Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ive heard conflicting advice about whether or not a screen enclosure is best for my crested.
Screen vs. glass? anyone have ideas?
He is very small, a baby, so sizes?? is it bad to put a baby in a cage that he can grow into? should i start small then move up? im interested in getting a screen cage if thats ideal, and id like to know what size. Right now hes in a 20 gallon high glass tank.

My first piece of advice would be to put him in something smaller. Young cresteds tend to not be the greatest hunter/gathers. I have seen over and over where plenty of food is available, but because the cage is too large, they dont find it and dont eat enough. I start all of my younger ones in the little clear plastic Kritter Keepers that you buy at the pet store for a few bucks. they are about a gallon sized I think.

Next thing as far as the screen vs glass. My answer is where do you live. If you are in a high humidity area like I am, then screen is ok. If you are in a low humidity area, then you may need glass to help keep humidity levels up. I think that is the biggest issue most people have with screen is not being able to keep humidity in. Humidity here is always so high, that it is not an issue for me.

I have also seen concern about toenails and screen enclosures before...but I have never seen anything or had a problem personally with that.

Hope this helps...
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~Michael S Compton
CrestedRanch

www.crestedranch.com

As stated below, you don't want to put a baby in too large of a cage. Although I don't think that humidity is much of an issue if you spray them every day (afterall, everyone keeps chameleons in screen cages), I personally don't like screen because it's hard to clean unless you take it outside and hose it down.

I too raise my babies in Critter Keepers. They are cheap and they have perfect ventilation. As the geckos get older, I move them into large tubs (58 quart Sterilite) for breeding.

If you want something more pleasing to the eye, Barrs cages (link below) are great for keeping Crested Geckos. They make a 16x16x20 cage, which would be a good size for a single animal or even a pair. They also make a 20x20x20 cage, which would be good for a trio or even 1.3 adults. I have about 25 Barrs cages and they're made very well and are easy to maintain.
Barrs Cages Website

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Anthony Caponetto
www.ACreptiles.com

Well, I dont know if anyone is familiar with Sticky lizards, (stickylizards.com -- but the site doesnt seem to be up yet) but we bought him from them at the white plains show. He came to us in a good sized jar with a large hole cut in the lid and a screen inserted. For now i am sure that he will do quite well in there, at least for a bit if the larger cage is too big. We live in upstate new york. I think that the humidity is fairly moderate there, increasing a little in the summer. I think we will just have to guage it and see.
Thanks for the advice.

We have used 20g Talls for our individual breeding groups and 5g for hatchlings. Humidity is easy to control. We have recently switched over 1/2 of our collection to the same screen cages used by Sandfire. They are stackable and work well. The production from both the glass and screen cages seems to be consistent. So it basically boils down to preference.
One thing about screen as noted by Anthony, it is harder to clean than glass so it requires a little more maintenance.

Good luck with your crested
Reptile Depot

I dont have near the experence of the other two breeders that have answered your question.But Heres my thoughts on the matter anyhow lol.

Ive read the various care sheeets on cresteds .They all mention a humidity of between 65% and 80% . My thoughts are a rainforest isnt constant it rains (100%) then the sun comes out and the humidity drops as everything drys out with Probally 60% at the low end . Glass tanks and plastic for me tends to stay wet a very long time. Mold can be a issue and the occasional musty smell always alarms me.
I built a number of screen cages 18x18x36 using pine hobby wood and nylon window screen .I added silk plants and driftwood that I poloycoated first.They look great are easy to veiw the animals, and dropping and or breaking glass is no concern.They are very light which allows me to take them outside or into the tub and literally hose them off. I think the ventilation for the geckos more than offsets the occasional drop in humidity below 65% .Mold and musty smells just dont occur. Im very happy with my screen cages .

As for babies in a oversize cage... The general belief is there is a too big for babies , I think thats a call you have to make based on observation .Ive got three Darkfire flame babies I call the velociraptor pack because when I drop crickets in,they come out and hunt each and every cricket down with ease. I would be very comfortable placing them in a large cage (currently they reside in a 8x8x12 cage ) .I have a adult pair of high yellows that I place their crickets in a small tub ,otherwise I dont think they would ever get them. I have no idea why the great difference .But from observation Ive learned their preferences The adults are a much bigger fan of babyfood and crestd gecko mix . If your not sure follow the experts advice.