geckofan123
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are crested geckos easy to look after? i have a leo and am thinking about getting a crestie
thanks!
thanks!
crested geckos
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goReptiles
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They're different than leos, but yes they're simple to care for.
geckofan123
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thanks
moosassah
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I would rate them more time consuming than a leo. Why?
1. Daily misting--1 or 2 times a day their enclosures need to be misted down to maintain humidity levels. (Leo = no need)
2. Heat Issues--once it gets over 85 cresties will not fair well. mid 70s are best (Leo = little need until a much higher temp)
3. Standard Food--You need to mix Crested Gecko Diet powder with water. (Leo = drop some mealies in a dish).
4. Tail loss is more common. Tail will not regenerate like a leos.
Mind you all of these things are minor, but I'm pointing out the differences in "additional" care compared to a leo so that you can judge if you are willing to take the time. It's well worth it!
1. Daily misting--1 or 2 times a day their enclosures need to be misted down to maintain humidity levels. (Leo = no need)
2. Heat Issues--once it gets over 85 cresties will not fair well. mid 70s are best (Leo = little need until a much higher temp)
3. Standard Food--You need to mix Crested Gecko Diet powder with water. (Leo = drop some mealies in a dish).
4. Tail loss is more common. Tail will not regenerate like a leos.
Mind you all of these things are minor, but I'm pointing out the differences in "additional" care compared to a leo so that you can judge if you are willing to take the time. It's well worth it!
W
WftRight
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I have a crestie and have babysat leos, and of the two, I think the crestie is easier. My thought process is as follows.
1. I bought a Habbi Mist machine that sprays water in the cage three times a day. The machine is noisy and the spray quality isn't as high as some people consider ideal. However, the spray is good enough to give her water, and I only have to fill the reservoir about once or twice a week. I use distilled water, and have had no pluggage issues in over a year and a half of usage.
This machine is not cheap, but the machine isn't as expensive as a good thermostat to control the heat pad for a leo cage.
2. I feed mostly CGD, and a couple of bottles of CGD will feed a crestie for months. Mixing the CGD takes a little time, but so does dusting crickets or meal worms. Mostly, I like not having to go to the pet store every week or two for crickets or meal worms. I particularly like not having to feed and clean a cricket cage.
3. If your house is comfortable for you, your house is comfortable for your crestie. Most of us don't like letting our homes reach temperatures over 85°F. If we keep our homes under that temperature, our cresties are comfortable. Likewise, we don't like letting our homes get below the high 60's in the winter. Again, if we stay above that temperature, our cresties will be warm enough. I've put a black heat light over my crestie cage in the winter and put a small heat mat under the cage, but neither produces enough heat to do more than knock the chill off the winter air.
In contrast, a leo needs a nicely controlled basking spot. Ideally, the spot should be around 88 to 90 °F. Plenty of people have kept leos for a long time without using a thermostat to control this temperature or even a good thermometer to measure this temperature, but people really should be controlling this temperature.
Which animal really requires more care is a matter of personal preference. I think cresties are a little easier primarily because having to keep live food for leos is a pain. Others will see this difference differently. Both of them are great animals, and I may someday own a leo as well.
Bill
1. I bought a Habbi Mist machine that sprays water in the cage three times a day. The machine is noisy and the spray quality isn't as high as some people consider ideal. However, the spray is good enough to give her water, and I only have to fill the reservoir about once or twice a week. I use distilled water, and have had no pluggage issues in over a year and a half of usage.
This machine is not cheap, but the machine isn't as expensive as a good thermostat to control the heat pad for a leo cage.
2. I feed mostly CGD, and a couple of bottles of CGD will feed a crestie for months. Mixing the CGD takes a little time, but so does dusting crickets or meal worms. Mostly, I like not having to go to the pet store every week or two for crickets or meal worms. I particularly like not having to feed and clean a cricket cage.
3. If your house is comfortable for you, your house is comfortable for your crestie. Most of us don't like letting our homes reach temperatures over 85°F. If we keep our homes under that temperature, our cresties are comfortable. Likewise, we don't like letting our homes get below the high 60's in the winter. Again, if we stay above that temperature, our cresties will be warm enough. I've put a black heat light over my crestie cage in the winter and put a small heat mat under the cage, but neither produces enough heat to do more than knock the chill off the winter air.
In contrast, a leo needs a nicely controlled basking spot. Ideally, the spot should be around 88 to 90 °F. Plenty of people have kept leos for a long time without using a thermostat to control this temperature or even a good thermometer to measure this temperature, but people really should be controlling this temperature.
Which animal really requires more care is a matter of personal preference. I think cresties are a little easier primarily because having to keep live food for leos is a pain. Others will see this difference differently. Both of them are great animals, and I may someday own a leo as well.
Bill
moosassah
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I'm laughing because everything Bill said makes sense too. I guess you'll really have to make the decision of "what is extra work to you?"
Thanks Bill for the input on the mister. I'll look into it.
Thanks Bill for the input on the mister. I'll look into it.
geckofan123
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thank you
I think they are a lot easier to take care of, for those of us who dont breed our own mealies or crickets CGD is really nice knowing that its always there just sitting in a bottle and you dont have to go out to get more live food. And as for the misting, its supposed to be once or twice a day, odds are youre going to look at their tank at least that amount of times so just mist when you do, not a big dea, besides you have to keep a leos humid hide wet. Plus no lighting or extra heating needed, i dont think there is an easier reptile to take care of.
W
WftRight
Guest
If you can spend more money, another option is the Pro-Mist. This device is in the $170 range. For that extra money, you get a much higher quality of mist, a much quieter motor, and the ability to draw directly from a gallon jug of distilled water so that you don't have to fill the tank as often. I have a Pro-Mist that I haven't set up yet because I'm thinking of getting a second crestie. If I'm happy with the Pro-Mist on that cage, I'll get one for my first crestie. If I don't get the second crestie, I'll move the Pro-Mist to my original cage.
Bill
Bill
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