In-Depth Crested Gecko Care Guide! *Everything you NEED to know*

Crested geckos are not only one of the best pet reptiles, but one of the easiest to care for! So let's go over EVERYTHING you need to know to take care of a Crested Gecko! From what enclosure to keep them in, how to setup a crested gecko enclosure, to what crested geckos need to eat, I tried to go into as much detail as possible on how to successfully keep these guys from the time they're small, until they're full grown!
Other helpful videos:
5 Easiest Ways to Kill a Crested Gecko (don't make these mistakes)- • 5 Easiest Ways to Kill...
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR CRESTED GECKO WON'T EAT- • WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR C...
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0:00 Intro
1:57 Fun Facts
3:59 Enclosure Size
8:45 Can You Cohab Them?
10:05 Substrate & Decor
13:55 Temperature
19:02 Light Cycle
20:55 UVB
23:03 Humidity/Misting
25:10 Diet
30:43 Outro
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[@sweetsky701]

I’ve had a couple reptiles through out my life. Ball python, turtles, and currently I’ve had a leopard gecko since 2019. Today I impulsively took in a 20 year old crested gecko. This video is so helpful because I truly did not know too much about them. I hope to give King Julian a stable, loving, and healthy home for the rest of his years.

[@CliffTheAlien]

I can't explain why, but I feel like crested geckos are the ninjas of the reptile world.

[@MaraJadeSkky]

Derpiest reptile ninja I've ever seen. I'd place gargoyle geckos a little higher, because mine is a ninja when it comes to not wanting to be seen. I'll go so many days without seeing her (but the food in her lil bowl magically disappears), I'll check to see if she's even in her enclosure. (She's always in her enclosure lol!)

[@TheLadyShred]

I'm getting my first crested gecko in a few days, so I listened to the whole video literally absorbing all the information like a sponge. Thank you for such an informational video.

[@sydneywachtler9327]

I’ll never forget an admin of a leopard gecko group arguing with me that nighttime temp drops would kill a gecko, and when I pointed out that temp fluctuations happen all the time in the wild, she told me that leopard geckos are domesticated and genetically different than wild leopard geckos. Also same group said that enrichment isn’t needed. I left that group.

[@katiekelley7919]

I was watching your other crestie care video last week in preparation for the crested gecko I just bought! This was released with perfect timing since I just got it. I've been dying to get one for about 5 years now and watching your channel really sparked my interest in reptiles :)

[@tylerrugge]

Yayyy thank you! So glad to hear that 🥹 congrats on getting a crestie I hope you enjoy!!

[@katiekelley7919]

@@tylerrugge Thank you! He has been amazing so far and I love him so much already! ☺️

[@rrome.]

update of the gecko?!

[@chrisperkins2308]

Awesome video man. Very well put together and helps out alot!

[@heathervenom251]

Yay!! I was just watching your other crestie videos yesterday night! I'm glad you made a in-depth care guide! Thank youu!

[@tylerrugge]

You're so welcome!

[@amivivi6420]

this is the best guide on crested gecko i found. so many details that i didnr see in other guides. thank you!

[@danielleb.7055]

This was an awesome video, thanks for taking the time to make this and share w us. This is probably the best video or info that I have found on crested care. Thanks again. Have a great day

[@tylerrugge]

So glad to hear it was helpful for you!! Thank you

[@Arvaamaton]

I’m not sure how I feel about seeing only 32 minutes of the 4 hours you filmed. 🤭

[@IansExotics26]

Thank you so much! This was exactly what I needed! You never disappoint Tyler!

[@samanthacastillo6259]

Thank you so much! This was extremely helpful. Not over complicated at all. Very detailed and str8 to the point! 🦎❤️

[@hawk8966]

You are amazing. I have been preparing myself in getting a crested gecko enclosure And your video has helped me tremendously. Thank you

[@marzipanmango]

I'm setting up a bioactive enclosure right now, and dang it's expensive 😅 I'm gonna let the plants grow for a month or two before I buy the gecko. Good luck with your enclosure!

[@marydrouillard5623]

You did a Great job on the crested, gecko care guide, very interesting.

[@benannen2431]

Great Video, thanks for Sharing 🎉😊

[@christin418]

Perfect timing. I'm buying my daughter her first crested gecko in 2 weeks.

[@tylerrugge]

Nice!!

[@MaraJadeSkky]

My daughter started helping me with my geckos when she was 6, now she's 11 and can handle taking care of them completely. Her dad and I are going out of town for a week (grandparents are coming to housesit for us) and I feel very certain my kid will do just fine taking care of the reptiles for me.🐍🦎💚

[@ryanbenson6669]

I would listen to you talk about Crested Gecko care for more than an hour. I just brought my new family member home and want to do the best I can to help him/her thrive. Thank you!!

[@bullfrogjay4383]

I appreciate this info. I picked up a crestie about a month ago and really like him. He doesn't really like crickets but he will eat mealworms and wax worms. I only feed him one or two a week since Wax worms are high in fat. Super cool little creature.

[@CoralMan24]

Great video breed them for over 15 years then got out of it for some years now back in and always like to see other breeders and hobbyist loving there cresties and giving great information :)

[@tylerrugge]

Thank you!! Means a lot 🙏🏼

[@CoralMan24]

@@tylerrugge Your welcome thanks for sharing your beautiful reptiles :)

[@user-zb5nq4fc8o]

The Crested Gecko are so cool and great. I'm also a person who loves cre. I watched this video to get a lot of information.

[@bnutz3k]

I love your video. Srsly... Somewhat impulsively bought my first crestie yesterday and this is immensely helpful!

[@bnutz3k]

I'mma buy some of your stuffs. Thank you.

[@rrome.]

hey, I hope you have researched by now (for the crestie)! Update on the crestie?

[@bnutz3k]

@@rrome. he's doing awesome! He's a bit food driven and will wait at the door every night for snacks. Very cute. I use the silicone bottle cap bowls every day. :)

[@rrome.]

@@bnutz3k that’s great! he seems to like you a lot :D

[@PixelPit757]

thanks for that biodude plug, my cresteds will greatly appreciate it!

[@reptiqueen7275]

I'm getting my first crestie next week! I've been binging youtube videos

[@krazykid2002k]

Yesss I want one he looks amazing

[@christysank7705]

Wow that is so cool and yeah been think of great one of my know never had a reptile before

[@wilsoncaban1580]

Like the video I'm getting a crested gecko, so this is very good info.

[@loriw2661]

I’ve been considering getting a Crestie and this video sealed the deal. I’ve wanted a bioactive enclosure but I have Ball Pythons and they’re just too heavy for plants. I’m going to get an enclosure and set it up, making sure the parameters are good. Then I’d like to get my gecko from you. I’ll look at your website to see how that’s done. Thanks for a great, in-depth video!🦎❤️🦎

[@tylerrugge]

We’ll have geckos listed on our morph market in the spring as soon as shipping weather is better! 😎

[@loriw2661]

@@tylerrugge Excellent! Thank you!

[@brookeharris4599]

The CRESTED GECKO CONTENT ❤

[@planetpokemon1490]

Hello, thank you for this helpful video. I noticed you linked the 10 gallon Biodude Crested Gecko kit and I was wondering if this kit holds enough for an adult gecko or is this for a juvenile? Also, I am having trouble finding a decently priced, perfectly sized terrarium for an adult crested gecko. Would you be able to recommend one? Thank you for your time. Great video.

[@brenleighbaggett9479]

I am getting a crestie and i cant freaking wait

[@waterboundwitch3921]

I met you today!…now I’m following you!

[@tylerrugge]

Thank you!! It was great meeting you 😁

[@1984watchr]

I love cresties! They are so cute

[@cyberwraith2k1]

Yes, cresties were rediscovered in the wild, but they are still at risk for various reasons. They have a CITES status of vulnerable.

[@thediplomat1124]

Great video! Qq how sanitary are geckos? For example should you always wipe surfaces where they have been when outside of the enclosure?

[@pamkonen8593]

I purchased the naturalistic terrarium tropical kit, 12x12x18, is it ok to use the tropical lighting combo that comes with the kit?

[@richardlynch6857]

How often should you handle a crested geckos and any tip on how to stop them jumping until they are in a safe place to jump

[@Few295]

I’m getting my crestie today!!!!🎉🥳

[@dahliawildman3360]

I'm going to get a crested gecko soon, and I got a new tank a few days ago and its 18 inches tall. the floor space is 25 inches wide by 13 inches long. do you think that's big enough or should I try and get a larger one? (its 20 gallons btw)

[@tamrtay]

Is there a specific mesh you use when building your enclosure?

[@rsherwood7420]

I’ve watch this video a couple times.. I have a interesting question. We have two crested geckos( each around 20-25grams)..that we have try repeatedly to more from 12x12x18 to a 18x18x24.. they stop eating and start to lost weight.. we put them back in the 12x12x18.. they are fine.. eat, growing, etc.. do they necessarily have to be in 20gallon as a adult? Cause these two seem to think otherwise. Thank you in advance

[@richardsanchez5444]

19:11 ok so when its nighttime should i have any lights on at all? I went bioactive i have currently a uvb light, which helps the plants so should I have that on during the day n then at night just be in the dark? The enclosure is in my living room which gets decent light. By the way i don't have my gecko yet, I wanted the enclosure to be ready first.

[@slickityslothluvr]

been trying to do some research for the gecko i’m (hopefully) getting can i just feed them insects and some fruit or should i get that diet stuff

[@Living.Fossils]

Definetly needed this, but a question ive had for a while is if females get impacted from the infertile eggs they lay?

[@MaraJadeSkky]

They can, but it seems kind of rare. My friend's crestie couldn't pass her egg and passed away, but my females have been laying infertile eggs no problem for 6 years.

[@austinjones5270]

My wife and I are looking to get into taking care of a crested gecko or two. We have been helping our friends with theirs when they leave town and have fallen in love with them. Does your company breed and sell crested geckos? If not would you care to recommend a breeder/breeders to ease the search?

[@kattenbelletje]

I will get my first Crested gecko in a few weeks and I'm looking to see if there are suitable tank mates for them. I'm thinking about ading vampire crabs to the enclosure, but I'm unsure if that would be a good combination. Will the geckos be able to eat adult vampire crabs or are they to big and hard shelled? Wil the crabs be able to harm an adult gecko or will the gecko be able to easily defend itself? I can find plenty of example online of people keeping vampire crabs with mourning geckos. But no examples of people keeping vampire crabs and crested geckos. I hope someone here has some experience with this pairing.

[@annaperry8452]

I saw they now have a shadedweller arboreal version as well. Which I bought which has a lower uvb percentage and made for arboreal shadedwelling reptiles. Do you think that one is ok as well? It is an Arcadia and it’s a shadedweller but labeled shadedweller arboreal.

[@MaddieSmith]

Those are fine as well :)

[@morgangossen9739]

The jumping at the start got me cry laughing so bad. I love when crested geckos jump😂

[@tyfunnyass]

hi tyler i have a crested gecko and it’s like i go to pick him up i get under his chin he doesn’t move but he doesn’t crawl on idk why but i’m scared to just grab him i don’t want to hurt em but after i get enough confidence he finally gets bored of being steal and tried to dip out his enclosure

[@user-ji1ow4ib3o]

I have a 40 gal breeder with two males. I have had them both for nine years. Never had an issue.

[@ballistic350]

Bought my 1st cr3sted gecko last weekend.. this coming weekend gonna buy my 1st adult pair. To breed in the future

[@kaitheherpchic5852]

The breeder I got my crestie from only fed insects and leechie diet. I've had her for almost 6 months and she still won't touch the mix. (I only put a dab in her bowl every 2-3 days so I can tell she hasn't touched it) She's pooping, but I've seen her eating the isopods... I'm really worried for her health. She's still very small. Last I weighed her she was barely in the healthy weight range for her age.

[@Harige_CLAN]

What terrarium do you suggest for a baby crested gecko?

[@pricklypear1704]

I would get a small plastic bin, it holds humidity well and it is a tried and true way to keep the baby healthy and eating. You could buy a micro exo terra for spiders or inverts, but it’s a waste of money since you would have to upgrade when he grows.

[@cG-es8mb]

When keeping babies in a tote. Do you add limbs in there so they can climb a little?

[@maryjanegoddess710]

Do full spectrum plant lights and reptile basking bulbs both provide UVB/UVA?

[@MaddieSmith]

No they don’t. You’ll need a separate UVB light if you’d like to offer UVB

[@LuxXLost]

I have a question as someone who is possibly getting my first gecko. Is there anything specific you need to have to mist? I’ve never had a reptile before, and I don’t want to forget something. Does a normal mist spray bottle work..?

[@MaddieSmith]

A normal misting bottle works!

[@will9167]

If it’s not eating because of its enclosure being too big can I just hold the food right in front of him while they eat?

[@kanine.]

what should i do if the tank gets too hot or too cold ? how do i fix it ?

[@brandyboyd9102]

What can you mix eco earth with? I already bought it and hopefully it won't go to waste.

[@MaddieSmith]

Top soil and sand, or peat moss and sand :)

[@bendyrockstar7012]

Love your videos always!!! Amazing Animals fun!! ❤❤🖤🖤👍🏻👍🏻💚💚🕷🪳🥳

[@lbeard7661]

“1994 was awhile ago” Well I just learned I’m ancient. 😂😂😂

[@jimmybilly5330]

would you want to use your uvb lights or grow lights at night or do you need to turn them off

[@CosmicCowboy.]

Turn them of at night. Keeping them on will disturb the day & night cycle.

[@kai_gacha4413]

What morph is the cresting at 0:21?

[@brooklyn2176]

Should the UVB get turned off at night?

[@kyleegorecki541]

I have a 55 gallon tank, Would that be too big??

[@kenjiro2676]

Do they appreciate a cooler night time temperature for rest? From what I’m getting at here, they seem to not mind the cooler night time temperatures as long as the day time temperatures warm back up.

[@MaddieSmith]

Yes! Nighttime drop in temperature is normal and healthy. Don’t let it go below 65°, ideally

[@sharonlull7412]

Can I use a open air cage ? Like a chameleon habitat for a adult gecko

[@MaddieSmith]

That wouldn’t be great for humidity fluctuation since the circulation would likely dry the air out too quickly

[@zeekbuttle4848]

My cresty is 5 months old, will he be okay in an 18x18x24?

[@rrome.]

I personally think (not exactly researched) it depends on how much it weighs/how big it is. If your gecko is eating well, going to the bathroom properly, and if it’s not having any problems with anything, you can try possibly put it in a 18x18x24 If it stops eating or has problems navigating through the vivarium, put it in a smaller one again, and let it grow a bit more (or just Get a smaller vivarium instead of a 18x18x24)

[@stellaluvscats]

I use eco earth and I want to change it but I can’t return it can I maybe put moss on it to make it more humid

[@tylerrugge]

You could mix some regular soil in with the eco earth!

[@freaky.skullz8]

What do you recommend to keep the enclosure cool? I’m from Mexico and where I live usually it’s on 80°F and 91°F more usually it’s around 90°

[@tylerrugge]

If the room the gecko is in is getting up to 90 you might have to use an air conditioning unit to cool the room, aside from that I’m not sure what else you could do

[@freaky.skullz8]

@@tylerrugge thanks

[@Jacksolotl]

Can I give them a water bowl? Or do they get water from the mist

[@MaddieSmith]

Access to a water bowl is a great idea. They will use it when they need water. We do both with our geckos

[@rrome.]

do both! They can get water from the bowl and if they need more they can easily drink the mist water

[@mikeyiacovone89]

Is a 24inch new age eco flex cage good?

[@tylerrugge]

If you’re talking about the one that’s 24” long and 12” tall, it would be best to get an enclosure that’s 24” tall because height is more important for them

[@mysteriousriptides3596]

Do you guys have any available female geckos? I’ve been trying to get a good breeder female

[@saltyoldbasturd]

Hi tyler from Las Vegas NV

[@tylerrugge]

Hello

[@hudsonfriesen5693]

Would a Gatorade cap be enough food?

[@MaddieSmith]

For an adult yes, that is more than enough. For a baby, just a little Lima bean sized dab is plenty

[@goblinleaf]

Do you give them food everyday? Multiple times a day or one?

[@MaddieSmith]

Every other day for babies, every three for adults typically. Bugs once or twice a week.

[@melaniemaitre8983]

I am considering keeping a crested gecko, and I am very thankful for videos like these! I have never owned a reptile before and have never fed any of my pets live insects before. I find myself uncomfortable with housing colonies of bugs in my house, so what about canned or dried insects? is there any difference in nutrition?

[@tylerrugge]

I feed canned insects from time to time to add variety, but nutritionally live is best, and having them hunt for their food is also good enrichment for them. You could probably get away with doing canned insects if your gecko will take them, but I’d recommend still using live sometimes too

[@melaniemaitre8983]

@@tylerrugge okay. do you recommend having a colony of the insects or buying a few at a time?

[@sgt-benton]

I was very reluctant about feeding (keeping) insects. I started with Dubia roaches. I know, roaches. But they’re nothing like the gross ones everyone hates. Dubias remind me of isopods. They’re almost cute. Plus, they don’t smell, they’re quiet, and they’re easy to catch. I’d highly recommend them for bug-averse people. I order 25 at a time for my crested gecko (feeding about 3-4 a week) and he loves them.

[@melaniemaitre8983]

@@sgt-benton Okay, thank you so much! Unfortunately I live in Canada where Dubia Roaches are banned :( but since getting my crestie, I have become more comfortable with feeding live prey. I just can't deal with crickets after they escaped in my bedroom one time, but she gets soldier fly larvae, silkworms, and the occasional waxworm.

[@Blood_Dragon]

tikis geckos use just mulch for there setups, why would you not recommend that? also if Im breeding geckos how would I encourage them use a lay box instead of just laying there eggs in the bio dudes substrate ?

[@MaddieSmith]

You can’t grow plants in just mulch and any pieces ingested cannot be passed and will cause impaction. You can’t keep them from laying anywhere. We have to dig through bioactives with females. Females on paper towel with lay boxes will usually use the lay box.

[@ryanramirez4501]

Bros Glazing the bio dude 💀💀💀

[@MaraJadeSkky]

Sneaky Tyler and your instagram poll with the thumbnails you didn't even use!🤣

[@melaniemaitre8983]

I've had my adult female crestie, Glenda, for a month and she is healthy and active, but she keeps chirping and I'm not sure why. Usually, chirping indicates some sort of stress or sign of feeling threatened, but I can hand feed her, move things in her enclosure, and nearly touch her without her making a sound or fleeing at all. Sometimes when she is not in the mood, she goes to hide in her log, and then I leave her alone, so if she feels threatened then why doesn't she flee? Though she was handled lots by her previous owner, I have not handled her yet as I want to establish trust with her. Sometimes they chirp when they are hungry, but she is well fed. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. She only chirps when I have my hand still in front of her. Again, I can move the plants around an inch from her face and she doesn't care. Sometimes, she moves towards me, licks my hand, and then chirps. I don't get it. Do you have any advice or answers for me? I would appreciate any input.

[@MaddieSmith]

That is very male behavior. Are you sure Glenda is a female?

[@melaniemaitre8983]

@@MaddieSmith I am not sure actually, it's just what I was told. I will check, thank you Maddie!

[@frmthejungle]

What do I do if my crested gecko escapes and it's not comfortable with me yet so I can't pick it up otherwise it will be scared and might bite me?

[@CosmicCowboy.]

Pick it up gently. Their bites don’t hurt, and it is more important that the gecko stays in its enclosure than to risk a small bite.

[@mcalistercara]

So they don't need a night light for heat ?

[@tylerrugge]

No as long as the temp in the room doesn’t drop below like 60° they’re fine without heat!

[@danp5073]

Stupid question- Do Geckos pop out eggs even if they are in the tank by themselves, like chickens, or do they need to be fertilized.

[@tylerrugge]

They can lay dud eggs too!

[@punkrockshitface8734]

Oh my god there so stupid I love them

[@DragonTropical]

What about waxworm?

[@MaddieSmith]

As a treat, yes. Our geckos tend to not like them since they don’t move very much.

[@kartoffelklaus3083]

7:40 Would a 24 x 12 x 27 be sufficient for an adult?

[@MaddieSmith]

Yes!😊

[@kasondradorrity1654]

What advice would you give to someone who has never kept any type of reptile but really wants to get a crested gecko?

[@emmanuelstrong-dx9nv]

Do lots of research

[@kasondradorrity1654]

@@emmanuelstrong-dx9nv I’ve been doing research for months. I’m not at a place yet where I can get one and be confident about it. I am basically doing research until the time comes that I’m able to get one! I find them very fascinating and adorable!

[@emmanuelstrong-dx9nv]

@@kasondradorrity1654 thanks for being mature and not just going out and buying a crested gecko but when you feel confident enough here are some good places to look lll reptiles underground reptiles or go with a private breeder

[@kasondradorrity1654]

@@emmanuelstrong-dx9nv Of course! All animals deserve the best life! Thank you for the recommendations!

[@rrome.]

did you get one?

[@mac2939]

Do u think a 40 gallon up right would be good for 3 crested geckos

[@mac2939]

Cross out the 3 together lol

[@somedudefrom8089]

is it true that it is illegal to own a crested Geckos in Hawaii.

[@xavier_-_rackliff-_-3409]

my gecko only eats mealworms he won’t eat the powdered fruit food

[@somedudefrom8089]

Why is it illegal to breed gecko s in hawaii

[@williammiller3416]

i really want a crested gecko but im 9 and we have 7 pets already

[@ornithowlogist]

hi! i’m 15 at the moment and got my first crested gecko when i was 9. i think that’s totally alright as long as you conduct proper and adequate research to give your baby the best care possible. to start, i recommend your parents should have intervention to ensure that you are caring for your gecko correctly. good luck!

[@lsenchuk]

I get frustrated seeing all these young people talking about the danger's of co-habbing. You do realize that some of the best known and original breeders have kept trios (two females to one male) together for YEARS with no issues. Most don't even separate them after breeding season since the females will stop producing the pheromones that attract the males to breed during the off season. Should you house babies together, no imo since they are more prone to accidentally grab another's tail causing them to drop it. And it is harder to see if they are each eating and not being harassed. Please go look at AC reptiles page for common myths about cresteds, this topic is one of them.

[@tylerrugge]

We have tried cohabbing in the past and put cameras on the enclosures to monitor them, and a lot of our females showed aggression towards each other. I am aware that it’s common practice for breeders to cohab, but that does not mean their geckos aren’t fighting or stressing each other out at all. There’s really no point in cohabbing and risking injury/unnecessary stress unless you’re a breeder who is cutting corners for space and time.

[@somedudefrom8089]

can it be reversed?

[@eagle7757]

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 KJV, Jesus Christ is the only way...