I'm Treating Myself...

**fire2225ems** · #1 03-29-2008, 01:37 AM

Well, for the last few months I have been feeling the lack of anything scaly or slimy around...

And after the day I've had today decided I needed to do something about that. I want something that is going to be pretty easy to take care of and isn't going to need a whole lot in the way of enclosure requirements. So I was trying to decide between a Pacman, a Leo, and a Crestie. I finally decided that I wanted to try the Crestie, mainly because of the fact that it seems like they are the easiest to feed considering I wouldn't have to worry about getting to the store 3 times a week for crickets, and they can be handled. I went to the store tonight to have a look and almost came home with one even though I don't have a home set up for it yet. Now I just gotta spend the next 2 days setting something up... I'm looking for a larger tank online, but thought that for now I might put in in a 10gal on its side. I think that eventually I want to try and do the whole back ground wall and everything and just basically go all out.

Now I just need to figure out the basics. I know that they like plenty of stuff to climb on. What else do I need to think about? Do they need humidity or would one of the screen set ups or even tank toppers work well? Is a water dish suggested or should I just let them drink from me spraying? Where would be the best place to find one or should I get 2?

**caudalis_sa** · #2 03-29-2008, 05:20 AM

water bowl I reckon is essential...screen cages can be used...i have. If you use a screen cage just spray once a day to keep humidity up to par. good luck...i think crested geckos are the ultimate pet herp...tooo awesome no matter how many people have them

**schlegelbagel** · #3 03-29-2008, 09:40 AM

shell, you of all people

We have a care sheet you know.

Crested Gecko Caresheet (Rhacodactylus ciliatus) - Reptile Information - Caresheets Database

As for where go to get him, go to the Havre De Grace reptile show on April 12. There are so many crestie dealers, you would have the pick of the lot.
Maryland Reptile Farm - Shows

And I would spend the extra few dollars and go for the 20 gallon. It would be OK laying flat.

**fire2225ems** · #4 03-29-2008, 10:06 AM

I did look at the care sheet
Didn't see anything about actual temp range or humidity range tho...

**schlegelbagel** · #5 03-29-2008, 10:52 AM

well thats totally lacking and should be taken care of then. How can you have a care sheet that doesn't have temps and humidity?

Although I will guess humid is in order, like Red Eye Tree Frog. They are tropical.

**schlegelbagel** · #6 03-29-2008, 11:30 AM

on a side note, i just found this on craigs list!
Reptile Aquarium

TashaDawn · #7 03-30-2008, 04:28 AM

Our Crested Geckos are happiest right around 75 degrees, which in Vancouver, is about perfect house temp. We mist them twice daily, heavily at night, and lightly in the morning. We use 20 gallon tanks upright with lots of vines and branches, and a screen front. The screen lets it dry out quite a bit, which is why we mist twice. They always have CGD available, and have a water dish, although 95% of the time, they drink from the sprayed plants. We also give them crickets every once in a while as treats. (as long as you're feeding CGD, I recommend T-Rex brand, they don't *need* crickets, but ours like them).
Play with them regularly, but not for long stints, you'll find out soon when they're ready to go back to their homes!
Good luck!

**furryscaly** · #8 03-30-2008, 04:54 AM

lol, just couldn't resist huh Shell

I've never kept or even cared for Crested Geckos, but I'll see if we can get that caresheet updated.

I also moved your thread. We have a forum for crested geckos

**Rich** · #9 03-30-2008, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schlegelbagel

well thats totally lacking and should be taken care of then. How can you have a care sheet that doesn't have temps and humidity?

Isn't that the truth! What moron let that slip through? Oh wait, I would be that moron. lol I didn't write that caresheet, but I did add it to the R.I.D. I should have caught it.

Needless to say, it has been corrected.

To save you some time checking, this was added:

Quote:

The daytime heating for a crested gecko should fall between 72 - 80 degrees. Shooting for a temperature between 76-78 degrees is ideal on the warm end. For many enthusiasts, no supplemental heating devices are required. If you do require supplemental heating, an under tank heater on one end of the tank or a low watt light bulb can be used to reach desired temps if required. (Cresties are an arboreal species and spend a vast amount of time off the ground. Overhead heating devices are preferred over under tank heaters.)

Avoid exceeding temperatures beyond 85 degrees. These animals come from a cooler climate and excessive heat stresses them greatly.

Night time temperatures can be allowed to drop to the mid 60's, though this isn't required as a necessity unless you are cooling them for breeding. If you are using an air conditioner or central air and the temperatures are dropping lower then 62 degrees, use can use red nocturnal lights to create a slight rise in the temps.

Like most reptiles, a photoperiod of 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness is preferred. During the summer months, the daytime photoperiod can be extended to 14 hours if you wish.

Crested Geckos do well in moderate humidity. Moderate should not be misconstrued for "wet". A consistent humidity level of around 65- 75% is adequate. A large water bowl and regular mistings can help achieve this.

Crested geckos are nocturnal thus they require no special lighting. UVB lights can be used to simulate daylight but is not necessary for them to absorb calcium or Vitamin D-3.

**fire2225ems** · #10 03-30-2008, 10:13 AM

thanks guys! (funny thing is that the chick at PetCo told me 85-95 for the temp range. I know my eyebrows shot up at that one. I hadn't gotten a for sure answer but figured it had to be in the 70's since people are always saying that they can basically be kept around room temp.)


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