Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I got a hatchling crested at the begining of june. It was about a week old when I got it. I've been feeding it a mixture of half peach babyfood, half CGD 5-6 times a week, and the temp is about 76-78 during the day and 72-74 at night, with humidity around 70%. About how big should it be(length in inches would be preffered because I don't have a scale). The reason I'm asking is because it doesn't seem to be growing much. And how often should it shed? Once I saw some old skin coming off his head, but I can't see any old skin laying in the cage. Do they eat the skin or something? And do they shed pieces of skin gradually, or do they shed it all at the same time? Also, I need to get it out of its cage so I can clean the cage, but I'm not sure how to do this. I doen't want to hurt him by grabbing him and I have no experience holding cresteds, so he'd probably get away within 2 seconds. How do you guys get hatchlings out of their cage?
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My collection:
1.0 Columbian BCI
0.0.1 Crested Gecko
1.2 Ball Pythons

About how big should it be(length in inches would be preffered because I don't have a scale). The reason I'm asking is because it doesn't seem to be growing much.

I purchased my two on July 9th and they were 3 and a half inches at the time. I think they've grown just a tiny bit since then.

I'm not sure how fast their growth rate is though..sorry...it's something I'm wondering myself.

And how often should it shed? Once I saw some old skin coming off his head, but I can't see any old skin laying in the cage. Do they eat the skin or something? And do they shed pieces of skin gradually, or do they shed it all at the same time?

Not sure how often they shed, but yes, they do eat the shed skin. And I believe they shed it all at the same time. At least that is how it appears in pictures I've seen. I found just a tiny scrap of shed skin stuck to some wood, so it was the only evidence I had that one of the geckos had shed. If they are having a problem shedding, you'll know. They won't be able to stick to the sides of their cage or if you find pieces of skin stuck to them that won't come off, then you know you have a problem.

You temp and humidity levels are the same as mine, and mine seem to be doing okay, so I'm sure your gecko is okay.

Also, I need to get it out of its cage so I can clean the cage, but I'm not sure how to do this. I doen't want to hurt him by grabbing him and I have no experience holding cresteds, so he'd probably get away within 2 seconds. How do you guys get hatchlings out of their cage?

I never really pick mine up. I just scoot them towards the top of the cage and then they either walk or jump onto my hand. Then I place them in a container while I clean their cage.

They like to jump, so be prepared.

Good luck!
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~Kimmy
0.0.2 crested geckos

I have a couple young crested geckos (or they were when I bought them in February, they are, of course, bigger and older now). I clean their cages during the day, when they are typically curled up in the leaves or hiding in the papertowel at the bottom. then I just either gently pick them up or let them jump into a small critter keeper, lined with paper towel. Never had much a problem getting the small ones into the keeper, it's my two young adults that are a pain. They run up my arm and wind up somewhere on my back LOL. I am just their big tree.