If you’re considering getting a crested gecko as a pet, you might be wondering what kind of plants they like. In this article, we’ll go over some of the best plants for crested geckos, as well as some tips on how to care for them.
Table of Contents
What kind of plants do crested geckos like?
Crested geckos are typically found in humid tropical forests, so they enjoy plants that can thrive in similar environments. Some good options for plants that crested geckos like include bromeliads, ferns, orchids, and philodendrons.
All of these plants are able to tolerate high humidity and provide crested geckos with a place to hide and climb. When choosing plants for your crested gecko, be sure to avoid any that are poisonous or could cause digestive issues.
What do crested geckos like in their tank?
Crested geckos are arboreal lizards, meaning they spend a majority of their time in trees. In the wild, they live in tropical rainforests and are most commonly found on the island of New Caledonia.
When keeping crested geckos as pets, it’s important to provide them with an enclosure that replicates their natural habitat as much as possible. This means creating a tall, vertical space with plenty of places to climb and hide.
Crested geckos are not picky eaters and will accept most commercially available insect foods. A good diet for a crested gecko should include a variety of insects, such as crickets, roaches, and mealworms. Live food should be dusted with a calcium powder supplement to ensure proper nutrition.
Crested geckos will also drink water from a bowl or droplet, but will not typically drink from a dripping faucet like some other lizards.
In conclusion, crested geckos are relatively easy to care for as long as their basic needs are met. A tall vertical enclosure with plenty of places to climb and hide, along with a nutritious diet of live insects, will keep your crested gecko happy and healthy.
What accessories do you need for a crested gecko?
There are a few key accessories that you will need to properly care for a crested gecko. First, you will need a terrarium or vivarium that is at least 18x18x24 inches in size.
This will give your gecko plenty of room to roam and explore. You will also need a substrate, such as paper towels, to line the bottom of the terrarium. This will help keep your gecko’s habitat clean and free of bacteria. Next, you will need a water dish for your gecko to drink from.
Be sure to clean and refill this dish daily. Finally, you will need a hiding spot for your gecko to retreat to when it feels scared or threatened. This can be a small cardboard box or a piece of driftwood. By providing these essential accessories, you will create a happy and healthy environment for your crested gecko to thrive in.
What plants are toxic to crested geckos?
There are a few plants that are toxic to crested geckos and should be avoided if you have these pets. These include:
Sago palms
These plants contain cycasin, which is poisonous to many animals including crested geckos. Symptoms of toxicity include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and liver damage.
Oleander
This plant is highly toxic to crested geckos and can cause death. Symptoms of toxicity include vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and seizures.
Dieffenbachia
This plant contains saponins which are toxic to crested geckos. Symptoms of toxicity include vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty swallowing.
Philodendron
This plant contains oxalates which can irritate the mucous membranes and cause swelling of the mouth and throat in crested geckos. Symptoms of toxicity include drooling, difficulty swallowing, and swelling of the tongue and throat.
Peace lily
This plant contains calcium oxalate crystals which can cause irritation and burning in the mouth and throat of crested geckos. Symptoms of toxicity include drooling, difficulty swallowing, and swelling of the tongue and throat.
Are aloe plants safe for crested geckos?
Yes, aloe plants are safe for crested geckos. The plant contains a sap that is known to have healing properties, and it is also a good source of moisture.
What decorations do crested geckos like?
Crested geckos are a type of lizard that is native to parts of Asia. These lizards are known for their distinctive crest, which runs along their back and tail. Crested geckos are relatively small lizards, and they are popular pets because of their docile nature and easy care requirements.
As far as decorations go, crested geckos are not particularly fussy. A simple setup with a few hiding places and some plants will be suitable for most pet crested geckos.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind when setting up a crested gecko enclosure.
- First, crested geckos need access to hiding places. This can be in the form of hiding spots within the plants in their enclosure, or it can be an actual hiding spot such as a cave or hollow log. Hiding spots are important for crested geckos because they provide a place for the lizard to feel safe and secure.
- Second, crested geckos need access to climbing surfaces. These lizards are good climbers, and they will appreciate having things to climb on in their enclosure. This can be in the form of rocks, branches, or even artificial structures such as ladders or vines.
- Finally, crested geckos need a source of humidity. This can be provided by misting the enclosure with water, or by using a humidity chamber. A humidity chamber is simply a container with a lid that has a hole in it for the crested gecko to enter. The container is then filled with moist substrate such as sphagnum moss or coco coir.
By providing these basic needs, you will create a suitable environment for your pet crested gecko.
What types of plants do crested geckos like?
There are a variety of plants that crested geckos like, such as ficus, pothos, hibiscus, and schefflera. All of these plants provide the gecko with essential nutrients, moisture, and shelter.
Ficus and pothos are especially good at providing the gecko with hiding places and areas to climb. Hibiscus and schefflera provide the gecko with a source of food and moisture.
All of these plants are essential to the crested gecko’s health and well-being.
What are the benefits of plants for crested geckos?
The benefits of plants for crested geckos are many and varied. Plants provide essential nutrients and moisture that help crested geckos stay healthy and hydrated.
They also help regulate temperature and humidity levels in the enclosure, and can provide essential hiding places and perches. Plants also help to create a more naturalistic and aesthetically pleasing enclosure.
How to create a plant-friendly environment for your crested gecko
If you want your crested gecko to feel at home and be as healthy as possible, you should create a plant-friendly environment. Here are some tips on how to do that:
- Use live plants instead of plastic ones. Live plants not only look more natural, but they also help purify the air and create a more humid environment, which is essential for crested geckos.
- Be careful with the plants you choose. Some plants are poisonous to reptiles, so make sure to do your research before adding anything to your terrarium.
- Create hiding spots for your gecko. Plants can provide natural hiding spots for your gecko to feel safe and secure.
- Consider using plants that are safe for reptiles to eat. Some reptiles like to nibble on plants, so choosing ones that are safe for them to eat is a good idea.
By following these tips, you can create a plant-friendly environment that will benefit your crested gecko.
Summary
To conclude, crested geckos enjoy a variety of different plants. Some of their favorites include bromeliads, ferns, hibiscus, and orchids. Crested geckos also enjoy eating the leaves of these plants. While they are not picky eaters, they do seem to prefer plants with softer leaves.
