LOCUS.Scales
Species care guide
Crested gecko
Quick sourced reference values. LOCUS Scales' full breeding/genetics toolset is built specifically for ball pythons — this page is a courtesy reference for other species.
Scientific name
Correlophus ciliatus
Native range
New Caledonia
Tropical species — active debate in the community over the ideal warm range. Cautious school (majority in generic care sheets): never exceed 27-28°C (80-82°F), risk of heat stress/death beyond that. Warmer school (backed by an experimental study measuring a 30°C preferred temperature across 26 individuals, with better growth rate in animals free to thermoregulate): experienced breeders report noticeably more active and robust animals at 28-30°C (82-86°F), consistent with New Caledonia's warm summers. Both schools agree on the essential: always keep a real gradient with an accessible cool zone, regardless of the warm-side target.
Diet: Omnivore — base of a complete commercial powder (Repashy, Pangea) mixed with water, insects (crickets, dubia) as a supplement only.
Feeding frequency: Juvenile: powder every day to every other day + insects 1-2x/week. Adult: powder 3-4x/week + insects 0-1x/week.
Substrate: Coconut fiber (Eco Earth) — the standard, holds humidity well. Alone or as the base of a bioactive setup. Never sand or wood chips.
🏠 Enclosure size
Baby : ~8×8×12in (hatchling, up to ~5g)
Sub-adult : ~12×12×18in (juvenile)
Adult : 18×18×24in minimum — height matters most, arboreal species
Common questions
Does the tail grow back if my gecko loses it?
No, never — unlike the leopard gecko where the tail regrows (shorter/less attractive), tail loss in crested geckos is permanent. Once it drops, only a stump remains, it doesn't come back. This is exactly why you avoid handling by the tail and limit stress/falls.
How do I actually maintain 65% humidity?
Manual misting 1-2 times/day (morning and evening) remains the simplest and most effective method for a beginner — humidity should rise after misting then drop back down before the next one, not stay constantly soaked. A programmable automatic mister becomes useful if you travel often or want more consistency. Live plants and a good water-retaining substrate (coco fiber) also help stabilize levels between mistings.
Do I really need a heat lamp?
Depends which school you follow (active debate, see the temperature note above). If you're aiming for the cautious range (22-26°C/72-79°F) and your room stays there year-round, no additional heating is needed. If you're aiming for 28-30°C (82-86°F) like some experienced breeders (animals reportedly more active and robust at that temperature), a small supplemental heater generally becomes necessary in most homes. Either way: never a heat source without a thermostat, and always keep a real accessible cool zone.
What actually needs to go inside the enclosure, beyond just the right size?
Arboreal species — height and content matter more than floor space. Provide several branches/vines at different heights to climb, foliage (real or artificial) to hide and feel secure, and ideally live plants which also help with humidity. An enclosure with just an empty floor, even the right size, leaves the animal stressed and without bearings.
UVB — necessary or not?
Historically considered unnecessary (nocturnal species), but like several other species on this list, current research shows a real benefit to low-intensity UVB (Ferguson zone 1-2, low-output tube or a heavily shaded setup). Not strictly required if dietary D3 is adequate, but increasingly recommended as best practice.
Why isn't my gecko sticking to the glass like it used to?
Worth watching closely — it's one of the very first signs of illness or a health issue in this species. Its feet work like real suction cups (adhesive lamellae) thanks to millions of microscopic hairs; when a healthy gecko loses that grip, it often points to dehydration, a deficiency, or a broader issue affecting the whole animal before other symptoms even become visible. If this happens, it's worth checking hydration and overall condition rather than waiting.