Crested geckos are nocturnal lizards native to New Caledonia, a collection of islands off the coast of Australia.They were originally discovered in 1866 and considered to be extinct until 1994 when they were rediscovered. This species is exclusively found on the islands of New Caledonia and is noted for licking its eyes and having expressive expressions.Rhacodactylus ciliatus is the scientific name for this gecko species. The crested gecko hides near the ground during the day and hunts and scavenges in tree canopies at night. In crested geckos, no eyelids are present. Instead, each eye is kept moist by a transparent scale, or spectacle, and geckos remove dirt with their tongues. To keep their eyes wet, crested geckos lick them. A crested gecko, likes its near relatives the Rhacodactylus geckos, has webbed legs and digits. They are mostly nocturnal and will sleep in safe places in high branches throughout the day. Crested geckos, on the other hand, are not as good climbers as tokay geckos.Both male and female crested geckos grow to be around 4-4.5 in (10.2-11.4 cm) length from snout to vent (SVL) and 8 in (20.3 cm) long overall. Crested geckos are sexually mature when they are 15-18 months old and weigh around 1.3 oz (36.8 g). It appears in a variety of colors and patterns, and its crests, which span from head to tail, are particularly distinctive. A crested gecko’s ’eyelashes’ which are unique in the reptile realm, are part of this crest!Unlike the closely related gargoyle gecko (Rhacodactylus auriculatus), the crested gecko does not regenerate its tail after it is gone. When threatened or trapped by a predator, the cells at the base of the tail are fragile, allowing the tail to break away. There will be minimal to no blood loss since the capillaries in the tail will close practically instantaneously. For two to five minutes, the tails will move independently of the body. It is not a concern if they lose their tail, and most adults in the wild do not have tails.Their popularity as pets has risen steadily since it is rediscovered. They’re one of the low-maintenance pets that’s ideal for kids. These exotic reptiles are well-known for their ease of maintenance and distinctive look. They are very healthy reptiles that are quite friendly if handled correctly.If you like this reptile fun fact post, you might be interested to read these articles on what do iguanas eat and what do lizards eat here on Kidadl.What do crested geckos eat in the wild?The wild gecko is an omnivore that lives on feeding a wide range of fruits and insects. Feeding vegetables is also a healthy diet for crested geckos. However, not all vegetables are appropriate for a daily diet.When it comes to lizards or amphibian dietary requirements, it’s vital to remember what they’ve been shown to eat in their natural habitat in southern New Caledonian regions. Crested geckos are omnivores, and they may even be frugivores. Wild geckos consume a wide range of insects, plants, parasites, and bugs. They should be given a professionally produced fruit-based diet in captivity, supplemented with live feeder insects.Small insects and overripe fruits are the main natural sources of food for this creature. Small roaches and gut load crickets as a treat for this creature.What do crested geckos like to eat?Crested geckos like insects and should be fed a couple of times per week. Calcium and vitamin D3 should be given to these insects.A full powder diet, advertised as Repashy Superfoods’ Crested Gecko Diet, has played a significant part in making them among the most popular of lizards kept as pets. This powder, which has been tried and tested with thousands of geckos for over a decade, is a hit with crested geckos.Offer baby foods such as a couple of little slices of banana, peach, or apricot at each mealtime. A crested gecko lives on feeding fruit and flower nectar as part of its normal balanced diet. Provide a variety of insects as a reward, such as gut-loaded (recently fed) crickets, mealworms, and waxworms. If you can’t find a commercial gecko diet, provide a mix of insect prey and fruit. They can be also given chopped veggies like carrots, peas, bell peppers, and pumpkin.A diet that is imbalanced and deficient in calcium can swiftly lead to metabolic bone disease because it eliminates the need to feed live insects. Expect your crested gecko to live 15-20 years if it has been cared for in proper condition. Your pet might face weight loss and become ill as a result of a bacterial illness, which can easily impact their appetite.Health issues are generally caused by poor hygiene habits, so be sure to keep your reptile’s cage as clean and hygienic as possible, and wash your hands before and after touching your pets. Signs of a bacterial illness are similar to those of a parasitic infection, and they’ll need the aid of a certified veterinarian to figure out what’s wrong and how to cure it.Can crested geckos eat baby food?Sweet baby foods like peach, banana, or apricot can be added to the crested gecko’s diet as a reward. Provide a variety of insects as a reward, such as gut-loaded (recently fed) crickets, mealworms, and waxworms.Baby crested geckos can consume an adult diet in limited amounts once they shed their skin for the first time. They can self-regulate their food intake since they are instantly autonomous after birth.Either a large plastic terrarium or regular 20 in (50.8 cm) 10 gal (37.8 L) reptile terrarium with a screen top are ideal for baby crested geckos. From the moment they hatch, baby crested geckos are self-sufficient. Neither the female gecko nor the male is involved in the care of the hatchlings or juveniles. They will not be seen eating for the first several days after hatching since they will be feeding on stored yolk leftovers.Baby crested geckos are flighty and might be harmed if handled incorrectly. As a result, you should not handle them until they are at least 3 in (7.6 cm) SVL (snout to vent length). Crested geckos rarely bite, and when they do, it’s usually not a big deal. They let go after a short nibble.Do crested geckos need live food?To keep a crested gecko healthy, you don’t have to feed it live food. Three times a week or as much as these geckos will be eating, the food is combined with water of twice parts and served in shallow bowls. Before removing the food, it can be permitted to sit for 24 hours-36 hours.Offer fresh premix meal every other day to a crestie under six months old, leaving it in the enclosure between changes to a new batch the next night. The crested gecko is unlikely to consume any during the day, but keeping it out allows them to eat if they feel the urge. Offer live food on one weekend day and no food on the other weekend day.Crested geckos, both juvenile and adult crested geckos, can be fed a quality premixed powder form every other evening during the week. Remove any uneaten premix the next morning, unlike the young, because adult cresties will not wake up to feed during the day. On weekends, provide a modest selection of live food.Premix meals also differ in terms of how long they last before hardening, depending on the brand. To be safe, just take them out in the morning and replace them with new ones as needed. Then repeat the process the next week, using live fresh food twice a week and premix on weekends. This method works well on any crestie that appears to be happy and healthy.Blood and stool samples have been obtained and analyzed for different levels of parasites every six months from geckos after they turned six months.When geckos are relocated to unfamiliar environments, they may lose their appetite. Geckos, like all reptiles, require the proper temperatures gradient in their environment to digest, and if these are not met, their hunger will suffer. Once a week, give the habitat a thorough cleaning and disinfection. Scrub the tank and furnishings with a 3% bleach solution, inse well with water to remove any traces of bleach smells, and fully dry the tank and furnishings before adding new substrate.Geckos like glass aquariums because they like to scale smooth surfaces. Tanks with a capacity of 20 gal (75.7 L) and a height of 4-6 ft (1.2-1.8 m) are suitable. Because they are nocturnal, there is no need for extra lighting or a cage hood. Unlike other geckos, a crested gecko’s tank does not need to be maintained much warmer than room temperatures and should be kept at a temperature of around 75 F (23.9 C). It should be simple to reach this temperature and lighting by keeping the entire room heated. If this proves too difficult, a ceramic heater can be used instead. The tank’s humidity should be kept at a constant level of 60-70%.At night, geckos do not require light. They are nocturnal creatures with the ability to see in the dark. Although light is not required, a nightlight or dim lighting can be used in the room. This species has earned a reputation for being fussy about its habitat. In their aquarium, you may use either dirt or paper towels as a substrate.The easiest way to imitate their native environment is to use soil substrate, which will also sustain live plants in the tank. A substrate of paper towels has a more disposable base that can be cleaned more quickly during spot cleaning.What fruits can crested gecko eats?Soft fruits that are low in phosphorus and moderate to high in calcium can be fed to crested geckos. Fruits should be regarded as rewards for your crested gecko in captivity, in addition to the crested gecko diet. Citrus fruits, for example, can be harmful to your gecko’s health.They enjoy feeder insects in addition to fruit, and some hobbyists opt to feed them as a primary or supplemental diet. For geckos health, crickets, which are now offered in a pet store, are the ideal choice, and you should choose a size in which the length of the cricket equals the breadth of the skull.Geckos need a vitamin/mineral supplement including calcium, vitamin D3, and a complement of other necessary vitamins and minerals that should be gently coated on crickets. They should be fed three times per week as a main diet or once per week as a treat or addition to the crested gecko diet.If you can’t find a commercial gecko diet, provide a mix of insect prey and roaches. The size of the insects fed should be about the same as the distance between the gecko’s eyes. Feed as many prey insects at once as the gecko happily consumes a diverse diet and to allow the gecko to practice his hunting instincts.A high-quality calcium supplement should be used to complement your live feeder insects. Unlike other reptiles, your crested gecko will only require one supplement. When utilizing live insects, you should lightly dust after each feeding.Both live feeders and CGD should be included in your gecko’s diet. Always get live feeder insects from a trustworthy company. When selecting a feeder insect for your gecko, it’s critical to consider the nutrients included in each bug as well as what that nutrition may do for your gecko’s long-term health. Dubia roaches are one of the finest live feeders for your crested gecko, and you should use them as your major source of food.If you use a complete gecko diet, you may also place a small dish of calcium supplement in your gecko’s natural habitat for them to eat as required. Most geckos will control their own needs, but if you detect symptoms of over-supplementation, such as chalky urate, you should remove the supplement from crested gecko food until things return to normal.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for what do crested geckos eat then why not take a look at what do ants eat, or crested gecko facts.
Crested geckos are nocturnal lizards native to New Caledonia, a collection of islands off the coast of Australia.
