Crested Gecko — Dalmatian
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: Endemic to the southern regions of New Caledonia and surrounding islands (e.g. Isle of Pines). It is an arboreal species that inhabits the low and medium canopy of dense tropical rainforests, sheltering from direct sunlight under foliage.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belonging to the family Diplodactylidae, Correlophus ciliatus was once thought to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1994. The 'Dalmatian' morph is a genetic trait characterized by black or red spots scattered across the body, resembling a Dalmatian dog.
Behavior and Habits: Crepuscular and nocturnal. They spend their days resting under foliage and become active at night, leaping between branches. They are generally very docile, though prone to sudden jumps if startled.
Morphology: Characterized by a triangular head, soft skin, and eyelash-like crests. Adult males are easily sexed by the presence of prominent hemipenal bulges at the tail base, which females lack.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Terrarium Setup: Arboreal setup is required. Use a vertically-oriented terrarium of at least 45x45x60 cm for an adult. Densely plant with broad-leafed plants (Pothos, Sansevieria) and provide flexible vertical branches and vines. Use a moisture-retaining substrate such as coconut fiber. Elevate the water dish.
Lighting and Heating: Prefer moderate room temperatures. Maintain a range of 22–26°C. Avoid heat mats, hot rocks, or strong halogen spots, as temperatures above 28°C can cause heat stroke. Provide a weak UVB light (5%) for bone health.
Humidity and Hydration: High humidity of 60–80% is required. Mist the terrarium thoroughly every evening to allow the geckos to lick water droplets from leaves and their eyes. Allow the terrarium to dry out to 50–60% during the day.
Feeding and Supplementation: The primary diet should be complete powdered fruit replacement diets (e.g. Repashy, Pangea) mixed with water. Supplement once or twice a week with live insects (crickets or roaches) dusted with calcium and vitamin D3 to encourage growth and natural hunting behaviors.
Compatibility: Peaceful with humans, but males are highly territorial. Never house multiple males together. A single male can be kept with multiple females in large terrariums, or keep them individually. Do not mix with other reptile species.
Health and Common Diseases: Highly prone to tail loss (autotomy) under high stress, rough handling, or pinches. Note that their tail will not regenerate; they will remain tailless ("frog-butt"). Susceptible to metabolic bone disease (MBD) if calcium is not provided.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
Endemic to the southern regions of New Caledonia and surrounding islands (e.g. Isle of Pines). It is an arboreal species that inhabits the low and medium canopy of dense tropical rainforests, sheltering from direct sunlight under foliage.
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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