Crested gecko
Crested gecko temperature and humidity
Both ends of the temperature range are hard limits, and the humidity target is a cycle rather than a level. Those two facts cover most of what goes wrong.
By Brijon M.Last updated
82-85 F (28-29 C) at the top of the enclosure at the top of the enclosure, 70-75 F (21-24 C) at the bottom at the bottom, nights 65-72 F (18-22 C). Humidity 60-80%, allowed to dry back to 40-50% between mistings. Sustained temperatures above 85 F cause stress and heat stroke; at or below 72 F you get lethargy, poor appetite and illness.
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The figures, and why they are limits
| Parameter | Target | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Top of enclosure | 82-85 F (28-29 C) | 85 F sustained causes stress and heat stroke |
| Bottom of enclosure | 70-75 F (21-24 C) | 72 F or below sustained causes lethargy and illness |
| Night | 65-72 F (18-22 C) | A nightly drop is healthier than holding daytime temperatures |
| Humidity | 60-80% | Must dry back to around 40-50% between mistings |
The published guidance is explicit about both directions: it is very important to provide this range of temperatures, because consistent temperatures above 85 F can cause stress and heat stroke, and consistent temperatures at or below 72 F can cause lethargy, poor appetite and illness.
Read those two sentences together and the usable band is narrower than most reptile ranges. It is also, in many homes, exactly room temperature - which is why this is the one species on the site where you measure before you buy a heat source.
If you do need a heat source
The published starting point is a 50 W intense basking spot lamp in a small 5.5 inch dome fixture, on a thermostat. The guidance adds a caution worth repeating: a basking area may not be safe in enclosures too small to accommodate an appropriate thermal gradient. In a tall terrarium the gradient is vertical, which is part of why the 36 inch height matters.
Keep the probe at the top of the enclosure where the ceiling figure applies, and verify with an independent reading. A thermostat reports its own probe.
Humidity is a cycle, not a number
The target is 60 to 80%, maintained with daily misting and a moisture-retentive substrate - and the guidance is specific that you should let it dry out to around 50% or even 40% before misting again, because constant moisture encourages mold and mildew growth which can make the gecko sick.
Practically: mist at least once in the evening, and again in the morning if the enclosure has dried out. The gecko drinks the droplets off the terrarium walls and decorations, which is also why a water dish alone is not sufficient.
| Too dry | Permanently wet |
|---|---|
| Shedding problems, including retained skin on toes and tail | Mold and mildew growth |
| Dehydration - this species drinks droplets, not dishes | Respiratory problems |
| Reduced appetite | Substrate going sour |
Read it at two heights, twice a day
Zoo Med Digital Thermometer and Humidity Gauge
The gradient is vertical and the humidity is a cycle, so a single reading at a single point tells you very little. Two probes, read morning and evening.
The substrate stores the water
Coconut Husk / Cypress Mulch Humid Substrate
A moisture-retentive substrate at depth is what makes the cycle work - it holds moisture after a misting and releases it slowly, then dries back.
The top layer buffers the swing
Sphagnum Moss
In a tall enclosure the floor dries fastest. A moss layer slows that down and holds humidity near the substrate where plants and a clean-up crew live.
Night
Nightly drops in temperature are described as healthier than providing heat at night, and the guidance recommends not bothering with black, blue or red bulbs for night viewing or supplemental heat at all - crested gecko eyes function perfectly in the dark, and light at night disrupts the day-night rhythm. More on night lighting here.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature should a crested gecko enclosure be?
82-85 F (28-29 C) at the top of the enclosure at the top and 70-75 F (21-24 C) at the bottom at the bottom, with nights at 65-72 F (18-22 C).
Can a crested gecko get too hot?
Yes, and this is the main temperature risk for the species. Consistent temperatures above 85 F can cause stress and heat stroke.
What humidity does a crested gecko need?
60-80%, allowed to dry back to 40-50% between mistings. The drying-back half is as important as the target - constant moisture encourages mold and mildew that can make the gecko sick.
How often should I mist my crested gecko?
At least once in the evening, and again in the morning if the enclosure has dried out. The gecko drinks droplets off the walls and decorations.
Sources
- Crested Gecko Temperatures & Humidity — ReptiFiles
- Crested Gecko Terrarium Size & Cohabitation Notes — ReptiFiles
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