Crested Geckos

Meet the Crested Gecko

Crested geckos come from New Caledonia, a group of islands east of Australia, and were believed extinct until their rediscovery in 1994. The crested geckos kept in the hobby today are captive bred, including every one we list. Their name comes from the fringe of spiky scales running from above each eye down the neck and back, and they have no eyelids, so they clean their eyes with their tongues.

Adults reach about seven to nine inches, including the tail. They live up in the branches and are most active from dusk into the night. Many live 15 to 20 years with good care, and some go longer, so plan for a commitment. You'll also see the species listed as Correlophus ciliatus, its current scientific name, or Rhacodactylus ciliatus, the older name still used on many listings, ours included.

Crested Gecko Traits in Our Listings

Trait names describe pattern and color. Combinations are common, so one gecko can carry two or more of the traits below.

• Flame: a light pattern along the head and back over a darker base, with little pattern on the sides
• Dalmatian: dark spots scattered across the body, with Super Dalmatian used for especially heavy spotting
• Flame Dalmatian: the flame back pattern with dalmatian spotting layered over it
• Lilly White: a genetic trait that produces bold white patterning across the body
• Cappuccino: a separate genetic trait marked by a dark base color and a pattern that connects down the back
• No trait name: classic crested geckos in the reds, oranges, browns, and olives the species is known for

Color shifts from day to day as well. Keepers call it "firing up" when a gecko darkens to a richer color, usually at night or when active, and "firing down" when it pales at rest. When you weigh one crested gecko for sale against another, go by the trait name as much as the photo.

Setting Up a Crested Gecko Enclosure

Crested geckos live above the ground, and every part of the setup should be ready before your gecko ships:

• A tall enclosure, at least 18 by 18 by 24 inches for an adult, filled with branches and dense foliage
• Daytime temperatures of 72 to 78°F, kept out of the low 80s, since heat stress can be fatal for this species
• Misting once or twice a day, letting humidity climb to around 70 to 80 percent and dry back toward 50 to 60 percent in between
• A regular day and night light cycle, with low-output UVB lighting widely recommended
• A complete powdered crested gecko diet, along with calcium-dusted insects

Our Responsible Care and Ownership page covers what to research before bringing any reptile home.

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Crested Geckos for Sale

How often should a crested gecko eat?

Adults usually do well with a complete powdered diet about three times a week, while juveniles are offered food more often as they grow. Calcium-dusted insects once or twice a week round out the diet. Remove uneaten food after a day so it doesn't spoil.

Can you tell if a baby crested gecko is male or female?

Not reliably at first. Males develop a row of pores just above the vent and a bulge at the base of the tail, which usually show by around 18 to 25 grams or six to nine months old, though growth rate varies gecko to gecko. That's why baby listings rarely state sex, while some juvenile listings do.

Does a crested gecko need a water dish if the enclosure is misted?

Yes. Crested geckos lap droplets from leaves and glass after misting, but a small, shallow dish provides water between mistings. Refresh it daily.

How are crested geckos different from gargoyle geckos?

Both come from New Caledonia and have similar care needs, but gargoyle geckos grow heavier, have bony bumps on the head, and can regrow a lost tail. They're also more inclined to nip. You'll find our gargoyle geckos on the Geckos page with our other species.

Tail Loss and Handling

A crested gecko can drop its tail when it feels threatened, and the tail does not grow back. Tailless crested geckos still climb and feed normally, and many adults in the wild have lost theirs, which is why tailless babies sometimes appear in our listings.

Give a new arrival a week or two to settle before you handle it. When you start, let the gecko come to you. Rest your hand flat in front of it and let it step on, then place your other hand ahead of it as it walks forward. This is known as hand walking, and it lets the gecko move at its own pace.

Keep early sessions to a few minutes, and sit on the floor or over a bed: young crested geckos often leap without warning.

Buying a Crested Gecko Online From Us

Our crested geckos for sale online are captive bred and eating consistently before they go up, and each listing names the trait and age group so you can compare animals before choosing. Babies let you raise a gecko from its earliest stage, while juveniles are larger and further along in growth. Read our Shipping and Guarantees page before checkout for details on packing and arrival coverage.