It is one of the native species of southern New Caledonia. It is also known as eyelash gecko. A French Zoologist discovered the species in the year 1866. It was then thought the species was extinct until it was rediscovered in the year 1994.
Crested Gecko is now a protected species by the Convention on the International Trend in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna.
Appropriate Temperature For The Living of Crested Gecko:
The maximum bearable temperature for the Crested Geckos is 72 to 82 degree Fahrenheit. These morphs cannot handle the extreme temperatures, irrespective of the warmth or the coldness.
The minimum temperature for the drop in the night is 65 to 75 degree Fahrenheit. If you feel that there is variation in the temperature around you, you can make them feel comfortable depending on the upper and lower desirable limits.
You can either increase the temperature by lighting up a yellow bulb of low wattage at night that can provide enough heat. You can opt for the red lamp of low wattage to enhance the conditions.
If the temperature is too high, you can use waterbeds or an artificial source of cooling to maintain the desired limits.
Make sure there is no direct contact of either the heat or the coldness with their body. It can create rashes or burns on their skin.
Also Read: Exotic Pets of 2024
Physical Description of Crested Gecko:
The length of the Crested Gecko is usually 6 to 10 inches. It is one of the giant Gecko species. Apart from the 6 to 10 inches of the body of Gecko, the tail is 4 to 6 inches long.
So, the overall length of this living organism can go as high as 6 to 16 cms. Crested Gecko also has hair like structure above the eyes, which can be referred to as the eyelashes. It is because it resembles a similar structure. However, one cannot find the eyelids in the Crested Gecko.
They use their tongues to moisturise the eyes and remove the debris. The length of the tongue is quite long, and it is highly flexible.
There are two rows of spines in the Crested Gecko that lasts the entire length of the creature. The hair-like structure all across the body of the beast helps to climb on the solid surfaces by exploiting the weak.
Colour of Crested Gecko:
Crested Gecko is one of the naturally colourful creatures that are found in multiple colours. You can find Crested Gecko in brown, red, orange, grey, and yellow.
Not only the colour but the structure of the creature also varies. The three most common types of Crested Gecko include:
- Tiger printed
- Patternless, and
- The wild white-fringed
The creature varies in not only the colour but also the structure of Crested Gecko has multiple variations. There can be a difference in the crest size and head size. There can be variations in the creatures based on the breeders. As per the breeding, the features of the Crested Gecko vary to a great extent.
If the length of the Crested Gecko is less than 1.3 times its width then it is called the Crowned Geckos, there can be variation in the size and the number of crests. Some crests extend only up to the body of the creature while in some other species; the plumes extend until the tail.
Behaviour and Temperament of Crested Geckos:
The Crested Geckos are not common in their practice and temperament. These morphs do not even look similar. There is a vast difference in morphs, colour, and structure.
The species gets its name from the fringed crest that starts from there eyes and ends up to their entire body. You shall handle the creature with care, or else they might jump and run away from you.
These Geckos have the quality of shedding their tails, but there is not a property of regeneration of the tails.
Crested Geckos are moderate in temperament and usually harmless until you disturb them. Never approach the creature with an immediate action or they might run away in a hurry that might end-up in hurting themselves.
If you are dealing with Crested Geckos, be calm and careful.
Substrate Requirements for Crested Geckos:
These Geckos live a smoother and healthy life if they live in a moist and humid environment. So, you should arrange a substrate that adds to the humidity and their comfort.
For moist substrate, you should opt for moss, peat, paper towels, coconut fibre bedding, or more things alike.
If it is a juvenile creature, then the best thing to opt for the substrate is a paper towel. It is because it might swallow other things, and might end up affecting their health. It is not safe for them to intake all the things.
Nature of the Species:
The limbs of the crested geckos are webbed. They can jump well but are comparatively weak in climbing. These creatures typically sleep in the daylight and are awake after the sunset.
These creatures shed skin once a week when it is young, and the periodicity of this function reduces to once or twice a month when it is fully-grown.
Eating Habits For Their Good Health:
A crested gecko has a very healthy and accessible diet. It gets all the nutritious and vitamin requirements by feeding on the insects. It is better if you allow the crested gecko to hunt on their prey themselves so that they get the required exercise for their body. It helps them to maintain proper body weight and remain active.
If you want to give them additional care, you can approach the healthcare practitioner and provide them with Vitamin D3 supplements as and when required. However, you shall not offer added supplements without confirmation from the specialists.
Maintaining The Water Content in The Body Of Crested Geckos:
The usual water content in the body of crested geckos is kept through fruits. You can offer those fruits multiple times in a day. Some of the common fruits that can be given to them include:
- Bananas
- Peaches
- Papaya
- Mango
- Pear
- Passion fruit
Also, give them accessibility to pure water, so that they can drink whenever they want. If there is any algae accumulation in the water jar, make sure to clean the pot periodically.
If still the water content is not fulfilled, then you can go for providing the canned food to them. The intake of jarred food also depends on the recommendation of the medical practitioner. Do not initiate anything without consultation.
In a Nutshell:
Unlike most of the species of the Gecko, Crested Gecko is either omnivorous or frugivorous. The main diet of the creature is fruit-based. However, there can be a supplement of live feeders, like insects or other small organisms.
It is essential to maintain the diet for the bone density of the creature or else it can prove to be fatal in the long run.
