With their expressive eyes, charming personalities, and cute faces, crested geckos make for popular pets. But do they enjoy or need the company of other crested geckos?
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: No, crested geckos are not social animals and do not need interaction with other crested geckos to thrive. In fact, keeping multiple crested geckos together can be unsafe due to the potential for aggression and breeding.
In this comprehensive, 3000 word guide we will explain why crested geckos are generally considered solitary reptiles, yet some limited interaction between them can be tolerated under certain circumstances.
Understanding Crested Gecko Sociability
Origin of Crested Geckos in the Wild
Crested geckos (Correlophus ciliatus) are native to the southern islands of New Caledonia located in the southwest Pacific Ocean. In their natural rainforest habitat, they lead predominantly solitary lives and are rarely seen interacting with other crested geckos outside of breeding season.
Their solitary nature likely developed as a result of the dense forests they inhabit, where food sources tend to be scattered across large territories. By remaining solitary, crested geckos can maximize their access to available insects, fruit, nectar, and pollen within their home ranges without competing over resources.
Researchers have fitted wild crested geckos with radio transmitters to study their movement patterns and found that males occupy home ranges averaging 335 square meters while slightly smaller females occupy averages ranges of 205 square meters (1).
Within these territories, each gecko lives and hunts alone.
Territorial Behavior in Captivity
The solitary nature of crested geckos often carries over even when they are kept as pets. In captivity, they frequently behave territoriality towards other crested geckos when housed together.
Common aggressive behaviors exhibited by crested geckos include lunging, tail whipping, barking, and biting when defending their enclosures. Even if outright fighting does not occur, the stress of living with other geckos in close quarters can cause health issues over time.
Therefore, hobbyists recommend housing pet crested geckos separately in their own enclosures. However, some exceptions may occur if breeding pairs or compatible females are kept together successfully.
In cases where housing multiple crested geckos together cannot be avoided, providing ample space and resources can help reduce competition and aggression. For example, large custom-built vivariums over 100 gallons containing multiple hides, heat gradients, and plentiful feed stations spread far apart have allowed for small groups to coexist harmoniously.
Ultimately though, the solitary wild origins of crested geckos make them predisposed to territoriality towards their own kind in enclosed spaces. While their interactions with humans may be quite docile and friendly, forcing too much socialization with members of their own species goes against their natural behaviors.
Keepers must understand and respect crested geckos tend to thrive best on their own.
Risks of Housing Crested Geckos Together
Aggression Toward Other Geckos
Although crested geckos are not considered highly territorial, housing multiple crested geckos together can lead to aggressive behavior (Reptiles Magazine). Even geckos that have been housed together harmoniously may suddenly turn on each other.
Crested geckos lack social structure and will not hesitate to bite or attack other geckos they perceive as threats in a confined space.
Risk of Injuries and Stress
Fights between cresties can result in serious injuries like lost tails or toes, skin damage, and eye injuries. The stress of living with hostile tankmates also takes a major toll on their health and lifespan.
Studies show that reptiles housed solitarily live longer than group-housed animals (University of Illinois). Constant vigilance and fear of attack produces chronic stress, suppressing the immune system and increasing disease susceptibility.
Unwanted Breeding
Breeding crested geckos requires careful planning, but cohabitated animals may breed unexpectedly, even incestuously between siblings or offspring and parents. Unprepared owners will struggle to accommodate rapidly growing numbers of hatchlings.
Frequent breeding also taxes female health as their calcium and nutrient reserves are depleted after producing multiple clutches per year. Experts recommend housing adult cresties alone or with same-sex cage mates only.
Risk | Consequence |
---|---|
Aggression & Fighting | Injury, Stress, Death |
Constant Stress | Lower Immunity, Disease |
Accidental Breeding | Rapid Overpopulation, Female Exhaustion |
The reptile community overwhelmingly cautions crestie owners not to cohabitate these solitary geckos. Their basic welfare is best provided through individual housing enriched with branches, plants, and hides rather than potentially dangerous cage mates.
Exceptions When Housing Together May Work
Carefully Selected Tank Mates
Crested geckos are primarily solitary creatures. However, in some cases, housing certain crested geckos together can work out if done carefully and selectively. The key is choosing tank mates of similar size and temperament that get along well. Monitor them closely for signs of stress or aggression.
Some possible pairings include:
- Two young juveniles raised together from a very early age.
- A male and female pair during breeding season (they should still get separate enclosures after breeding).
- Mild-tempered females of similar size.
Never house mature males together due to their territorial nature. And avoid combining crested geckos of vastly different sizes, as bullying and intimidation can occur.
Male-Female Pairs During Breeding Season
Male and female crested gecko pairs can cohabitate temporarily during breeding season. The male will pursue and court the female but serious fighting is rare. Still, closely observe mating pairs for signs of distress or combativeness.
House mating pairs in larger enclosures (around 40 gallons) with plenty of hides, plants, and climbing opportunities. This allows the female to retreat if needed. Separate the geckos again after 2-3 months together to give the female a reproductive rest.
Juveniles Raised Together
Raising crested gecko juveniles together from a very early age can allow them to tolerate tank mates as adults. Introduce babies as young as 2-3 months old. Make sure juveniles are similar in size to prevent bullying.
Provide plenty of space, foliage, and hiding spots. Watch for hostile behavior like tail whipping, biting, or displays of dominance. Separate any geckos that don’t get along. With patience and proper care, some babies raised together accept tank mates as grown crested geckos.
Providing Alternative Forms of Enrichment
Tank Setup and Decor
Crested geckos enjoy exploring and climbing in their habitat, so providing ample opportunities for enrichment is key. Here are some great ways to set up a crested gecko tank for maximum engagement:
- Use lots of branches, vines, and cork bark to create a naturalistic and complex climbing area. The more horizontal and vertical space you provide, the better.
- Add plenty of foliage from safe plants like pothos, philodendrons, and monsteras. These provide hiding spots and visual barriers.
- Incorporate textured surfaces like coconut fiber mats, reptile carpets, and natural branches. This gives geckos variety to walk on.
- Provide ledges, platforms, and hides spread out vertically in the tank. Geckos enjoy climbing to different levels.
- Use magnetic-mounted dishes and leaves so you can move accessories around and give your gecko a frequently changing layout.
A well-decorated crested gecko tank allows your pet to behave as naturally as possible by climbing, exploring, and engaging with their environment. This enrichment is essential for their health and happiness.
Human Interaction
While crested geckos are solitary animals, they can still benefit from positive human interaction. Some enriching ways to bond with your crested gecko include:
- Hand-feeding tasty treats like baby food or insects to establish trust and get them comfortable being handled.
- Gently petting their backs, heads, and chins once they are acclimated to contact.
- Allowing them out-of-cage time to explore you and their environment under supervision.
- Using a soft paintbrush to rub their cheeks and simulate social grooming from other geckos.
- Providing a variety of handling experiences – cupped in hands, resting on shoulder, walking on a tabletop.
Start slow with short, positive sessions and be conscious of your gecko’s body language. Never force interaction. While not overtly social, crested geckos can bond with their owners and benefit mentally and physically from attentive human interaction.
Environmental Enrichment
In addition to a well-designed tank, providing proper environmental conditions is crucial for crested gecko enrichment. Some tips include:
- Maintain ideal day and night temperatures – 70-80°F during the day, dropping to 65-75°F at night.
- Keep the enclosure humid but not wet – between 50-80% humidity is optimal.
- Offer UVB lighting on a 12 hour cycle to mimic daylight patterns.
- Provide ample hide spots to feel secure and lower stress.
- Use natural materials like leaves, wood, and stone for visual and tactile diversity.
- Allow unsupervised exploration in a gecko-proofed room for extra exercise.
By giving your gecko an enriched habitat and environment tailored to their needs, you will have a healthy, engaged companion. Remember that every gecko has a unique personality, so observe behaviors closely to determine what enrichment they respond to best!
Signs of Stress and Aggression in Group Housed Geckos
Keeping crested geckos together can be tricky. While some tolerate living in groups well, others may show signs of stress, discomfort or outright aggression towards their tank mates. Knowing what behaviors to look out for is key to ensuring a safe and healthy habitat.
Stress Signals
Geckos that are feeling stressed or threatened in a communal enclosure may exhibit the following body language and actions:
- Lack of appetite or interest in food
- Hiding more than usual
- Reluctance to leave a shelter or preferred hiding area
- Pressing body against the glass walls or trying to climb enclosure
- Closing eyes for long periods during daytime/activity hours
- Loss of weight or muscle mass over time
These signs indicate the gecko does not feel safe or comfortable sharing space with the other inhabitants. If stress continues long-term, it can severely impact health and quality of life.
Aggressive Tendencies
Outright aggressive behavior is also possible in group scenarios. This includes actions like:
- Lunging, chasing or biting cage mates
- Preventing others from accessing food, heat or prime hiding spots
- Excessive vocalizations when confronting other geckos
- Grappling using mouth or front limbs against other individuals
- Inflicting wounds from bites that break skin and draw blood
Such conduct shows certain geckos are unwilling to tolerate cohabitation and will act to remove competitors by force. Left unchecked, weaker or more docile geckos may become injured, starved or even killed by more aggressive tank mates.
Percentage of crested geckos suitable for communal living | 25-35% |
Average number of geckos that can share a 18 x 18 x 24 inch tank | 3 females or 2 females and 1 male |
Optimal group size for 20 gallon long tank | 3-5 juveniles or 2-3 adults |
As the statistics show, not all crested geckos do well together in one enclosure. Their personality, temperament and territorial instincts vary individually. That’s why careful supervision is a must anytime housing these reptiles in a community setting.
If tension arises, prompt separation into solo habitats may become necessary.
For further tips on safe group housing practices, check out the care guides on sites like Moon Valley Reptiles or ReptiFiles. With vigilant monitoring and proper precautions, communal living can succeed and even benefit certain crested geckos.
But at the first sign of trouble, always be prepared to give quarreling tank mates their own private pads!
Conclusion
While crested geckos are solitary reptiles that thrive on their own, limited interaction under very specific circumstances may be tolerated. However, as a general rule of thumb crested geckos should be housed individually with proper environmental enrichment to mimic elements of their natural habitat.
By understanding their natural behaviors and tendencies, as well as the risks associated with keeping them together, you can make the best housing decision for your crested gecko’s health and happiness.