Crested Gecko
The Crested Gecko (Correlophus ciliatus) was thought extinct until rediscovered in New Caledonia in 1994.
Updated: October 2026
Wash your hands after handling. The FDA notes that reptiles and amphibians can carry Salmonella and show no signs of illness, so the animal, its enclosure and everything in it can spread the germs: wash your hands with soap and water straight after touching any of them. The agency says children younger than 5, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems should not handle reptiles or amphibians. Source: FDA, Salmonella and pet reptiles and amphibians.
Overview
The Crested Gecko (Correlophus ciliatus) was thought extinct until rediscovered in New Caledonia in 1994. Since then it has become one of the most popular pet reptiles thanks to easy care requirements - no UVB needed, room temperature suitable, complete commercial diet available. Crested Geckos are arboreal, nocturnal, and famously hardy.
Natural History
Native to the southern islands of New Caledonia in the Pacific. Lives in tropical rainforest, arboreal in trees and shrubs.
Appearance
Adults 20-25 cm length including tail, 35-55 g.
Distinctive "crests" (eyelash-like projections) from above eyes along the neck and back. Toe pads (and tail tip) are sticky - they climb glass.
Hundreds of colour morphs: red, yellow, dalmatian, harlequin, pinstripe, lily white, and many combinations.
Temperament & Handling
Generally tolerant. Adults usually accept handling well. Juveniles are jumpy and may leap dramatically - handle low to soft surfaces.
Crested Geckos drop their tails readily (autotomy) and cannot regrow them - tailless Crested Geckos are common.
Enclosure
Minimum: 45 × 45 × 60 cm (vertical) for one adult. Larger preferred. Arboreal - height matters more than floor space.
Provide:
- Cork bark, branches, vines for climbing.
- Live or fake plants for cover.
- Water dish.
- Hides at different heights.
- Substrate: coco fibre, moss, or paper.
Heating & Lighting
- Temperature: 20-25°C ambient: room temperature suits them. Avoid above 28°C (heat stress).
- No heat lamp needed in most homes.
- UVB: the RSPCA advises a medium-output 5-7% UVB lamp (RSPCA).
Humidity
40-50% normally, with boosts up to 80% by spraying the vivarium with clean water (RSPCA). Mist enclosure 1-2 times daily (morning and evening). Allow some drying between mistings.
Diet
Complete commercial crested gecko diet (CGD) - a powder mixed with water to a slurry. Replace every 2 days.
- CGD as staple - feed 2-3 times weekly.
- Insects as enrichment: crickets, dubia roaches dusted with calcium 1 time weekly.
Avoid feeding only fruit - calcium and protein deficiencies result.
Health & Lifespan
15-20 years.
Common concerns:
- Metabolic bone disease from inadequate calcium.
- Floppy tail syndrome (FTS): from poor hide options; provide vertical hides.
- Tail drop - common; no regrowth.
- Impaction.
- Mouth rot.
Crested Gecko Morphs
Crested gecko morphs are colour and pattern forms bred in captivity; each page below explains what its morph looks like and how it is produced:
Harlequin Crested Gecko · Dalmatian Crested Gecko · Pinstripe Crested Gecko · Flame Crested Gecko · Lilly White Crested Gecko · Tricolor Crested Gecko · Halloween Crested Gecko · Cream Crested Gecko · Red Crested Gecko · Extreme Harlequin Crested Gecko · Tiger Crested Gecko · Axanthic Crested Gecko
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Room temperature suitable.
- Complete commercial diet (no live feeding required).
- Long-lived.
- Hardy and tolerant.
- Climb glass: entertaining to watch.
Cons:
- Tail drop with no regrowth.
- Need humidity management.
- 15-20 year commitment.
Best Suited For
- First-time reptile owners.
- Owners wanting low-maintenance reptile.
- Apartment dwellers.
Not suited for very dry climates without humidity management.
Everyday gear for reptiles
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Crested Gecko - frequently asked questions
Do they need live insects?
Not strictly. Complete commercial diet is sufficient. Insects add enrichment.
Why don't tails regrow?
The species lacks the regeneration mechanism present in many gecko species. Tailless Crested Geckos are common and live normally.
Do they need UVB?
Older advice: no. Modern advice: low-output UVB plus dietary supplementation is the safer practice.
Are they good for kids?
Yes - among the easiest reptiles for older children.
How long do they live?
The typical lifespan of the Crested Gecko is 15-20 years.
Sources
Sources this profile draws on, as linked in the text:
- RSPCA(rspca.org.uk)
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