🦎 Reptiles

Crested Gecko

Sticky-toed, eyelashed and easy-going.

Crested geckos are arboreal lizards from New Caledonia that thrive at room temperature and eat a prepared powdered diet, making them among the easiest reptiles to keep.

Lifespan15–20 years
SizeSmall · 7–9 in
Care levelBeginner
Typical cost$15–30 / month
Great for
BeginnersSmall spacesCalmJumpyNocturnal
Crested Gecko

Photo: Lennart Hudel · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Care guide

Daily care

Tall enclosure (18″×18″×24″ for an adult) with plants and branches; 72–78°F; mist daily.

Complete crested gecko diet (powder mixed with water) plus occasional insects.

Vertical climbing space.

Keep humidity up for clean sheds.

Health

Common health concerns

Know what to watch for. Early detection makes most of these far easier and cheaper to treat.

  • Metabolic bone disease
  • Floppy tail syndrome
  • Stuck shed
  • Dehydration
  • Mouth rot
Veterinary care

Vet visits

Reptile vet as needed.

Find a vet near me