Crested Gecko Care Essentials

Amanda

Hey everyone, Amanda here—and today, Rick and I are talking about a lizard that might just win the “Most Adorable at the Expo” award every single month: the crested gecko. Now, these little charmers come from New Caledonia, which, if you’re like me and had to look it up the first time, is this tiny group of islands northeast of Australia. The reason I love their rainforest-y background so much is that, you know, it actually means a lot when you’re trying to set them up at home—humidity, all the climbing. That origin story really shapes their care.

Rick

Yeah, and what always gets me about crested geckos—their toes! Those sticky toe pads let them climb straight up glass like it’s magic. I mean, first time I saw one at the show, I swear I had that moment, like, “Wait, did anyone else see that little leap?” And sure enough, a bunch of first-time visitors gathered around, jaws on the floor, as the gecko zipped up the enclosure wall. Total show-off. Oh, and don’t forget—those rows of tiny pointed scales along the head and back? Gives them kind of a spiky but soft look, which is just, well, classic crested.

Amanda

Exactly! And a couple quirky things I always have to warn new keepers about: they have no eyelids—so you’ll spot them licking their eyes, which, I’ll be honest, still makes me giggle. And if you look close, their scales are tiny, so they just feel like velvet. Super soft. But here’s the big kicker: their tails. If a crested gecko loses its tail—usually from a little too much stress, or if someone tugs by accident—it’s gone for good. It won’t regrow, so that’s something to remember especially if you’ve got, you know, little hands wanting to peek during show and tell.

Rick

Totally. And I like that, compared to some lizards you see in the hobby, captive-bred cresties are everywhere. Wild stuff isn’t exported, which, honestly, is probably for the best—no pressure on wild populations, more healthy, tame animals for everybody. And I always mix this up, but I think they were thought extinct until the nineties? Was it 1994? I’m pretty sure it was. Anyway, they’re making up for lost time by stealing hearts at expos all across Western PA.

Amanda

So let’s jump into food—because, let’s be honest, audiences always love the weird stuff animals eat. Wild crested geckos are munching on insects and squishy fruit in the treetops, so at home, you’ve got a few options. A lot of folks stick with commercial diets—Pangea is huge right now, and H&H Exotics, shout out Brandi and Michael, they mix up the breeder and watermelon formula to shake things up for their geckos. But you can also do crickets, tiny ones, and fruit baby food. Just don’t forget—calcium and vitamins are non-negotiable. Dust those feeders or mix supplements into the fruit. It’s not just a “nice to have”—it avoids a whole lot of health headaches down the road.

Rick

Yeah, and I’ll tell you, there’s nothing like seeing a picky gecko refuse peach baby food, then absolutely dive face-first into watermelon Pangea like it’s dessert. But about handling—because, wow, these guys like to jump. I remember at last month’s show, we had a family at the H&H table, and one of their kids, maybe six years old, got to hold a crestie for the first time. At first, all calm, and then—sproing!—the gecko made a break for it right off his hand. No injuries, lots of giggles, but it was a solid reminder: always handle close to your body, and ideally over something soft, just in case.

Amanda

Yeah, these guys are designed to leap and climb, not to sit politely for photos. Start with short sessions, let them hop between your hands. But go slow, watch that tail, and if you’re handling with children, make sure you’re supervising the whole time. Cresties rarely bite, but honestly, you’ve got a far greater chance of a jump than a nip. Oh—and please, please, hygiene matters. It’s not just about your gecko’s safety. Wash hands after handing them or cleaning their home. Reptiles can carry salmonella, just like we talked about during our axolotl episode—a little care goes a long way for everyone’s health.

Rick

And honestly, don’t let young kids handle geckos unsupervised. That’s not just a “paranoid parent” thing—these lizards are hardy for their size, but it’s way too easy for a tail to get broken, or for a gecko to disappear under the couch. Treat them gently, use good judgment, and make it fun and safe for both human and lizard. That’s the goal.

Amanda

Okay, let’s talk about the home setup. If you want your crested gecko to really thrive, think “mini rainforest.” They don’t care about running laps along the floor—they want height. So, vertical space, climbing branches, some leafy hides—real or silk plants, whatever you can clean easily. Branches should run up and down, because these guys use every inch. Oh, and if you’re worried about them climbing the glass, yes, they will. Give them stuff to climb and they’ll reward you with their acrobatics.

Rick

Substrate’s important too. My rule: Jungle Mix for adults, but if you’ve got a young gecko, play it safe and use paper towel. That way there’s zero chance of them swallowing something weird. These little guys can be nosy eaters. And for water, make sure there’s a shallow dish, especially for babies. Spray the enclosure every day to keep things humid—think 80% humidity. We’re not talking “swampy,” but definitely not dry. That daily mist does double-duty, because they’ll actually drink water droplets off the sides and leaves.

Amanda

Temperature is another big one. You aren’t baking a bearded dragon here—crested geckos love the middle 70s, so aim for about 72 to 77°F. Most homes are perfect, but avoid hot spots, especially direct sunlight—that can crank the heat too high and, ugh, you do not wanna risk overheating. For lighting, they’re nocturnal, so they don’t need special UVB. Indirect, natural light is fine, or a simple LED for the plants and for you to see them at night.

Rick

And I know we’ve touched on this in our Leopard Gecko episode, but safe setups make all the difference. Only one male per group, always, or you’ll have drama worse than any reality show. Cresties can live 15–20 years if you keep things right, so set them up with everything they need from the start.

Amanda

Also, if you’re curious about morphs— a crested gecko can go from flame to harlequin, and everything in between—check out H&H Exotics or one of the many other Crested Gecko breeders at the Pittsburgh Reptile Show, the selection at this expo is CRAZY!! every month. Whether you’re totally new, or you’ve been saving up for a “lily white” or “pinstripe,” at the expo you can talk to the breeders, see the setups, and even try some hands-on time. That’s what’s special about the show: you get to connect, ask all your questions, and leave ready to give your gecko the best start possible.