Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering id it would be possible to keep crested geckos in a green house and then let them live a very natural life and have them breed in it and then just let the babies grow up in the greenhouse and then remove them every now and than. then i could just put in crickets and baby food and other food

There is no way to give you a definate answer with the information provided.
1. Is your greenhouse temp controled year round? Cresteds have a temp range over 85 under 70 not good.
2. Is your greenhouse that secure? Cresteds make it a habit to squeeze into any crack or crevice ..if the crack goes all the way to the world... well obviously not good
3. What sort of plants are you growing in your greenhouse? full grown Cresteds will squash many a plant ,not good
Some plants are not healthy for reptiles ,Not good
4. Do you sell or give away plants from your greenhouse?People may or may not apreciate a baby lizard jumping from thier new plant . Not good
5. How will you ensure no one steps on the little fellows cresteds do come to the ground often ,and in fact feeding crickets..more often . squashed cresteds...Not good
6.Can you be sure mice,rats, ants to name a few cant get in? cresteds attacked by other animals.. Not good

7. I would also be concerned for the hatchlings .. While I have never seen it nor given any of mine a chance to do so..It is my understanding a adult finds a baby --- tasty ,Not good

8. I would also be concerned that providing enough food a crested could locate it in such a big area a concern .Im not entirely sure that the cresteds wouldnt learn thier food source therefore its a concern is all.

The idea of a crested island where they roam free sounds attractve , but the incresed factors you couldnt controll well might be a downfall.Predators, temp being two big issures .

Just my thoughts Pat

heres some answers for you pat>

>There is no way to give you a definate answer with the information provided.
>> 1. Is your greenhouse temp controled year round? Cresteds have a temp range over 85 under 70 not good.

the green house is completly climate controlled

>> 2. Is your greenhouse that secure? Cresteds make it a habit to squeeze into any crack or crevice ..if the crack goes all the way to the world... well obviously not good

the green house has been caulked to prevent this

>> 3. What sort of plants are you growing in your greenhouse? full grown Cresteds will squash many a plant ,not good
>>Some plants are not healthy for reptiles ,Not good

plants that dart frog keepers use

>> 4. Do you sell or give away plants from your greenhouse?People may or may not apreciate a baby lizard jumping from thier new plant . Not good

this green house is being built spefically for them

>> 5. How will you ensure no one steps on the little fellows cresteds do come to the ground often ,and in fact feeding crickets..more often . squashed cresteds...Not good

i will be the only one entering and exiting, aslo its not that large of a green house

>>6.Can you be sure mice,rats, ants to name a few cant get in? cresteds attacked by other animals.. Not good
>>
the bottom will be cemented and caulked and have ant killer sprayed aroound of outside

>> 7. I would also be concerned for the hatchlings .. While I have never seen it nor given any of mine a chance to do so..It is my understanding a adult finds a baby --- tasty ,Not good
>>
could this be curbed by provideing a large cage with tons of plants and space

>> 8. I would also be concerned that providing enough food a crested could locate it in such a big area a concern .Im not entirely sure that the cresteds wouldnt learn thier food source therefore its a concern is all.
>>
the cage is only 4 feet deep 5 feet high and 4 heet lengthwise

>> The idea of a crested island where they roam free sounds attractve , but the incresed factors you couldnt controll well might be a downfall.Predators, temp being two big issures .
>>
those answer some of your questions pat

mincus

It sounds as if youve considered nearly everything ... If your able to provide the proper temps, climate , food water then how can it not work .Its a cage just on a grand scale.

The only question left being the fate of the babies should a adult find them...Honestly I dont even know for sure if the adults do eat them..Im not dangling one of mine to find out ! lol

I imagine the plants ect would indeed help ,after all in the wild they seem to manage to reproduce new generations .Of course in the wild only the same number of babies need survive as there were parents ,In captivity many moms are producing 18-20 babies a year.

Ild say your plan would make for some very happy geckos Although as good as they hide you might not ever know how many you have lol.

what if a crested geckos becomes ill? you wont notice and have no chance to go to a vet with it.
and one more point to consider, because of the plants, live food like crickets will breed uncontrolable in your greenhouse.

and yes, grown up crested geckos will definitly eat baby cresties if they find them (and they will).

of course there arent only turndowns, the geckos will definitly enjoy the large space and such ...

at the end its only a question of the little things, will they find foud, will babies be able to survive, will you control them often enough to ensure they are ok, will you find all geckos .... etc...

best regards

ingo