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Owning a Crested Gecko
What to Expect
Crested geckos generally have a docile, calm, and curious temperament, making them excellent, easy-to-handle pets for beginners. While usually gentle, they can be skittish and jumpy, particularly when young, and their personalities range from laid-back to highly active, with most tolerating handling well once they trust their owner. They are generally not aggressive and rarely bite. However, they are nocturnal and arboreal, often preferring to climb and jump rather than sit still. Each gecko is different; some are curious and will sit on your shoulder, while others are more shy and prefer limited interaction. Most will walk from hand to hand ("hand-walking") rather than sitting still. Short, consistent, and gentle handling sessions (5–10 minutes) help build trust. If threatened or roughly handled, they can drop their tails, which do not grow back. Males may develop a more "attitude-driven" or territorial personality during their teenage phase, whereas females tend to maintain a more consistent temperament.
❋ DietThe ideal, most sustainable diet for a crested gecko is high-quality commercial Crested Gecko Diet (CGD) powder mixed with water, supplemented with live, gut-loaded insects. Popular, trusted brands include Pangea and Repashy. Juveniles need daily feeding, while adults can be fed every other day.
❋ Housing & SetupUse a tall, top screened, front-opening glass terrarium (minimum 12×12×18 inches for adults). Provide, foliage, and vertical space for arboreal behavior. There are other enclosures that could successfully house Crested Geckos like the Container Store storage bins, Baby Crested Geckos should be started out in small enclosures like 8×8×12 Terrarium or a shoe box size 6 qt bin,
❋ Expert FacilitationMaintain ambient temperatures of 70 to 80 F and they do not require special basking lights if room temperatures are consistent.
❋ LightingUVB is not strictly necessary but could be usefull, and a 12-hour light/dark cycle is appropriate.
❋ HumidityKeep humidity between 60% and 80%, with a daily dry-out period. Mist the enclosure once daily or once every other day depending on your environment to maintain the above humidity levels. Leaving a dry out period is important for propper shedding.
❋ CareSpot-clean waste and old food daily and perform complete substrate changes every 4–6 weeks.