New Additions to BAC!

We recently welcomed some reptilian friends into the clinic.  They are two female Crested Geckos and we need help naming them!  Check out our facebook page to contribute to the name suggestions!  Names will be chosen from the suggestions in two weeks on April 5th and we will announce them on facebook!

If you would like to learn more about this really cool species, below are some interesting facts about Crested Geckos.

• The crested gecko or Rhacodactylus ciliatus, also referred to as “eyelash gecko” or “crestie,” is a small, prehensile-tailed gecko which originates in New Caledonia.
• Crested Geckos are semi-arboreal spending most of their time in small trees and low shrubs. They will however seek out hiding places near the ground to sleep during the day.
• The average lifespan is thought to be 15-20years with proper care although this is not completely accurate as they have not been in captivity for long enough to know for certain.
• An adult gecko can weigh on average 40-45 grams with a tail, though some may get a fair bit larger than this, up into the 60-70 gram range.  You should strive for healthy-bodied geckos that do not look overly ‘obese’, as obesity in geckos can have the same drawbacks that it does in other species affecting overall health.
• An average length for an adult from snout to tail tip is about 8 inches.
• As a crested gecko grows it will shed its skin. You will not often find skin in the enclosure after a shed as the gecko will normally eat the entire thing.
• Crested geckos feed on both insects and fruits. The easiest and most convenient method of feeding in captivity is to use the powdered Crested Gecko Diet and crickets. All crested geckos have the ability to change colour under certain circumstances. This is commonly known as ‘firing up’ which causes their skin to sharpen and brighen.
• A crestie can use its tail to wrap around branches (or your fingers) to slow its descent or help balance itself. The tip of the crested gecko’s tail has small ridges, a bit like a smaller version of its toe ridges, to help further slow itself should it be moving downward on a branch. This useful tail, however, is not always a permanent fixture on the gecko. If it is bitten by a predator or another gecko, or it is just startled by its handler, the gecko can drop its tail. The tail will continue wiggling for some time after it is dropped, which could possibly distract a would-be predator while the gecko makes its escape. Unlike some other lizards, the crested gecko will never grow its tail back.

While a gecko may tolerate handling that doesn’t mean she likes it and it may be traumatic for her. Always keep in mind that a crested gecko is a reptile and as much as we would love to form bonds with them as we might a dog or cat, their minds work differently from a mammals. If you want a pet you can snuggle please consider something fuzzy!