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Crested Gecko - Pinstripe Morph
Correlophus ciliatus
The Pinstripe Crested Gecko is a color morph of Correlophus ciliatus characterized by two continuous cream or white lines running along the outer edges of the dorsal crests.
Class:Squamata
Order:Squamata
Family:Diplodactylidae
Genus:Correlophus
Species:Correlophus ciliatus*
* Pinstripe
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
60 - 80 %
Day temperature
22 - 26 °C
Night temperature
20 - 22 °C
Adult size
13 cm
UVB
Low
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Crested geckos are native to New Caledonia, specifically Grande Terre and the Isle of Pines. They inhabit warm, humid primary and secondary rainforests, living on low branches, shrubs, and vines. The "Cappuccino" morph is a modern color mutation selectively bred in captivity.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belonging to the family Diplodactylidae. The "Cappuccino" morph is a recently isolated co-dominant genetic line. This mutation intensifies and darkens the base color of the gecko, resulting in deep chocolate-brown hues mixed with coffee and cream tones, while removing bright orange and yellow pigments.
Behavior and Habits: Arboreal, crepuscular, and nocturnal. During the day, they sleep hidden in dense foliage or tree hollows, emerging at dusk to leap between branches foraging for insects and fruit. They are generally docile and handleable, though capable of sudden jumps if startled.
Morphology: Features a wedge-shaped head fringed by two rows of hair-like crests running from the eyes down the spine. The "Cappuccino" morph displays dark brown, mocha, and cream patterns. The tail is prehensile with an adhesive pad, but if dropped, it will not regenerate (crested geckos remain tailless). Eyes are lidless with vertical pupils.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: A vertical terrarium measuring at least 40x40x60h cm is required for a single adult. Furnish with branches of various thicknesses, live plants (Pothos, Sansevieria), and vertical cork bark flats. The substrate should be a soil-peat mix covered in moss to retain moisture.
Lighting and Heating: They prefer moderate temperatures. Daytime ranges should stay between 22°C and 26°C (72-79°F). Sustained temperatures above 28°C (82°F) can cause fatal heat stress. Nighttime temperatures can drop to 18-20°C (64-68°F). UVB is not strictly mandatory if dietary D3 is provided, but a 2% or 5% T5 UVB tube benefits health.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain a relative humidity level of 60-80%. Thoroughly mist the enclosure 1-2 times daily, especially at night. Geckos drink water droplets off leaves and tank walls. Keep a shallow dish of fresh water available. Allow the enclosure to dry out slightly during the day.
Feeding and Supplementation: Omnivorous. Captive feeding relies heavily on high-quality powdered crested gecko diet (CGD) mixed with water, supplemented with live, gut-loaded insects (crickets, roaches) 1-2 times a week. Dust insects with calcium and D3 before feeding.
Compatibility: Males are highly territorial and must be housed alone. Females can occasionally share massive setups, but solitary housing is highly recommended to prevent social stress. Never house males and females together unless pairing temporarily for breeding.
Health and Common Diseases: Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) is a severe risk from poor calcium/vitamin D3 intake. Tail autotomy (loss of tail) occurs due to stress or rough handling. Skin or respiratory infections can develop if the enclosure is cold, wet, and lacks ventilation.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Crested geckos are native to New Caledonia, specifically Grande Terre and the Isle of Pines. They inhabit warm, humid primary and secondary rainforests, living on low branches, shrubs, and vines. The "Cappuccino" morph is a modern color mutation selectively bred in captivity.
Origin
Selective breeding and cultivarsAustralia, New Guinea, and Oceania
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 13 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 13 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 13 cm for this species, recorded as snout–vent length (SVL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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