Thinking about a Crested Gecko..

[LizMarie]

I'm always looking for more pets ..

Half the time the ones I want I can't have for various reason but I was looking into Crested Geckos and they're something I can afford and are cute as a button so maybe next summer I'll be getting one :main_yes: (hopefully)

I have some questions that weren't answered by online care sheets so I was hoping someone on here could help me out.

- I know they need a tall enclosure what would be the absolute minimum for ONE adult crested gecko. While searching I found 12x12x18, 18x18x18 a tall 20 gallon, etc. I just want to know the bare minimum so I can go from there for an adult not a juvi or hatchling.

- What is the best substrate? I know they need humidity and have read that peat moss, coconut fiber, sphagum moss, etc can be used but which one is highly recommended? Do I need to beware of impaction with these substrates? I also read that you should let the enclosure dry out everyday so you reduce the possibility or mold/bacteria/etc. is this true and can it harm the gecko? With the humidity so high they don't need a humid hide right?

- I know they can eat a CGD, various baby foods and live insects. Can Cresties live on CGD their entire lives and is it something you NEED to feed or can you make your own diet out of baby food and live insects? I've heard Crickets are best but what about mealworms and roaches? If you do use live feeders how do you prevent them from burrowing into the substrate?

- I know that a lot of hanging plants and stuff would help them hide but how many actual hides should they have that are enclosed?

- Do they need calcium dish like Leopard geckos?

Umm that seems like all for now. As I finished reading it I feel I should have done a little more research but I continue getting the same general guidelines.

PS. I'm going to try and check my local reptile rescues but if they don't work out do you know of any breeders close to New York? If I do get one I'd like to go local to reduce shipping cost.

 

[Pepper]

12x12x18 I think is too small, since the gecko can get about 8 or 9 inches.

18x18x18 would be a great size. With my Crestie now, he is in a 20 gallon long on its side, which is like, 12x12x30 I think, but it is really thin, it has height but barely any floor space when he goes down to eat. We just received the Exo Terra 18x18x24 tank which I will be using once they replace the doors that broke in shipping. But that tank is so big I could probably put my male with 2 females if I wanted!

The only problem I am having is keeping humidity up, but that's because the whole front of my tank is screen.

I use organic soil that is pretty moist. No problems with mold.
Also use moss which I soak in water and ring out and put on one side of tank floor, no problem with mold.
If your feeding insects it may be safer to use paper towels as you don't want to risk impaction, I feed CGD.

Mist a few times a day, especially before night time, since they are nocturnal and will lick the dew off of the leaves and glass. No they do not need a humid hide. Maybe some shelter on the ground just to make them feel safe when they go down to eat, like a bushy plant.

Can have water dish in tank to help with humidity

Baby foods cannot be a staple diet, CGD can be a staple, it has everything they need vitamin and calcium wise and comes in great new fruit flavors.

If you are feeding CGD nothing is required, no supplements.

If you are not, you must dust the crickets. Baby food would only be a treat, and must be organic, no added sugar.
Crickets and insects are optional, many people feed CGD and give crickets once a week.
You can feed any types of feeders if you are going that route, would be safer to use paper towels, then the crickets cant burrow, and you can just put mealies in a dish.

They do not need any hides, during the day they will be up top, sometimes sleep on the ground. I recommend the type of plants with suction cups that suction to the sides of the tank, they hide under them.

Vines, wood, and things like that so they can climb.

Do not need calcium dish.

If Feeding CGD, put it on the cage floor before you turn off the lights since they come out at night.


Here's my set up now as example, can't wait to move him to the Exo Terra!!..Yes there is an antler there...haha:

 

[LizMarie]

Thanks Sara that helped (very cute cage).. I was thinking of getting an Exo Terra or a Open Front Tank from glasscages.com

If anyone else wants to add-on some extra advise I'm listening..

 

[Lena]

These little guys are awesome, let me tell you. Great pets. I'm really surprised they aren't more popular!

So much fun.. And so mellow! Even my mother loves my crestie.. And she isn't too thrilled with my reptiles, normally.

 

[Pepper]

Oh, they can bite really, really hard. Just try not to accidentally grab them by the face if they go on your back...yeah....

Some will use you as a toilet.

 

[star]

If your only getting one , which is hard.I feel you can buy a small/baby one,and a ten gallon should work for the time being.I personally like to use tanks and coco -fiber it really holds the humidty.On feeding mine really love the crickets and bannanas.Try one out Liz there realy fun to take outside the cage once theyve settled in.Like everythig else you will find each one has its own personality. HTH.

 

[Trunks]

I wish I had thought of a 20 long on its side. Right now my gargoyle is in a 20 high. The first care sheet I (for cresteds) found said a 20 high was enough for a male and 2 females, but I've seen other places saying to get a 29 for a trio.

 

[LizMarie]

If i get a baby crested, lets say a few weeks old I can keep them in a 10gallon on its side right? And what else do I need to do differently? Can I still use cocobut fiber,etc?

 

[Pepper]

You can actually keep babies in small tubs, but a 10 gallon would be fine as long as he is able to find the food.

You don't need to do anything really different, still give branches and such.

You can still use any substrate, unless you just want to use paper towels to see if the baby is going to the bathroom.

If your feeding crickets, use paper towel.