Crested Gecko, Racodactylus ciliatus

The Crested Gecko, a presumed extinct species, has been recently found thriving in New Caledonia. It is a very robust species perfect for the beginner and the advanced hobbyist, because of its ease of care. They can grow to about 10” in length and are believed to live up to 20 years. The more you handle these geckos, the tamer they become. They will actually bond with their caregivers over time.
Crested Geckos are arboreal lizards of nocturnal habits, thus they do not require the use of UV lighting. They should be housed in a well planted 10 gal. (Or larger) terrarium, provided with a screen cover, and hiding places near the top. They should be provided with a shallow bowl for water. A good substrate can be potting soil, “Jungle mix”, bark nuggets or mulch. These lizards require moderate humidity levels, they should be provided with a shallow bowl for drinking water, and should be misted daily. Crested Geckos thrive in temperatures between 74-78?F, and are very sensitive to temperatures above 85?F.
Crested Geckos are omnivorous, they should be fed a diet high in soft non-citrus fruit, with addition of animal protein (such as live insects) on regular basis, or commercially available Crested Gecko formula. As with all reptiles, the addition of calcium supplement to their food is strongly recommended.