Crested Gecko Care Guide

Overview

Crested Gecko Care Tips: Everything You Need To Know About Your Pet Crested Gecko

The Natural History of Crested Geckos

Crested geckos (Correlophus ciliatus), sometimes called “eyelash geckos,” come from New Caledonia—an island northeast of Australia with a humid, subtropical climate. They were once believed extinct until rediscovered in 1994, and they’ve been captivating reptile enthusiasts ever since. As pets, they remain relatively small, reaching about 8 inches long, and typically live 5–10 years with proper care. Like many reptiles, crested geckos are prone to metabolic bone disease (MBD) if their diet or lighting isn’t right. The good news? Preventing this is entirely possible with correct husbandry and regular exotic vet visits.

This guide provides basic care information for crested geckos and is not a substitute for veterinary advice. For help with your crested gecko, contact a reptile-savvy veterinarian, such as the team at Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic.

How to Care for Your Pet Crested Gecko

Care Taking

Housing

Enclosure

Crested geckos thrive in a tall glass enclosure—at least 20 gallons for one adult. They are arboreal by nature, which means they prefer climbing over crawling. A pet crested gecko’s habitat should include branches, vines, and elevated food/water dishes. Paper towels or reptile carpet make the best substrate since they’re safe, easy to clean, and allow you to monitor waste. Avoid loose substrates, like soil or sand, which can cause dangerous impactions.

Humidity

Humidity is one of the most important aspects of crested gecko care. Aim for 60–80% humidity, misting the enclosure regularly or investing in an automatic misting system. A screened lid helps with airflow, while live or artificial plants can provide both climbing options and the option to hide.

Temperature

The temperature should stay between 72–80°F. A low-wattage overhead heat bulb or an under-tank heater on the side of the enclosure usually does the trick, but always monitor with a thermometer. Adding a UVB bulb is strongly recommended, as it mimics natural sunlight and helps geckos metabolize calcium, which is essential for preventing MBD. Remember to replace UVB bulbs every six months since output diminishes over time.

Handling and Socialization

Crested geckos can be handled, but it’s important to start slow and keep sessions short, especially for young or newly acquired geckos. Allow your pet to climb onto your hand rather than grabbing them, and always supervise when taking them outside their tank to prevent sudden jumps or falls. Since they are nocturnal, handling is usually best in the evening when they’re naturally more active. Over-handling can stress your gecko and even cause tail loss, so keep handling gently and pay attention to signs of stress in your crested gecko. Shaking, wagging their tail, closed eyes, erratic movement, and aggression can be signs of stress from handling and you should immediately place your crested gecko back into the tank.

Behavior

Crested Gecko Behavior

Crested geckos are nocturnal climbers; they spend their nights exploring branches, vines, and other vertical surfaces. In the wild, they live in the humid forests of New Caledonia, where their sticky toe pads and prehensile tails help them scale trees and cling to almost any surface. In captivity, this translates into lots of climbing and leaping and some crested geckos have been reported capable of jumping several feet in the air.

By day, they prefer to rest tucked away in leaves, plants, or other hiding spots. Providing plenty of cover in the enclosure helps mimic this natural behavior and makes them feel secure.

These geckos are generally solitary and do not require social interaction with other geckos to thrive. They communicate mostly through body language and subtle vocalizations, such as small chirps or squeaks when startled. Most of their activity revolves around foraging, exploring, and regulating their body temperature and humidity needs.

Because they are creatures of habit, you may notice your gecko emerging at similar times each evening to feed and patrol its space. Observing these nightly routines is often one of the most rewarding parts of keeping a crested gecko.

Nutrition

Crested Gecko Diet & Nutrition

As omnivores, crested geckos eat both insects and fruit. A balanced diet typically includes:

Commercial gecko diets: We recommend high-quality prepared diets such as ZooMed or Pangea. These powdered formulas are mixed with water into a liquid consistency and offered several times per week.
Insects: Gut-loaded crickets or roaches should also be offered. Dust them with calcium powder (without vitamin D3 if you are using UVB lighting) before feeding. Gut-loading means feeding the insects nutritious foods, such as collard greens, endive, carrots, mango, or strawberries, before offering them to your gecko.

Crested geckos obtain much of their hydration from droplets left after misting their enclosure, but a shallow water dish should always be available as backup. Clean and replenish the water dish daily to prevent bacterial buildup. Adequate hydration is essential for smooth shedding, digestion, and maintaining healthy organ function. Signs of dehydration include lethargy, sticky saliva, or wrinkled skin. If you suspect your crested gecko is dehydrated, schedule a visit with an exotics veterinarian to assess.

Food and water dishes should be shallow and ideally elevated, since crested geckos rarely go to the ground. Replace uneaten food daily and clean dishes regularly.

Medical Care

What Medical Care Does My Pet Crested Gecko Need?

Annual wellness exams with an experienced reptile vet are the cornerstone of good gecko care. These visits allow us to:

Check for signs of metabolic bone disease or nutritional deficiencies.
Ensure proper growth and weight.
Screen for parasites, which depending on the species may not be uncommon in your reptile.
Review your enclosure setup to confirm that temperature, humidity, and diet are all on track.

Preventive care is far easier and far less stressful for your pet than treating advanced illness.

How Can You Tell If Your Crested Gecko Is Sick?

Signs that something might be wrong include:

Weakness or difficulty climbing.
Loss of appetite or weight loss.
Abnormal droppings or lack of stool.
Lethargy or hiding more than usual.
Kinks or deformities in the spine or limbs (possible MBD).
Stuck shed, especially around toes and tail.

If you notice any of these symptoms, don’t wait, schedule a veterinary appointment.

Emergencies

Crested geckos can get into trouble quickly if conditions aren’t right. Seek immediate veterinary care if your gecko:

Is unable to move or climb normally.
Has visible injuries from a fall or enclosure accident.
Suffers a prolapse (tissue protruding from the vent).
Experiences sudden weight loss or dehydration.
Shows signs of severe respiratory distress (gasping, wheezing, open-mouth breathing).

At LIBEVC, our exotic veterinarians are trained to handle urgent reptile cases. If you’re unsure whether your gecko’s situation is an emergency, it’s always best to call, we can help you decide what to do next.