Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok I am going to start a post on a topic people and breeders in particular dont seem to like to mention.

Ive kept Cresteds 3 years now ,hatched several hundred and have had overall a great sucess .

My hatch rates about 98%

Never lost a adult Crested yet (except a new purchase in quaranteen)

I have had several hatchlings die .In every case it has been when I have housed them in more than pairs .The only time I lose tails is in group housing as well.

In adults ..I have noticed on occasion a animal might take a sharp dip in weight..removing it from the cage it is in and placing it with others that are carefully weighed to be about the same size results in the animal imediatly regaining the weight it lost.

Therefore It is my belief that stress caused by bullys and or larger animals in the same enclosure is probally the biggest health threat to crested geckos. Particuarlly youngsters which are hard to see the weight loss until its too late.

My question is ..have other owners and breeders found this to be true? And what is adequate space per animal in hatchlings and juvies?

For adults ive found 18x18x36 with 1 male 3 females to be fine.Particuarly if I give a lot of hiding spots.Breeding and egg laying are optimal and they continue to gain weight with a diet primarilly of CGD .

I have the best success with my youngsters if I keep them by themselves once they've reached a month in age; before that I might keep clutchmates together. I use Lee's kritter keepers and just move them into larger ones as they grow. That way I don't lose tails and they gain well on CGD. Right now I have 6 juvies of 20 grams more or less in 10 gallons by themselves. I also bought a 15 gal tall and glued a sheet of plexiglass in to divide it into 2 7.5 gal equivalent for youngsters. It's more work to have everyone separate but less stressful to me than injured or dead ones. My breeding groups (1 male & 2 females) are in 39E lizard lounges by Oceanic or a 45 gal glass and screen deal. I pack them full of cork tubes, plastic vines, branches and other "furniture" purchased at PetSmart. Having lots of hides helps relieve stress for them, too.
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Terri
11:18:3 R. ciliatus: Bear, Goldfish, Kermit, Brimstone, WildSpatter-Spots-to-Spare, Pouncer, Studley, Randy, Speckles, Harrys, Bling, Brick, Big Red, Smudge, Belle, Brilliant, Tina, Toni, Beauty, Shine, Harley, Lady, LemonDrop, AllVees, Stunner, Squeaker, Stripe, Penny, BonusBebe, Sapphire, Mango & Shells.
1.1.0 R. leachianus henkeli, Nuu Ami : Sam and Ellie
3 neutered barn kitties: Zeb, Patches and Tigger
3 rabbits, Buster Brown, Blackie & Penelope
25 hens