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Crested Geckos |
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Crested Geckos
About crested geckos...where to start? There are so many interesting things to say about them. Let’s start at the beginning…
History
For over one hundred years, crested geckos or rhacodactylus ciliatus were thought to be extinct. But back in 1994, the species was rediscovered. A healthy population was found in the Pacific island country of New Caledonia. Also known as eyelash geckos (as seen in the above photo), a few of the species were brought to America and Europe. Most crested geckos in the US today come from these lines, started less than fifteen years ago. In fact, it’s probable that there are now more cresties hatched in captivity than in the wild, insuring the health of the species for generations to come.
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The Species
Crested geckos weigh a mere 1 1/2 to 2 grams at birth—that’s less than the weight of a US dime! They mature for the next year to 18 months, reaching anywhere from 30-50 grams at maturity. They can reach a length of 8-10 inches including their tails when they are full grown. They are generally agreeable pets, though they do tend to scurry about and jump whenever given a chance. Most seem to enjoy gentle stroking on their backs. Their skin is surprisingly soft, comparative to baby smooth skin in my opinion. They have been known to bite on occasion—especially when well meaning keepers try to look in their mouths. Ha! But they leave nothing more than a dent as their teeth are quite small.
Rhacodactylus ciliatus is one of the only gecko species that does not grow back a dropped tail. They may drop their tails for a number of reasons as a defense mechanism. Because of this, it is wise never to handle a crested gecko by the tail. They might just leave it in your hand and run away! They make excellent reptile pets because they are easy to care for, they are handleable, they stay small, and they come in a wide array of colors and morphs (see more on our “Colors and Morphs” page) |
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Home |
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Crested Geckos |
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About Colors |
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Care Sheet |
|
Our Breeders |
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Available |
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About Us |
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Moonrise Alumni |
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Moonrise Geckos |
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Quality Rhacodactylus Ciliatus |
