Getting a pet is a huge responsibility, and you must do your research to get the right accessories. Most pets are warm-blooded, and they can live in human surroundings without many adjustments.
You might have to change if you get a cold-blooded pet, like a crested gecko. Cold-blooded animals will need more attention, and some can be rather delicate.
You must have the right amount of heat in the cage at all times. Let us take a closer look at this and see if crested geckos need a heat lamp;
Do Crested Geckos Need A Heat Lamp?
Crested geckos don’t need high temperatures to survive, but it will be more comfortable for them. They will be okay at room temperature, around 220C; most people won’t need a heat lamp.
You might need the lamp during winter or in a climate that has lower room temperatures. Keep the heat at about 220 or 230 Celsius, and your gecko will be fine.
Details On Heating Requirements For Crested Geckos
Crested geckos are some of the best reptiles, and you must keep all their requirements in mind. They are cold-blooded, so the temperature is crucial when thinking about their enclosure. Here are some things you need to keep in mind;
The tank should have a constant temperature of about 780F. This heat can be the room temperature, but you might need a heating option for colder environments. Crested geckos live in relatively cool environments, so you shouldn’t keep the heat high.
Temperatures of 900 F or higher can harm the gecko, and it is best to keep it low. It would be best if you also allowed the gecko to manage its body temperature. This flexibility means the enclosure should ideally have warm and cool spots.
This difference will allow the gecko to shift its position and warm or cool its body for maximum comfort. You could add a basking spot hotter than the enclosure. It should be about 830 F and easily accessible to the gecko.
Use a thermometer to ensure you know the exact temperature inside the enclosure. You could use a low-wattage bulb to generate some heat in the tank.
You could install a thermostat to manage the heat and ensure your gecko has a longer lifespan.
Understanding Your Crested Gecko’s Behavior
Crested geckos are rather easy to find. You can find one in reptile expos, pet shops, reptile shops, etc. They are also cheap going for about $35, and there are many morphs to choose from.
You can go to a breeder and get the best gecko for you. You can look at many different geckos and choose whichever suits you best. There are many breeders around the US since Crested geckos are easy to breed.
Crested geckos are a unique species and one of the best reptiles to keep in the house. They aren’t dangerous, but you need to understand them. Knowledge is important to help you provide the best care for perfect health.
Behavior is one of the most crucial aspects of choosing the reptile in your house. The ways they act, do they bite? Can you handle them? Luckily crested geckos are not vicious, and their teeth are quite harmless.
If you stress them out enough, they could bite you, but it is very unlikely. Generally, crested geckos are very slow, and you will see them crawl across surfaces. They can be quick, but it’s not as fast as some reptiles can get.
Crested geckos can jump; they will jump from hand to hand or onto your face. They are also easy to handle, and they get used to you rather quickly. They won’t move around that much even when you hold them.
They will crawl on your arm and hand, but it isn’t easy for you to spook them. If you scare the gecko, it will poop on you, which is one of the problems. They will poop on you often, especially when they are not used to you.
Crested geckos have personalities, and this is something you should consider. Some are calm, and they will rarely jump, while others are jumpy and panicky. You will get to know each individual and their personality so you can handle them better.
It would help if you tried handling the gecko before buying it to see how it reacts to you. This allows you to get the perfect personality since you will have the pet for years.
Crested geckos will retain their behavior. So how they act as babies is how they will act when they grow up.
One major concern with crested geckos is that they can lose their tail. This is a big deal for some people, especially since the tail won’t grow back. This change leaves the gecko with a little frog butt which most owners overreact to.
Tail loss isn’t a big deal, and it often happens with crested geckos. It doesn’t mean you did anything wrong; sometimes, you could go to bed and find the gecko bit its tail off. Don’t let a rough child handle the gecko.
Rough handling could easily lead to serious injuries to the fragile crested gecko. Keep the gecko in a safe enclosure, preferably glass, so they can see their surroundings. Crested geckos are all-around amazing reptiles that will be fun to be around.
Crested Gecko Full Care Guide
Crested geckos are some of the most popular reptile pets in the US. You need to understand these reptiles and know how to take good care of them to ensure they live long. Let us break this down and give you all the information you need;
1. Size
Before you get any reptiles, you need to know how big they can get. Male and female crested geckos are not that different in size; they are both between 6 to 190 inches. One contributing factor to the size is whether the gecko has a tail or not.
Crested geckos might not have a tail; the tail could fall off. A crack of lightning or another scary situation could make the tail fall off. You don’t need to worry about it since they can live healthy lives even without a tail.
2. Enclosure
It would be best to use the largest values when considering an enclosure for the crested gecko. One of the best parts about crested geckos is that they won’t take too much space in your home. You should have about 15 0r 20 gallons for one gecko.
Females can live together, so you can get a pair. You will need double the size, about 40 or 30 gallons, in such a scenario.
A large enclosure will allow you to have plants and trees. These additions will make the gecko’s surroundings more comfortable and familiar.
Crested geckos are arboreal lizards, which means you will need more height. You need to have enough room for them to move around in branches and leaves. They should have places to hide off the ground, in the trees, and behind ledges.
3. Heat, lighting, and humidity
You don’t need a water bowl for crested geckos. Naturally, they won’t drink standing water; they will drink off the enclosure’s glass, a leaf, or other surfaces. You can spray the enclosure twice a day to keep the place moist and the leaves wet.
You could also use a misting system in the enclosure, and it will work since crested geckos prefer high humidity. The humidity should be at about 80% and have more water if the humidity is lower.
The temperature should be around or above room temperature, 750 to 780 Fahrenheit. You can have a significant night drop to about 650 Fahrenheit.
Crested geckos don’t like basking; they hide most of the time, so it isn’t something you should worry about.
Lightning needs are simple for crested geckos. They don’t need any lighting, UVB will be beneficial, but they can live without it.
The important thing is to ensure they get a full photocycle of day and night. They should know when it is day and when it is night time to act normally and live healthier.
4. Diet
If you feed the geckos, they will last longer than if you don’t. In the wild, crested geckos mostly eat ripe fruit and insects. Several powder options in the market can supplement the gecko’s diet.
They have additions of live insects and fruit, making the diet more natural and effective. You can give them actual fruits or pinhead crickets. It would help to feed them on a ledge or branch since they feel safer eating off the ground.
Conclusion
Do crested geckos need a heat lump? Well, you know the answer. Crested geckos need a relatively average temperature, so room temperature will work perfectly. You can add a basking spot with higher temperatures, but keep it below 870F.
Moisture is also crucial for crested geckos, and you need to spray their environment. They will drink from the surfaces; keep the moisture at about 80%. There are numerous breeds and personalities to choose from; you will love crested geckos.
