Crested Gecko — Cappuccino
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.
Ambiente
Terrestre
Umidade
60 - 80 %
Temperatura diurna
22 - 26 °C
Temperatura noturna
20 - 22 °C
Tamanho adulto
20 cm
Descrição da espécie
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.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
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.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
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.
Origem
Melhoramento seletivo e cultivaresAustrália, Nova Guiné e Oceania
Perfil de réptil
- Dieta
- 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.
- Tamanho adulto
- 20 cm
- Estilo de vida/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.
- Ciclo de atividades
- 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.
- Socialidade
- 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.
- Reprodução
- 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.
- Tolerância de tratamento
- 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.
- Brumação
- Não obrigatório
- 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.
- Muda
- 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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