Care
&
Caging
the importance of caging requirements:
When discussing crested gecko care and caging both aspects are of the up most importance to maintain healthy animals. not all cages are suitable for reptiles such as the crested gecko. Thankfully for the reptile industry an amazing industry erupted the caging industry large corporations and small independent businesses created a beautiful industry to help complement ours. Table Top Entrepreneurs receives no financial gain for business reviews. This fact does not change our belief and faith in the products that we use.
Exo-Terra products are perfect examples of this. a video from Exo-Terra is on our page to demonstrate the amount of thought that goes into the creation of a reptile cage. although it is considered a small science the science of reptile keeping is still present in all aspects of what we do. from the many caging requirements be it proper ventilation, floor space, selling height, does it lock or not? all this matters: does it keep humidity? do i need it to keep humidity?
if so how much humidity can the cage withstand. have you noticed i have not mentioned what the animal you are going to put into the cage needs yet. we cover that further down on this page.
knowing what the animal needs is often sold as the most important aspect of reptile keeping with out belittling the importance of this information we propose that keepers recognize that knowing what cage is capable of meeting all your animal requirements. is of equal if not greater in importance. all things taken into account it is also important to consider popularity and availability of cages we get to choose from. Exo-Terra cages are some of the most widely available cages on the market today. many people use them, when receiving care advice it is important to remember that people are basing their success on things done with these cages. their advice will reflect this. something that works for bin based rack units may not apply to any form of glass caging. it For these reasons and many more that we do our best to be sure that you have all of the proper and available information that we can find and provide it for you here in one place.
Exotic Pet Shop
Housing the Crested Gecko:
A minimum of a 20-gallon tall terrarium is sufficient for an adult, but a larger tank is better. Crested geckos are arboreal, active, and need lots of vertical space for climbing, so a tall tank is preferred. Two to three crested geckos can be housed in a tall 29-gallon terrarium. Males are territorial, so keep only one male per tank. You can use a glass terrarium with a screened side for ventilation, but some keepers prefer screened enclosures.
Crested geckos need room to climb, so provide a mix of branches, driftwood, cork bark, bamboo, and vines at a variety of heights and orientations. Add a variety of silk or sturdy live plants (pothos, philodendron, dracaena, ficus) as they will hide in the plants for cover. Every day, you will need to remove all uneaten food and spot clean to remove feces. Clean the entire terrarium and its decorations at least once a month using reptile-safe disinfectants. Depending on the substrate, you will need to replace it weekly or monthly to prevent bacterial growth.
Heat:
Reptiles are ectothermic meaning their body temperature varies with environmental temperature, so it is important that you provide the proper temperature range for activity and feeding. A thermometer is essential for accurate temperature measurements. daytime heat gradient of 72 F-80 F / 22 C-26.5 C should be provided for crested geckos with an evening drop of 65 F-75 F / 18 C 24 C.
Control extreme temps by monitoring with a thermometer, ensure the cage does not overheat by installing digital thermostat. Crested geckos get stressed at higher temperatures. A low-wattage red nighttime bulb makes a good heat source and it also allows you to view the lizard at night when it is most active. Do not rest a heat source on the top of the tank as these climbing geckos could get too close and get burned.
Lights:
Crested geckos are nocturnal; technically, they do not need special UVB lighting. However, some experts suggest a low level of UVB lighting (about 5 percent) is beneficial for overall reptile health. Any added lighting will raise the temperature in the enclosure, so monitor that. Also, provide a gecko hideaway so geckos can get away from the light if they want.
Substrate:
Most pet owners use a substrate to line the bottom of the cage. When selecting a substrate for a gecko, consider pet safety, ease of cleaning, and if the substrate aids in retaining humidity. Ideal substrates for a crested gecko are coconut fiber bedding, moss, or peat. You can also use newspaper or paper towels, although these are not as attractive.
Crested geckos are somewhat prone to ingesting substrate while hunting; if this is the case for yours, use sphagnum moss (either alone or over another substrate like coconut fiber) or paper towels. Paper towels are recommended for juveniles as they are more likely to swallow other substrates accidentally.
Although attractive, gravel or pebbles are not a suitable substrate since it is difficult to clean thoroughly and regularly. Avoid reptile sand and non-organic soil substrate, since these are swallowing hazards.
Humidity:
Crested geckos need a moderate to high humidity level. Aim for 60 percent during the day and 80 percent at night. Get a hygrometer (humidity gauge) to monitor levels daily. Provide humidity with regular misting with warm, filtered water. Depending on your cage setup, you may need to mist it a few times a day to keep the humidity up. Always make sure the cage is well-misted at night when the geckos are most active. If you are not around during the day or cannot physically mist the enclosure, get an automatic mister or fogger to add humidity to the cage at timed intervals.
