[brucey]

Hello.. New to the forum and relatively new Crested Gecko owner ( 6 months)...

Nev is a beautiful (I can post pictures if you would like?) Chevron Morph female (quite obviously sex unbeknown when naming!) Crestie, who is now we think, just over a year old. There is nothing I would like more than to get Nev a friend, a partner in crime...

...however, upon requesting some advice at my local reptile specialists, I was told that she is now too old to mix. That neither a male or female would mix with her because she has been alone for too long and would now be too territorial - thus fighting would ensue.

Now obviously Nev's far too precious for me to risk this, but I have never read anything on this, so the advice of experienced breeders (like the dude at the Speecialists) would be well received. What's everybody's thoughts pleasE?

Thanks...

[Olivine]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

To be honest, geckos tend to be quite solitary animals by nature and don't really need a companion. The problem with introducing geckos, irrespective of age, is that the outcome is so unpredictable. While the introduction may go well and they might live peacefully with each other, there's no guarantee that fighting won't break out; some geckos simply won't tolerate the presence of another.

Personally, I wouldn't house a male: female pair together on a permanent basis as constant breeding will place a strain on the health of both geckos, but especially the female.

If you do decide to get another crestie, there are several ways to reduce the risk of fighting: make sure that both geckos are approximately the same size / weight; make sure that there are plenty of hiding places so that they can avoid each other if necessary; and introducing them on completely neutral territory (thoroughly cleaning / rearranging a viv so that no scent of the occupant is present). However, these measure will only reduce the risk of bullying / fighting, not eliminate it entirely.

Also, before introducing another gecko, it really needs to be placed in quarantine for a minimum of three months before being introduced to your existing crestie, just to give you a chance to make sure that the new arrival isn't carrying parasites or other nasties that can be transmitted to Nev.