The numbers
Enclosure
45 × 45 × 60 cm
Diet
Commercial Crested Gecko Diet (CGD) powder
Temperature
night 18–22 °C fine
Humidity
60–80% (mist daily; dry between)
UVB
Optional low-level beneficial
Identity
Family / Order
Diplodactylidae / Squamata
Origin
Distribution
Humid tropical forest (arboreal)
Adult size
~20–25 cm total
Lifespan (captivity)
15–20 yrs
Activity
Nocturnal; arboreal
Temperament
Docile but jumpy; very easy
Price (THB)
~1,000–4,000 (morphs more)
Morphs
12 morphs, with how each one is inherited. 3 of them carry a documented welfare cost, and those are listed first. A morph list that hides this sells a pattern and says nothing about what it costs the animal.
Frappuccino (Capp×Lily)comboCarries Lily White lethal-super riskSuper form: —Welfare risk
Lily WhiteDominantHomozygous non-viable — never Lily White × Lily WhiteSuper form: Super = LETHALWelfare risk
CappuccinoCo-dominantSuper linked to tail/viability issues in some linesSuper form: Super CappuccinoCaution
AxanthicRecessiveBlack & whiteSuper form: —
DalmatianLine-bredSpottingSuper form: —
Empty BackLine-bredSuper form: —
Extreme Harlequin / TricolorLine-bredSuper form: —
FlameLine-bredSuper form: —
HarlequinLine-bredSuper form: —
Pinstripe / Partial PinLine-bredStructuralSuper form: —
PortholesLine-bredSuper form: —
Tiger / BrindleLine-bredSuper form: —
Enclosure and conditions
Ambient
22–26 °C (72–78 °F)
Night
18–22 °C fine
Note
Avoid > 29 °C — heat-sensitive
Humidity
60–80% (mist daily; dry between)
UVB (required)
Optional low-level beneficial
Min. size
45 × 45 × 60 cm vertical (height matters)
Substrate
Coco / bioactive (humidity)
Furnishings
Lots of branches, foliage, cork
Water
Dish + misting droplets
Diet
Staple
Commercial Crested Gecko Diet (CGD) powder
Method
CGD 2–3×/week (mix with water)
Staple insects
Crickets/dubia 1–2×/week, dusted
Prey size
≤ space between the eyes
Water
Fresh + droplets from misting
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Tolerant but jumpy — 'hand-walking'
Tail
Drops tail and does NOT regrow (normal)
Cohabitation
Best solo; never 2 males
Defense
May squeak/jump; rarely bites
Children
Good with calm handling
Reproduction
Sexual maturity
15–18 months / ~35 g
Sexing
♂ hemipenal bulge (no femoral pores)
Clutch
2 eggs every ~4–6 weeks in season
Incubation
~60–90 days at 22–25 °C
Note
No supplemental heat needed to breed
Common health problems
Metabolic bone disease
Signsweak jaw/limbs
Preventcomplete CGD + supplement
Floppy Tail Syndrome
Signstail flips over the head at rest
Preventvary perches / horizontal rest spots
Dysecdysis (toes)
Signsstuck shed on toes
Preventmist + humid hide
Overheating
Signsstress/death > 29 °C
Preventkeep cool, no strong heat lamp
When to see a vet
This is not veterinary advice. If red flags appear (open-mouth breathing, months of weight loss, 'stargazing', persistent regurgitation) consult a qualified exotic (herp) veterinarian. Quarantine new arrivals 30–90 days.
Good to know
- The 'eyelash gecko' — a crest of soft spines over each eye.
- Thought extinct until rediscovered in 1994 in New Caledonia.
- Can thrive on a complete powdered diet — no live food strictly required.
Common questions
Must I feed insects?
No — CGD is complete; insects are enrichment.
Does the tail grow back?
No — adults are often tailless and perfectly healthy.
Do they need heat?
Usually room temperature is fine; avoid overheating.
What it needs
- Vertical terrarium 45×45×60
- Branches & foliage
- Coco substrate
- Crested Gecko Diet (CGD)
- Feeder insects
- Calcium + D3
- Mister/spray bottle
- Hygro/thermometer