Crested Gecko — Lilly White
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.
Environnement
Terrestre
Humidité
60 - 80 %
Température diurne
22 - 26 °C
Température nocturne
20 - 22 °C
Taille adulte
20 cm
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: This morph belongs to the species Correlophus ciliatus, native to New Caledonia, primarily Grand Terre and the Isle of Pines. They inhabit warm, humid tropical rainforests, dwelling in the lower canopy, shrubs, and undergrowth. They are strictly arboreal geckos adapted to temperate tropical climates.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belongs to the family Diplodactylidae. The 'Lilly White' is a highly celebrated co-dominant genetic mutation discovered by Lilly Exotics. The heterozygous form displays the characteristic high-contrast white coloration, whereas the homozygous (super) form is letale, resulting in non-viable embryos.
Behavior and Habits: Nocturnal and crepuscular. They spend daylight hours hiding in hollow logs or dense foliage and become active at night to hunt and climb. They have a calm temperament and tolerate gentle handling, though care must be taken to prevent tail drop (autotomy), as their tail does not regenerate.
Morphology: Retains the classic crested gecko body plan with specialized crests running from above the eyes down the spine. The unique feature of the Lilly White morph is the stark, solid milky-white coloration extending over the belly, flanks, and dorsal area, contrasting sharply with lateral base colors like orange or brown.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Terrarium Setup: An vertically-oriented enclosure is required, with a minimum size of 45x45x60 cm for one adult. Decorate with climbing branches of varying diameters, cork bark tubes, and dense live plants (such as Epipremnum aureum or Sansevieria) to create hiding spaces. Substrate should consist of organic soil, peat moss, or coconut fiber.
Lighting and Heating: Does not require high heat. Maintain daytime temperatures between 22 and 26 degrees Celsius (71-78°F), dropping to 18-20 degrees at night. Avoid temperatures exceeding 28 degrees Celsius, as overheating can be fatal. Provide a low-output UVB light (2% to 5%) to support calcium absorption.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain relative humidity between 60% and 80%. Mist the enclosure thoroughly twice daily, in the morning and evening, allowing the tank to dry out slightly between mistings. Geckos drink water droplets from leaves and glass. Keep a shallow water dish inside the enclosure at all times.
Feeding and Supplementation: Omnivorous. Their primary diet consists of high-quality powdered crested gecko meal replacements (MRP) mixed with water. Supplement this paste twice a week with live, gut-loaded insects like crickets or roaches. Dust all insects with calcium and vitamin D3 before feeding.
Compatibility: Males are extremely territorial and must never be housed together. A single male can be kept with females for breeding purposes in larger enclosures, but close observation is necessary. Generally, housing geckos individually is the safest practice to prevent resource competition and fighting.
Health and Common Diseases: Susceptible to Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) if dietary calcium and D3 are lacking. Inadequate humidity leads to dysecdysis (stuck shed), especially on toes and tail tips. Ensure enclosure hygiene is maintained to prevent respiratory and skin infections caused by bacteria.
Origine et répartition géographiques
This morph belongs to the species Correlophus ciliatus, native to New Caledonia, primarily Grand Terre and the Isle of Pines. They inhabit warm, humid tropical rainforests, dwelling in the lower canopy, shrubs, and undergrowth. They are strictly arboreal geckos adapted to temperate tropical climates.
Origine
Sélection et cultivarsAustralie, Nouvelle-Guinée et Océanie
Profil de reptile
- Régime alimentaire
- Omnivore
- In the wild, the Crested Gecko is primarily an omnivore, feeding on a wide variety of insects, overripe fruits, and nectar found in the canopy of New Caledonia. In captivity, their dietary needs are mostly met through commercially prepared powdered diets that provide a balanced ratio of fruit, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Offering live feeder insects like crickets or dubia roaches once or twice a week is highly recommended to stimulate hunting behavior and provide essential proteins for growth and breeding. Insects should be appropriately sized and dusted with calcium and vitamin D3 supplements to prevent metabolic bone disease.
- Taille adulte
- 20 cm
- Mode de vie/microhabitat
- Arboreal
- They are predominantly arboreal, spending the vast majority of their lives in the canopy of trees and tall shrubs. They possess specialized toe pads with microscopic setae that allow them to easily scale smooth vertical surfaces.
- Cycle d'activité
- Crepuscular
- These geckos are primarily crepuscular and nocturnal, becoming highly active during the twilight hours of dusk and dawn, as well as throughout the night. During the day, they typically remain hidden and asleep in foliage or bark.
- Sociabilité
- Gregarious
- As naturally solitary and nocturnal reptiles, Crested Geckos spend their days resting in foliage and become active at dusk to forage and explore. Males are highly territorial and will fight aggressively if housed together, often resulting in severe injury or tail loss. While females can occasionally be kept in small groups under close supervision in large enclosures, solitary housing is the safest and least stressful approach for all individuals. They are widely recognized for their docile temperament with humans and will tolerate gentle, short handling sessions once acclimated, though excessive handling can induce stress.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- The Crested Gecko is oviparous and remarkably prolific when maintained under optimal conditions. Females typically lay clutches of two eggs every 30 to 45 days during the breeding season, burying them in a moist substrate. Incubation temperatures can influence the hatching time and, to some extent, the sex ratio of the offspring, generally taking between 60 and 120 days depending on the thermal environment. Cappuccino is an incomplete dominant gene. The homozygous form creates a dark 'Super Cappuccino'. Careful genetic tracking is essential when working with these distinct morphological variations to maintain healthy lineages and avoid undesirable traits.
- Tolérance aux manipulations
- Tolerant
- Generally very docile and tolerant of human interaction, making them excellent pets for beginners. However, they are known to be "jumpy" and can drop their tails if startled or grabbed abruptly, a condition that is permanent as their tails do not regenerate.
- Brumation
- Non requise
- This species does not require a brumation period and can be kept at standard room temperatures (72-78°F or 22-25°C) year-round. A slight nighttime temperature drop is natural but extreme cold should be avoided.
- Mue
- Periodic
- Shedding occurs regularly, typically every 2 to 4 weeks depending on the age and growth rate of the gecko. Proper shedding requires a consistently humid environment (60-80% relative humidity), and they will instinctively eat their shed skin to recover nutrients and hide their presence from predators.
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