How to set up a crested gecko enclosure
Enclosure
- Adult enclosure
- 18×18×24 inches vertical for one adult. Bigger preferred.
- Hatchling
- Use smaller (12×12×18) for juveniles — too much space is stressful.
- Orientation
- Vertical. Crested geckos are arboreal.
Temperature
- Target
- 72-78°F ambient — most rooms naturally hit this.
- Critical limit
- Never above 82°F sustained. Overheating kills crested geckos.
- Heating
- Usually no supplemental heat needed. If your home dips below 65°F, use a low-wattage ceramic heat emitter on a thermostat — not in summer.
Humidity
- Target
- 60-80% with daily misting.
- How to maintain
- Mist heavily once daily (evening), let dry between mistings — dry/wet cycle is healthier than constant humidity.
- Live plants
- Pothos, ficus, or bromeliads buffer humidity naturally.
Lighting
- UVB
- Recommended modern care. Arcadia ShadeDweller or T5 HO 6%.
- Day-night cycle
- 12 hours on, 12 off.
Substrate
- Best
- Coconut fiber, bioactive substrate, or paper towel for quarantine.
- Avoid
- Loose particulate that could be ingested with prey.
Decor and enrichment
- Vines and branches
- Multiple horizontal and angled climbing structures.
- Plants
- Live or artificial — provide visual barriers.
- Magnetic ledges
- Popular accessory for vertical enclosures.
- Water dish
- Shallow — they primarily drink water droplets from misting.
Feeding
- Staple
- Pangea or Repashy commercial gecko diet (CGD). Mix powder with water to yogurt consistency.
- Schedule
- 3 times per week.
- Insect variety
- Optional — dubia roaches or crickets weekly add enrichment.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a crested gecko setup cost?
$200-350 itemized: enclosure $100-180, low-output UVB $50-80, decor and plants $30-60, supplies $20-30.
Do crested geckos need a heat lamp?
Usually no. Most homes are within their temperature range naturally.
Do crested geckos need UVB?
Modern care strongly recommends low-output UVB. Older guides said it wasn't necessary; consensus has moved.
How often do I mist a crested gecko?
Once daily, heavily. Let the enclosure dry between mistings.
Can crested geckos live together?
Single males only. Multiple females sometimes coexist but adds stress. Most keepers house individually.