Care sheet

Crested Gecko

Correlophus ciliatus

Also known as: Eyelash Gecko

Diplodactylidae · Squamata

BeginnerIUCN VU

Activity: 🌙 Nocturnal
Temperament: Docile
Adult length: 7–9 in
Adult weight: 35–55 g
Lifespan (captivity): 15–20 yrs
Native range: Southern New Caledonia — humid subtropical forest canopy

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Care guide

Overview

Crested Gecko (Correlophus ciliatus) — Rediscovered in 1994 after being thought extinct, now one of the most popular pet lizards. Low-maintenance: room-temperature husbandry (no heat needed in most homes — heat above 82°F is actively harmful), a complete powdered MRP diet with optional live insects, and a vertically-oriented planted enclosure. Crested geckos drop their tails readily and, unlike most geckos, do not regrow them — a tailless crestie is not a health issue but is permanent. Mist nightly, let the enclosure dry during the day.

Environment

Climate

Cool side

65–72 °F

Warm side

72–78 °F

Basking spot

78–82 °F

Nighttime

65–72 °F

Humidity (ambient)

60–80%

Shed-cycle boost

70–90%

Environment

UVB lighting

Required?

Optional / beneficial

Fixture type

T5 HO

Distance to basking

12–18 in

Replacement interval

Every 12 months

Housing

Enclosure

Orientation

Arboreal

Bioactive setup

Suitable

Minimum size by life stage

HatchlingKritter Keeper or 5-gallon equivalent (too large stresses young crestes)
Juvenile12"L x 12"W x 18"H minimum
Adult18"L x 18"W x 24"H (or 36"H for a lightly-planted vivarium)

Housing

Substrate

Depth

2–4 in

Safe options

coco fiber / topsoil blendbioactive mix with sphagnum topperpaper towel (quarantine)

Avoid

calcium sandwalnut shellcedarpine

Nutrition

Diet & feeding

Dietary type

Omnivore

Prey size by life stage

HatchlingPinhead crickets (rare treat)
Juvenile1/4" crickets, small dubia (1–2× per week)
AdultSmall-to-medium crickets or dubia (treat, 1× per week at most)

Feeding frequency by life stage

HatchlingMRP (e.g. Repashy, Pangea, Black Panther Zoological) nightly; insects optional
JuvenileMRP 3–5× per week; live insects 1–2× per week
AdultMRP 3× per week; live insects 0–1× per week

Prey ratio by body weight

Stage

Body weight

Prey (% BW)

Interval

Hatchling
up to 8 g
3–6%
1–2 days
Juvenile
9–20 g
3–5%
2–3 days
Subadult
21–35 g
2–4%
2–3 days
Adult
36 g+
2–4%
2–3 days

Feed prey roughly the listed percentage of the snake's current weight, at the listed interval. Use it as a starting point — adjust based on body condition, not the calendar.

Feeding thresholds

Typical hatchling weight

2–4 g

Power-feeding line

> 8% body weight

30-day weight-loss concern

> 10% in 30 days

Supplementation

Primary diet is a complete powdered gecko meal-replacement (MRP) — Repashy, Pangea, or Black Panther Zoological are the industry standards. MRP alone is nutritionally complete; no calcium/D3 dusting needed when MRP is the primary diet. Live insects are optional enrichment, 0–2× per week. Dust those insects with calcium (no D3 needed if MRP is the staple).

Care

Water & behavior

Water

Small bowl plus nightly misting — crestes drink from droplets on leaves and glass. A fine mist 1–2× daily maintains humidity while letting the enclosure dry between cycles (no stagnant damp).

Defensive displays

tail drop (common — tails do not regrow in this species)vocalizing (squeaks, barks)jumping

Legal & ecology

Conservation

IUCN Red List

VU · Vulnerable

Wild populations

Listed as Vulnerable by IUCN due to habitat loss in New Caledonia. Captive population is large and genetically well-established; all animals in the pet trade should be captive-bred.

Genetics

Morphs

Morph market

Active

Complexity

Moderate

Citations

Sources

Every husbandry parameter on this page is backed by the references below. Click through to read the originals.

Crested Gecko Care Sheet
ReptiFiles
breeder community
Keeper reference for Correlophus ciliatus with veterinary cross-referenced husbandry ranges.
Published: 2023-01-01
Crested Gecko Care
Pangea Reptile
breeder community
Industry reference from a major crested gecko breeder and MRP manufacturer.
Published: 2023-01-01
Crested Gecko Care
Tree of Life Exotic Pet Medical Center
veterinary
Veterinary husbandry reference for Correlophus ciliatus.
Published: 2023-01-01