Reptile & Amphibian Forums

First of I told him no reptiles that require UVB. I dont want to deal with that.So do they need this?
Second how much do they eat as far as insects? My oldest had a beardie years ago and that thing was ravinous.I dont mind insects eaters but I have limited access to them.I know that they eat fruit or crested food of some sort as well?
How do they compare with a leopard gecko as far as personality?

He/we havent decided but its between a ball python, leopard gecko and a crestie.I know plenty about the ball pythons and the leos but nothing much about these little cuties.Any help is greatly appreciated.

They don’t need UV light. They are nocturnal so that makes it easy. I don’t have any lights on my cage at all. You can feed insects on occasion to not at all they do well on just using Crested Gecko Diet (A dehydrated powered diet).
I think they have a much better personality then Leo’s, but I might be bias.

Tom

Wow that sounds perfect for us.He is 9 but has a cornsnake and a betta that he has taken very good care of so I think a crestie might just be acceptable as well..thanks for the info. Now he has to do his research and tell me about it.

No UVB is required, No insects are required either. No heat is required IF your room temperature (where the cage will be set up) stays withing 68-80F) year around. If there are little drops below 68 but not below 60F once in awhile, it will be find. However watch temps that go over 80F for several hours or longer. Temperatures over 85F can easily kill a crested gecko.

The crested gecko diet by Superfoods (T-Rex) is fine for the entire life of the crested gecko. They don't need anything else and it comes in variety of flavors. The Complete Crested Gecko diet by Clark is also alright...though I am not as confident with this product...not sure if alot of egg white is good for crested geckos (it is made with egg powder...among other things).

As for personality...compared to leopard geckos...well I never owned leopard geckos, but crested geckos do have personality and do tolerate handling (Gentle!) for short periods of time. Unlike leo's though, if a crested gecko looses its tail, it does not grow back. Leopard geckos will grow their tails back.

Crested geckos are easier to keep since they don't require special heating or lighting...and do well in a vertical style cage...be it an Extra Terra vivarium style enclosure..or a simple clear plastic setup.
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PHLdyPayne

Wow and no heat? that is easy.I imagine in winter I will have to supplement a bit.I have snakes so I do have a temp gun and flexwatt, but maybe a low wattage CHE would be better for winter.Sounds like a great adventure, now im excited about his pet...If he doesnt get one I may anyway..

I don't provide additional heat for my geckos, but my apartment stays a near constant 75F even in winter..though the coldest days/nights it may drop a couple degrees. I don't have control over the heat in my place which in some ways suck as i prefer a room temperature much lower than that. But my reptiles do well so can't complain too much.

If your room temperatures drop alot in winter, some flexwatt on a thermostat should be fine. Not sure you can find a CHE less than 100 watts which may be too much heat for a crested gecko so since you already have the flexwatt it may be more convenient to just use a strip of that for really cold nights. Or move the cage into the warmest room for the winter.
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PHLdyPayne

The temps in our house fluctuate pretty badly in winter,its an old drafty house..I do have extra flexwatt so if that works better I can use that.Thanks, I go to the reptile expo in Sept here and cant wait to take a look at those cresties.