Hey everyone, I just got my crested gecko on Monday he or she is awesome although the shop didnt know how old it is, its about 3-4 inches....so im guessing its about 2-3 months old. any ideas?


I've got it in the x-terra small habitat kit 30x30x45< im a bit worried that it wont be able to find the crickets, I put 3 in yesterday and spotted at least two of them running/hopping about today (though I appreciate the sometimes dont eat for the first few days in a new enclosure)....as the enclosure has lots of plants/vines im concerned the crickets will just hide in them.


I have purchased an x-terra 15w blue moonlight lamp for nightime viewing, but I cant really see anything, do you think a 40w bulb would be ok?

I would appreciate any advice, and cresties rock !!!

Ps: I'll post some pics of my terrarium and crestie tomorrow

can anybody help?

Only got my first just over a week ago and like you had first feed angst my gargoyles cruckets didnt start to disappear untill about day 3. However on day two I mushed up some apricot put it in a milk bottle top and sat garg on my hand once he tongued the air and figured it was food he had a wail of a time. He is now getting through 6 crickets a day (which I feed the leftover tortoise pellets dont know if this is the right thing to do or not) and has a good go at whatever fruitpaste i put down for him. I have read that sometimes they prefer bigger crickets so that could be worth a try however at 3 inches it might be worth considering if they are too big.

Hope that helps

Thanks, I spotted it earlier chomping one in its mouth so size is fine, I've got size two crickets though im sure they will soon be size 3 because the eat loads!!!!

I've posted lots of pics in the gallery if antbody wants to check out my gecko :-)

I will have a nosey at yours and post comments i you return the favour there is nothing worse than being a new 'mum' and no one acknowledges how beutiful they are

[Olivine]

Sorry, I've only just noticed your post. With regard to your outstanding questions;

Originally Posted by gizmo

Hey everyone, I just got my crested gecko on Monday he or she is awesome although the shop didnt know how old it is, its about 3-4 inches....so im guessing its about 2-3 months old. any ideas?

To be honest, it's very difficult to tell the age of a crestie from its size, as their growth rates vary so dramatically. From personal experience, I'd say that a 3 - 4 inch crestie is likely to be anything from three to six months old (though I've seen both older and younger animals of about that size too).

I have purchased an x-terra 15w blue moonlight lamp for nightime viewing, but I cant really see anything, do you think a 40w bulb would be ok?

The problem with a 40w bulb is that it's going to produce a lot of heat (I use them to heat my S. williamsi enclosures and the ambient temperature at the top of those vivs is around 32C - 33C). As cresties are extremely susceptible to heat stress (they can die at temperatures exceeding about 29C), I'd only using a 40w bulb if it's controlled by a dimmer stat, just to be on the safe side.

PS Gorgeous crestie and a very nice enclosure too!

thanks everyone :-)

Congrats on getting your Crested Gecko. They are fantastic lttle creatures! The 30x30x45 exo terra is fine for a young one as they will be able to find their food easier. You will need to supply a larger terarrium when he/she becomes bigger. I have mine in the 45x45x60 each and they are doing very well in these.

As for age it is hard to tell by size as already said. I agree with what Olivine has said, 3 to 6 months.

Using a 40w bulb will make the terarrium too hot. Anything over 80 is the hottest the enclosure should be. Anything above this and you are risking your Crestie overheating. You can get red bulbs for night time viewing, maybe these would work better?