What UVB bulb is right for my crested gecko, and how old is he?

Hi there! We have a Crested Gecko and have so much fun with him! Don’t worry, they are a great starter reptile and are pretty easy to keep. In the winter we use a red light to keep the tank warmer, but not a specific heat lamp. This keeps the tank warm enough without getting too hot. Also very important is the humidity of the tank. Keeping it spritzed several times a day is necessary. We started with a tank your size and it probably would have been just fine long term, but we ended up purchasing a larger tank because we wanted a different look. Best of luck and have fun with your crestie! Thank you for using Pet Coach.

Crested geckos don't "need" UVB lighting as long as they are fed a diet adequate in vitamin D3. Soak or mist him with warm water to help facilitate shedding. The cloudiness may be related to the shed or it may be due to infection or trauma. An exam with your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles would be recommended if the cloudiness does not resolve after the shed is complete.

Most species of geckos, being nocturnal, do not require UVB lighting. Being cold blooded though, they do need a heat source. Your body temp will not be sufficient for good health. Replace the light/heat source with an appropriate bulb. You can easily buy one online or at most pet stores. Low temps will stress him which can lead to illness. Low temps also affect appetite activity and digestion. Sexing geckos is fairly easy. An adult male will have a bulge behind the vent that is very noticeable. You will also see a row of femoral pores shaped like a "V" in front of the vent in male geckos. Since he is going into a shed, provide a moist hide in the enclosure and/or increase the humidity temporarily. These two species look similar but there are differences. To help with identification, closely exam your gecko. Leos will lose their bands and develop spots, hence the name, as they mature. They also get much bigger than banded geckos. Leos also have rougher, bumpier skin as opposed to a banded gecko's smoother skin. If you post a picture of him on his profile, we can possibly determine what species of geckos you own.

Hello, here is a link to care sheet for crested geckos. I suggest you read it carefully and make sure you are doing everything correct with regards to husbandry. I think this will answer most of your questions but if not, feel free to post again. ( http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Lizards/Crested-Gecko/ ) You cannot tell their age unless you know when they were born. Short of that all you can do is guess based on size.

Hello. While 75-80F is a good range for the warm end of the cage, it would be ideal to have temps from 68-75 at the cooler end so he can self regulate his temperature. If the enclosure is too small to allow such a temperature gradient, then you may find your gecko will become stressed from being either too hot or too cold, and then susceptible to infection. Look through the enclosure and over his body for signs of infection or illness. Count food items offered so you can be sure how much he eats. Also consider a red or blue bulb for night viewing. This may help you observe his nocturnal activity better. Regardless, a new pet exam by a veterinarian is always a good idea to ensure good health and proper husbandry. Good luck!

If he isn't struggling or trying to escape, he's probably okay with being held. Don't hold him for too long initially. Gradually increase the handling time to acclimate him. Even though he doesn't struggle, it may still be stressful, so he'll return to a safe place when returned to the enclosure. As he adjusts to his new surroundings, he may begin to explore. A "best guess" on age would be 12 to 16 weeks. Reptiles have different growth rates depending on diet, availability of food and environmental factors.

Hi there. I have a created gecko in my sons room. We love him! I would encourage you to get a red night lamp for his cage. It helps keep the cage warm, adds some light to the room, but is a spectrum that does not interfere with his circadian rhythm. As far as the oils go, there is a lot we don’t know about exotic animals. I would not be too concerned, but I would recommend watching closely for any signs of respiratory symptoms such as breathing hard, not eating etc. Best of luck and have fun with your gecko! They are a great little pet! Thank you for using Pet Coach.