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How to Choose a Crested Gecko

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 3 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

Ranked #1060 in Animals, #22337 overall

Rated G. (Control what you see)

Crested Geckos

 

Crested geckos are fairly new to the pet market when compared to other pet reptiles and geckos in the trade. But, that doesn't mean they are any harder to care for. Actually, they make one of the best beginner reptiles because of their ease in captivity.

Although, the average lifespan is unknown, it is estimated that they can life an average of 10-15 years like most other pet geckos when at their optimum health and care.

So, when bringing home a crested gecko, you should be familiar with how to properly care for the species and how to choose a healthy gecko. Becuase even if you know everything about the care and husbandry of crested geckos, if you bring home a sick gecko, you may be in for a long ride.

Crested Gecko Care Sheet

HERE is an extensive caresheet.

It includes: History, Temperament, Size, Lifespan, Enclosure Size, Substrate, Decor, Lighting, Heating, Humidity,and Diet information.

As well as product suggestions and help.

Where to Buy a Crested Gecko 

Once you've decided to bring home a crested gecko, and you've done all your research, meaning you know the proper husbandry and diet, you're ready to pick out a crested gecko.

You need to take into consideration a few things...
  • Retail Reptiles
  • Breeder Reptiles

    When purchasing a crested gecko from a pet store you will need to take into account:
  • Their current husbandry may not be correct.
  • Unknown genetic history
  • Unknown history, in general

    With retail reptiles, you do not know whether or not the parents were health and not prone to genetic disorders.

    Plus, because crested geckos are not as widely known, the employess may now be aware of proper care and husbandry of the reptile. And, a reptile that has not be properly cared for will be in stress, which can worsen and create other health problems even after it is removed and placed in a proper setting.

    Whereas, with breeders, they take care and pride into their reptiles, and any sign of a health concern that may have a slim chance of being hereditary, is removed from the breeding groups.

    With breeders, there are two different kinds: one who sells hatchlings right out of the egg to cut down feeding expenses and that who likes to make sure that the hatchlings get a head start, making sure that they are healthy and eating.

    When shopping with a breeder online, in most cases you can shop around and look at the various photos of available crested geckos, in order to pick the pone that you like. Just make sure to ask about age.

    But, it all falls down to your opinion, as not all pet store reptiles are sickly, housed improperly, etc. And, you may not want to pay the 45-55$ for overnight shipping from a breeder.

    You can alway consider a local reptile show. To which you will normally find cheaper prices, more variety, and breeders.

    • Harlequin Male Crested Gecko

    Signs of a Healthy Crested Gecko 

    It may be difficult to asses a gecko's health by just looking in its enclosure, so ask to hold the crested gecko for closer inspection.

    Check to make sure that the gecko has the characteristics found below, as they are those found in healthy crested geckos.

  • Acceptable body weight is the first sign of a healthy gecko.
  • No external blemishes such as bite marks, skin tears, sores, rashes, etc.
  • Clear eyes with pupils that appear as thin slits
  • Clean ears, nostrils, and vent.
  • Free of mites.
  • No kinks in the spine, pelvis, or tail bones.
  • If the gecko is tailess, make sure that it is completely healed.
  • No hard masses along the underside of the abdomen.
  • Ease of movement.

    Unhealthy crested geckos exhibit the following characteristics:

  • Thin appearance could indicate parasites or unproper feeding/diet.
  • Protuding hip bones (even if the rest of the body may have bulky) indicates major health concerns.
  • External blemishes can indicate parasites, stress, bullying
  • Eyes that are sunken into the head.
  • Pupils that are widely dilated under normal light.
  • Retained shed can indicate improper husbandry.
  • Discharge from the eyes, nose, and vent can indicate respiratory infection or other illnesses.
  • Mites.
  • Kinks in the spine, pelvies, or tail bones can indicate improper supplementing and diet.
  • Hard mass on the underside of the abdomen can indicat impaction or retained eggs.
  • Lethargy or difficuly moving can indicate a very serious concern.

    Make sure to inspect the caging, as well as the gecko. Make sure that any feces in the tank is well formed and not liquefied. Ask what they are eating and what supplementation they are recieving (since you have done the proper research, you know what the diet should be).

    If you have any concerns about the health or care of a crested gecko, do not bring it home. Because, although rehabilitation is rewarding in itself, it can be very costly...

    • Flame Female

    Crested Gecko Morphs 

    Choose your favorite...

    Although, they are fairly new to the market, crested geckos already come in a variety of morphs. Which is one more reason that you should love them! ;-)

    Breeders tend to have a higher quality crested gecko than what you will find at your local pet store. Breeders are selectively breeding crested gecko for "designer" morphs versus your more basic ones.
    • Patternless
      Olive
      Tan
    • Red
      Red Harlequin
      Red Dalmatian
    • Cream (Creamsicle)
      Cream Harlequin
    • Flame (Fire)
    • Harlequin
      Extreme Harlequin
      Harlequin Pinstripe
    • Pinstripe
    • Dalmatian
      Extreme Dalmatian
    • Tiger (Brindle)
    • Exaggerated Crests

    Crested Gecko Breeders 

    #1

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    goReptiles

    Hobby breeder of select geckos, to include leopard more...0 points

    #2

    Vote Up
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    Geckophiles

    Josh and Katie own and run Geckophiles, which is l more...0 points

    #3

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    Crested Gecko-Garrick Demeyer

    Garrick DeMeyer breeds leopard geckos, African fat more...0 points

    #4

    Vote Up
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    CC Herps

    Produces high quality crested gecko morphs, to inc more...0 points

    #5

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    AC Reptiles

    Famous for his crested geckos. They produce high q more...0 points

    #6

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    Ryan Turnquist Reptiles

    Produces high quality crested geckos.0 points

    My favorite crested gecko morph

    Harlequin Pinstripe

    Feedback? Comments? Questions? 

    SilvaraWilde

    Wonderful lens, I didn't realize they came in so many different colors/patterns.

    Posted March 05, 2008
    EelKat

    wow, you're right, stuff is out of wack right now. Hopefully Squidoo will have the bugs fixed in a few days... I haven't dared open my lenses to see what they've done to them! LOL!

    Great lens though, lots of info here.

    Posted March 04, 2008
    Comfortdoc

    Thank you for joining the SquidKnol Group.

    Posted January 29, 2008
    Karelmicek

    Very nice and interesting lens. 5 stars.

    Posted December 21, 2007

    Related topics: Crested Geckos,  available crested gecko,  breeding crested gecko morphs,  Animals & Nature,  more

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