’s not strictly necessary. This makes the crested gecko a low-maintenance pet for those hesitant about keeping live feeders at home. With proper care, these geckos can live up to 15 to 20 years, a factor worth considering before making a long-term commitment.
Natural habitat of crested geckos
Crested geckos are native to the humid, tropical forests of New Caledonia, specifically the islands of Grande Terre and Ile des Pins in the Pacific Ocean, located between Australia and Fiji.
Discovery of crested geckos
The crested gecko was first discovered and described by Alphonse Guichenot in 1866. However, after this initial discovery, they weren’t seen in the wild for over a century, leading to their classification as extinct. In 1994, they were rediscovered by Robert Seipp and Phillippe de Vosjoli during an expedition to New Caledonia. A breeding population was quickly established in the US and Europe, as they proved easy to care for and breed in captivity.
How crested geckos look like
Crested geckos are medium-sized, reaching around 20 cm (including the tail) and weighing about 60 grams. Hatchlings measure about 6-7 cm and weigh roughly 1.5 grams. These geckos have a stout body and a slender tail, about the same length as the body, which can be discarded as a defense mechanism (autotomy). However, unlike many other lizards, their tail does not regenerate, and most adults in the wild are tailless.
The head is wide, widest at the point between the eyes. It then narrows toward the nasal openings located at its tip. Their name comes from the distinctive “crests” of skin that extend from above the eyes, down the back, and to the base of the tail. These geckos also lack eyelids, so they clean their eyes using their long tongues.
Climbing ability of crested geckos
Crested geckos can scale smooth surfaces, including glass, thanks to specialized toe pads. These pads consist of microstructures called setae, made up of even smaller bristles that create adhesion through van der Waals forces. This allows them to effortlessly navigate vertical surfaces, such as terrarium walls, bamboo, and leaves. The flattened, paddle-shaped tip of the tail is prehensile and equipped with similar microstructures.
Color varieties of crested geckos
The crested gecko is highly polymorphic, meaning individuals can have a wide range of colors and patterns. Common colors range from light cream to dark brown, with markings in white, yellow, orange, or red. Selected morphs include varieties such as Patternless, Bi-color, Chevron, Harlequin, Blonde, Marble, Tiger, Dalmatian, Superdalmatian, Moonglow or and Lily White. Interestingly, they can change their color intensity. When “fired up,” their colors become more vibrant, while “fired down” colors are more muted and pastel.
Housing multiple geckos
There is considerable disagreement in the literature and online about the best practices for keeping crested geckos, particularly females. It is well known that mature and maturing males of this species, competing for space and mating opportunities, are territorial and aggressive toward one another. As a result, males are housed separately to prevent stress and fighting. Males are only paired with females for breeding. It was traditionally believed that young geckos of different sexes could be housed together in a sufficiently large terrarium until the males begin to mature. Similarly, females are often housed together due to their perceived lack of aggression towards one another.
However, studies on female crested geckos kept together have shown that in groups of three, one female typically becomes dominant, while the other two are submissive. A similar pattern is observed among juveniles. This creates a risk that one or more geckos may develop more slowly due to limited access to food and the stress of being harassed by larger, more dominant individuals. For this reason, the group housing of young or adult female crested geckos should be left to experienced terrarists and professional breeders. Thay are more likely to recognize developmental issues early and take appropriate action.
For beginners, setting up a group terrarium and identifying early signs of dominance and slowed development can be challenging. If you choose to keep more than one gecko in a terrarium, be sure to provide multiple food bowls in different areas of the enclosure to reduce competition for food.
Terrarium requirements for crested geckos
Considering their lifestyle and size, crested geckos do not need large terrariums. A single adult requires a terrarium measuring at least 40 x 40 x 50 cm. While a pair of adults needs 40 x 40 x 60 cm. If you plan to create a bioactive terrarium, add 10 cm to accommodate the substrate and drainage layer.
Juvenile geckos do better in smaller, transitional enclosures (such as a 15-20 liter ventilated plastic box or faunabox) to ensure they find food easily and to monitor their development closely. It is also easier to keep clean.
Temperature in a terrarium for crested gecko
The climate of New Caledonia is tropical, humid, and very warm, though not hot. Average daily temperatures rarely exceed 28°C. Therefore, the temperature in the terrarium should be kept between 23-26°C, ensuring it does not surpass 30°C. During summer heatwaves, make sure any additional heat source is turned off. At night, the temperature should not fall much below 20°C.
It’s important that a crested gecko has the ability to choose whether to stay in a cooler or warmer part of the terrarium during the day. This can be achieved by installing a low-power heating mat connected to a thermostat on one of the side walls, positioned in the upper half. Another option is to place a low-power compact fluorescent lamp above the ventilation grid in one corner of the terrarium. It is crucial not to install such a lamp or any other heating element inside the terrarium, as the gecko could burn itself on the heated fixtures.
Humidity in the terrarium for crested geckos
The gecko should be kept in a humidity level of 70-80%. You can achieve this by misting the terrarium daily and using an organic substrate that absorbs water well. This substrate will gradually release moisture through evaporation. Ideally, there should be a drainage layer beneath the substrate to collect any excess water that seeps through. A suitable choice for the substrate is Tropical Bioterra coconut fiber, which can be used on its own or mixed in a 3:1 ratio with Tropical Terraclay substrate. This mixture will create a compact surface on the terrarium floor that retains moisture and reduces the risk of the gecko accidentally ingesting substrate while hunting for insects.
Terrarium décor for crested geckos
Crested geckos are primarily arboreal, though they are rarely found above 3 meters in height in the wild. It is important to include a variety of branches, lianas, or cork tubes in the terrarium to provide shelter and expand the gecko’s living space.
The terrarium must be securely enclosed to prevent the gecko from escaping, and it should be free of hazards that could cause injury. All decorative elements should be mounted firmly and stably, which can be done using aquarium silicone for added security. Additionally, ensure the terrarium is well-ventilated to prevent bacterial infections and mold growth on the decor.
While planting the terrarium with live plants is not necessary, it can enhance the microclimate. Live plants also allow for the creation of a bioactive terrarium, where natural processes of matter circulation and self-purification are initiated with the help of organisms such as springtails and isopods, which act as a “cleaning crew.” This is a solution worth considering for long-term terrarium health.
Diet of crested geckos
Correlophus ciliatus in the wild feeds on small arthropods, such as insects, isopods, arachnids, in addition to the pulp of overripe fruits and the pollen and nectar of flowers – depending on the current availability of food. Thus, it is an omnivorous species. It often adapts its diet to what is available at any given time. At one time the vast majority of food will be invertebrates, while at another time it will be plant-based foods.
In a terrarium, geckos can sometimes be picky eaters, with each individual having its own favorite flavors. There are geckos that prefer to eat insects rather than fruit and insect mousses. Others, on the other hand, are not fond of insects and have a taste mainly for fruits and mousses containing fruits, insects and bee products, such as Tropical Gecko Cream. It is a powdered food to be made into a mousse by mixing with lukewarm water. It’s available in three flavors: apricot, fig and strawberry. It is characterized by being highly nutritious, palatable and free of artificial colors and flavors.
Since it is fully balanced in terms of minerals and vitamins, there is no need for additional calcium and vitamin D3 supplementation. If, on the other hand, you feed live insects to your geckos, use calcium and vitamin supplementation formulas such as Tropical Vigorept Mineral and Tropical Vigorept Multivit. Feed them by sprinkling them on live insects.
Crested gecko – a perfect pet for beginners
The crested gecko is a fantastic choice for first-time reptile keepers. With its charming looks, ease of care, and gentle nature, it’s no wonder this “small dragon” continues to win the hearts of reptile enthusiasts worldwide.
Dawid Krótki
Literature
Compiled from personal experience and the following literature:
Schaefer M. A., Wetzel H., Skalican K., Johanson S., Loughman Z. 2020. Dominance in Female Crested Geckos (Correlophus ciliatus). Proceedings of the West Virginia Academy of Science, 92(1). https://doi.org/10.55632/pwvas.v92i1.677
Gamble T., Bauer A., Jackman T., Greenbaum E. 2008. Out of the Blue: A Novel, Trans-Atlantic Clade of Geckos (Gekkota, Squamata). The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, 37/4: 355-366.
Sanchez M., Cassan J., Duval T. 2015. A new locality for Correlophus ciliatus and Rhacodactylus leachianus (Sauria: Diplodactylidae) from Néhoué River, northern New Caledonia. Herpetology Notes, volume 8: 553-555.
Ramirez A. A., Perez K., Telemeco R. S. 2020. Thermoregulation and thermal performance of crested geckos (Correlophus ciliatus) suggest an extended optimality hypothesis for the evolution of thermoregulatory set‐points. J Exp Zool.; 1-10.
Bauer A. M., Jackman T. R., Sadlier R. A., Whitaker A. H. 2012. Revision of the giant geckos of New Caledonia (Reptilia: Diplodactylidae: Rhacodactylus). Zootaxa 3404: 1-52.
Griffing A. H., Sanger T. J., Epperlein L., Bauer A. M., Cobos A., Higham T. E., Naylor E., Gamble T. 2021. And thereby hangs a tail: morphology, developmental patterns and biomechanics of the adhesive tails of crested geckos (Correlophus ciliatus). Proc. R. Soc. B 288: 20210650. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2021.0650
