In short: A crested gecko needs a vertical terrarium, at least 45 × 45 × 60 cm for one adult and ideally 60 × 45 × 90 cm. Keep daytime temperatures at 22–26 °C, never above 28 °C, and let humidity rise to 70–90 % after evening misting before it dries back to 50–60 %. Fill the height with branches, dense foliage and a climbable 3D background.
What size terrarium does a crested gecko need?
Crested geckos (Correlophus ciliatus) come from the forests of southern New Caledonia. Adults reach about 20–23 cm including the tail, and with good care they live 15–20 years. They spend most of their life off the ground, jumping between branches and leaves at night.
That is why height matters more than floor space. The common minimum for one adult is 45 × 45 × 60 cm (L × W × H). If you have the space, 60 × 45 × 90 cm or 45 × 45 × 90 cm gives the gecko real jumping distances and a stronger temperature and humidity gradient from bottom to top.
Juveniles
Young crested geckos do well in smaller enclosures of around 30 × 30 × 45 cm, where they find food easily and you can keep an eye on them. Move them into the adult enclosure at about 15–20 g.
What temperature and humidity do crested geckos need?
Crested geckos are one of the few popular reptiles that suffer more from heat than from cold. Room temperature is often enough; in a hot summer flat, overheating is the bigger risk.
| Parameter | Target value | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Day temperature | 22–26 °C | Slightly warmer at the top than at the bottom |
| Maximum | 28 °C | Above this, heat stress becomes a real danger |
| Night temperature | 18–22 °C | A natural drop is fine |
| Humidity | 50–60 % by day, 70–90 % after misting | Mist in the evening, let it dry out during the day |
| Light | 12 h day | Low-level UVB with plenty of shade is beneficial |
The daily cycle of wet and dry is important. A terrarium that never dries out promotes mould and respiratory problems, while one that stays dry leads to shedding issues. Good cross ventilation, with vents low at the front and in the lid, keeps the air moving.
How should a crested gecko terrarium be laid out?
Think in three levels. This plan fits a 45 × 45 × 60 cm front-opening enclosure with a mesh lid and scales up easily to 90 cm height.
- Top third: a light bar on the lid and, if needed, a low-wattage heat source on a thermostat. Here the temperature is highest, around 25–26 °C. Place a horizontal branch just below it as a resting spot.
- Middle: the main living zone. Diagonal branches crossing the enclosure, dense artificial plants and a hide high up, for example a cork tube or a hollow root. A feeding ledge for the powdered diet sits here too.
- Bottom: 5–8 cm of a soil and coco mix that holds moisture, covered with leaf litter, plus a shallow water bowl.
- Back wall: a vertical 3D background with roots or rock structure. Crested geckos happily cling to textured surfaces, so the background turns the back glass into extra climbing space.
Crested geckos sleep during the day pressed against leaves or wedged into crevices. The more foliage and structure you offer between 30 and 60 cm height, the more secure your gecko will feel.
Which VivaDecor background fits a crested gecko terrarium?
Vertical enclosures need a tall background. Our vertical terrarium backgrounds are designed for exactly these formats, with thin roots in soil layers or rock paths running upwards. Measure the inside of your back glass and compare with the background size guide.
| Enclosure (L × W × H) | Stage | Background needed (W × H) | Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 × 30 × 45 cm | Juvenile | approx. 27.5 × 42.5 cm | Custom size |
| 45 × 45 × 60 cm | One adult (minimum) | approx. 42.5 × 57.5 cm | Vertical design, see size guide |
| 45 × 45 × 90 cm | Adult, more height | approx. 42.5 × 87.5 cm | Custom size |
| 60 × 45 × 90 cm | Adult or trio | approx. 57.5 × 87.5 cm | Custom size |
If your enclosure does not match a standard format, we make backgrounds to measure: just send us the inner dimensions through the custom order form. The thin roots in brown soil background is a popular choice for crested geckos because its fine roots look like the forest floor of New Caledonia.
Which substrate works for crested geckos?
A soil and coco fibre mix, optionally with some sphagnum moss on top, holds moisture and copes with daily misting. It also allows a bioactive setup with springtails and isopods that break down waste. Paper towel is fine for quarantine, but it dries out quickly and looks clinical in a display terrarium.
What do crested geckos eat?
The staple is a complete powdered crested gecko diet mixed with water, offered two to three times a week and removed after a day. Many keepers add dusted insects such as crickets or small roaches once or twice a week. Place food on a ledge or in a cup mounted at mid-height, because crested geckos rarely come to the floor to eat.
Why do artificial plants and backgrounds suit crested geckos?
A crested gecko terrarium is misted every evening, so everything inside gets wet regularly. Our backgrounds, roots and plants are made from water- and humidity-resistant, non-toxic materials that never rot or grow mould. They are hand-cast from real roots and rock, then painted by hand.
Live plants can be combined with them, but artificial foliage keeps its shape even when a 40 g gecko lands on it every night. When cleaning, simply take the plants out and rinse them under warm water.
What mistakes should you avoid?
- Overheating. A terrarium near a sunny window can exceed 30 °C within an hour.
- A horizontal enclosure. It wastes the space crested geckos actually use.
- Constant wetness. Without a dry phase, mould and infections follow.
- Too little cover. Bare branches without foliage leave the gecko exposed.
- Two males together. They fight; keep crested geckos singly or one male with females.
- Grabbing the tail. Crested geckos can drop their tail and it never grows back.
What does a crested gecko cost?
Typical price in 2026 for a captive-bred crested gecko: about 60–150 €, while rare colour morphs cost more. A complete vertical setup with lighting, thermo-hygrometer, plants, branches and background usually adds 300–650 € (approximate 2026 prices in EUR). If you are still deciding between species, read our comparison crested gecko vs leopard gecko. The closely related gargoyle gecko has similar needs; see our gargoyle gecko enclosure guide.
FAQ
Do crested geckos need a heat lamp?
Usually not. At room temperatures of 21–25 °C, a light source alone is often enough. Only add heat in cold rooms, always on a thermostat.
Do crested geckos need UVB?
They survive without it, but low-level UVB with plenty of shade is now widely recommended because it supports natural behaviour and vitamin D3 production.
Can I keep crested geckos in a group?
One male with one or two females can work in a large enclosure. Never keep two males together, and watch for tail nipping.
How often should I mist?
Usually once in the evening, a little more in dry winter air. The goal is visible droplets at night and a dry terrarium by midday.
Ready to build your gecko's vertical forest? Discover backgrounds, plants and roots in our crested gecko enclosure decor collection.