Crestie Q's

[greenmonkey51]

Im now thinking of getting a crested gecko as my 2nd herp. They seem like a simplier gecko than other. I''ve been doing some research but still have some questions. At night right now the temp is 71, is this too low. Is a 20g long turned vertically good for a cage. Would running flexwatt along the back of the cage or on top be better for raising the temp a couple degrees (connected to a thermastat running at 83).

[mlededee]

if 71 is the coldest it gets there is no need to heat the cage. cresteds can handle a night time drop into the mid 60s or so. more important is that it doesn't get hotter than 80-82 during the day. a 20 gallon turned vertically would work perfectly for an adult. i have used a 10 gallon turned vertically for juvies. smaller is actually better when they are little so that they can find their food more easily. a medium sized kritter keeper will work for at least the first 6 months or so if you get your crested when it is a baby.

[greenmonkey51]

I dont think the daytime gets above 75 if that. Is that ok. Also would a 20g long be too big for a baby. I have a 10g but I dont have a lid that would work but I may be able to build one.

[mlededee]

yup that temperature is fine. a 20 gallon is a bit big but you can make it work. use paper towels as substrate and watch to make sure that the crested is finding its food. you can "show" it where its dish of crested gecko diet is and hand feed it to get it used to being handled. if you feed crickets just watch to make sure that the gecko is actually getting them.

also take a look at the crested caresheet if you haven't already: http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....ewarticle&id=6.

[greenmonkey51]

Whats the minimum times you should feed crickets. One of the reasons im going with a crested is the ability to feed other kinds of foods.

[mlededee]

you don't have to feed crickets at all if your gecko will readily eat crested gecko diet. i still like to feed crickets at least once a week for the protein and because the geckos really seem to love them.

[greenmonkey51]

Can you feed them mealworms instead.

[mlededee]

mealworms aren't really good for crested geckos. their exoskeletons are extremely chitinous and hard to break down, which means that the mealworm will pretty much pass through the crested's system undigested, so they aren't getting a whole lot of nutritional value out of it. crickets or roaches are much better food items.