Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am relatively new to crested geckos, and I'm hoping somebody here may be able to answer a couple of husbandry questions for me. I've had a pair of juveniles for a few weeks now, set up in 10 gallon aquariums and following the husbandry suggestions I've read on here in terms of feeding, hides, etc. I'd like to upgrade their accommodations to a larger naturalistic vivarium, though, and I can't find much guidance in certain respects. Anyway, the new cage is 48" long 30" deep and 30" tall with corkbark flats on the back and side walls (sliding glass front). I'd like to plant the perimeter of the cage pretty heavily but keep the center of the cage more open except from some climbing branches so that I can run a small water feature from one corner to a pool in the center. I plan to be using live moss as a substrate over some planting material for the moss to grow on. Given this gameplan:

1) How big do my cresties need to get before I can move them to a cage this size? I was told by the breeder to keep them in the 10 gallons for a while so they could find their food, but I'm not certain how necessary that is.

2) I know most sources say that males need to be isolated from each other, but would a cage this size with sufficient foliage be large enough to allow males to establish territories and minimize fighting?

3) Egg deposition -- I'm worried that the level of humidity would encourage the females to lay eggs in various places other than the laying site I put in there. Would that be a problem, or is it theoretically possible with proper temps in the cage that I could just let eggs hatch naturally if they were laid in the cage.

4) Is it possible to introduce another species into this picture? It seems like it could be pretty cool to put a small frog species into the cage, and they wouldn't really compete with the lizards for food or space. Any thoughts on whether that's a good idea, or what species would be compatible with these temperature requirements?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Kris

. . . but I think you would really find the new rhac book invaluable - because they address every one of your questions in detail. Go to "giantgeckos.com" - and order it from Philippe DeVojoli himself - it's a little steep, but a great, great book.

That being said, I'll try to answer your questions as best I can. . . .

1) The breeder you bought your cresties is right - let your rhacs grow up a little - like sub-adult size, before putting them in that big cage. They will fair much better. Personally, I think juvi rhacs are dumber than a box of rocks - they need the food by them. LOL

2) I would hesitate to put males together - but I think it would be possible, if the cage is big enough and they have enough hiding spaces. You definitely take a risk with this, though - so just beware.

3) I have a friend who raises cresteds in those big tupperware containers - huge ones - and he lets them lay their eggs right in the substrate and let's them incubate right there. The humidity and temps are perfect, and it works for him. I think it would be possible and likely that you could do that. I think it would be really neat.

4) In the new Rhac book, they talk a lot about introducing other species with cresteds - specifically pink tongued skinks. You might want to read that book - it's worth it. I always hesitate when talking about introducing frogs - since a lot of them are wild caught and might have a ton of parasite/disease problems. I may be way off on this - but I would avoid frogs, I guess. . . .

I hope this helps.
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Monte Meyer
Powergeckos
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No Fru-Fru morphs in the herp room