Crested Gecko: The Bouncy, Big-Eyed Climber Your Kid Will Fall in Love With
FREE PARENT GUIDE FROM YOUR FRIENDS AT SCALY SAFARI
THE VIBE CHECK
If you want a reptile that’s adorable, quirky, and looks like it does its own eyelashes… congratulations.
You’ve just met the Crested Gecko.
They’re basically the “chaotic good cousin” of beginner reptiles:
Curious ✔
Climby ✔
Ridiculously cute ✔
Easy to feed ✔
More bounce than stress ✔
Put simply:
Crested Geckos are the reptile equivalent of that fun friend who can’t sit still, climbs everything, and makes everyone laugh — but in the sweetest, least stressful way possible.
What They’re Really Like
Let’s keep it real.
Temperament:
Sweet, curious, and occasionally a bit bouncy. Think: gentle soul with springy legs.
Handling:
The reptile equivalent of: “I’ll sit with you for a sec… but I might suddenly hop to that branch over there.”
Care Level:
Beginner-friendly — especially since their food is basically reptile yoghurt you mix with water.
Activity Level:
Great for kids who love watching movement. (They will do parkour. Soft, adorable parkour.)
Lifespan:
10–20 years. A long-term little buddy with big eyes and bigger personality.
Why CRESTED Geckos + Kids = A Power Duo
✔ They’re gentle but entertaining
Expect curious climbing, adorable jumps, and zero chaos-induced heart attacks.
✔ They’re incredibly forgiving
Crested Geckos are the “sweet silly toddlers” of beginner reptiles — soft, friendly, and easy-going.
✔ Their setup is faff-free
A small tall enclosure that won’t hijack your entire house.
✔ No daily bug juggling required
A simple powdered diet = mix with water and you’re done. (Offer bugs if you want… but you don’t have to.)
✔ Watching them is half the fun
They’re amazing for kids who love observing movement and behaviour — and hilarious nighttime antics.
⚠️ Heads Up: They’re Not a Fit for Every Family
We believe in honesty (and avoiding future tears), so:
❗ They are bounce-enabled
Crested Geckos jump. Not far, not dangerously — but enough that sudden movement can surprise young kids.
❗ They need humidity
No misting = no happy Crestie. A quick daily spritz keeps them thriving.
❗ They might eat bugs
You can avoid insects most of the time…but they’ll still appreciate the occasional crunchy treat.
❗ They’re nocturnal
They wake up when your kid is winding down — perfect for quiet-time friends, not so perfect if your child wants action at midday.
Money Talk (Because Parents Deserve the Truth)
Start-up cost:
£200–£350 — depending on the enclosure and décor you choose.
Ongoing cost:
Around £5–£10/week.
Extra stuff to know:
Electricity is low (no heat lamp needed!).
Their powdered food is cheap and lasts ages.
A vet fund is always smart — for any animal.
In the world of reptiles, Crested Geckos are still considered a very budget-friendly option, especially because their setup is simple and their diet is fuss-free.
Care Overview (The Bite-Sized Version)
Heating & Lighting
Room temperature is usually perfect
No heat lamp needed (unless your home drops below 20°C)
Low-level UVB (yes, recommended)
Daily misting to maintain humidity
Simple. Safe. Moist-but-manageable.
Handling
Gentle. Short. Supported.
Great for curious kids — but they do little hops!
“Hand-walking” works brilliantly for them
Kids learn confidence AND respect for small jumpy creatures.
Diet
CGD (Crested Gecko Diet) a few times per week
Optional insect treats (crickets, dubias, etc.)
Calcium + vitamins = still essential
Their food is basically reptile smoothie mix. Easy.
Enclosure Essentials
Vertical tank (they’re climbers!)
Branches + vines
Hides
Plants (live or fake)
Good humidity
Water bowl
Think “mini jungle,” not “flat desert.”
🧠 Mistakes First-Time Gecko Parents EASILY Make
And how you can avoid them like a pro:
❌ Letting humidity drop
A dry Crested Gecko is an unhappy, shedding-struggly Crested Gecko.
❌ Using the wrong enclosure shape
They’re climbers. A flat, low tank = “Why am I on the floor???”
❌ Skipping UVB
They can survive without it… but thrive with it.
❌ Over-handling on day one
New Cresties need time to chill, explore, and realise you’re not a giant predator.
❌ Buying random décor with no climbing space
They don’t want a desert. They want a jungle gym.
Is a CRESTED Gecko the PERFECT Match for Your Child?
Perfect if your child is:
Gentle
Patient
Observant (these geckos are fun to watch)
Interested in animals that climb, leap, and explore
Happy to do simple, calm care like misting the tank
Not desperate for daytime action (Cresties are evening creatures)
Not perfect if they want:
A pet that sits still for long cuddles
A reptile that’s awake and lively at lunchtime
Zero jumpiness (Cresties do cute boings)
Absolutely no bugs ever
A creature they can hold for ages without movement
YOUR NEXT STEPS
YOU DID IT! WELCOME TO TEAM CRESTIE.
You’ve officially survived the crash-course in sticky toes, funky jumps, and “I don’t need heat lamps but I do need humidity that obeys the laws of chaos.” Well done, brave human.
Your future crestie is already plotting which plant to leap onto first.
READY TO LEVEL UP?
If you want to make sure you’ve got everything spot-on — or you’d like some friendly humans to sanity-check your setup — we can help.
📎 DOWNLOAD Free Quick-Reference PDF
A family-friendly ‘get started’ guide.
Includes at-a-glance info, and a handy shopping list with exactly what you’ll need to buy
💬 ScalySidekick VIRTUAL Consultation
Personalised, professional reassurance.
Includes a live video call, custom advice for your home + child, and you can ask all your questions
You’re smashing this. Your future crestie approves (from somewhere behind a leaf).
SCALYSIDEKICK
Your Personal Reptile ADVISORS (Because Google Doesn’t Know Your Child)
Welcome to the one-to-one service that saves parents from guesswork, panic-buying the wrong vivarium, and accidentally turning their living room into a reptile sauna.
If you want an expert to hold your hand without holding your hand (we respect personal space), ScalySidekick is here to make your reptile journey smoother than a freshly shed snakeskin.
We’ll…
Decode exactly which reptile suits your family
Break down the real day-to-day care (minus the sugar-coating)
Help you avoid the classic (and occasionally hilarious) beginner mistakes
Build your customised shopping list so you don’t waste money
Review setups, answer questions, reassure fears
Basically: we stop you from going full “Help, I’ve accidentally bought the wrong UVB bulb again.”
It’s like having a reptile expert in your pocket — except less weird.
MEET YOUR SIDEKICKS
THE DREAM TEAM YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED.
ALLEN — The Reptile ENGINEER
Calm. Unflappable. Probably fixing something right now. If there’s a way to make your setup better, safer, warmer, brighter, or less likely to collapse at 2am — Allen will find it. Also the designated “parent reassurance provider” when husbandry feels overwhelming.
CERRIES — The Reptile Oracle
Makes big decisions feel like no big deal.Cuts through your reptile confusion with the precision of a ninja wielding a UVB bulb. She’ll help you decide which reptile actually fits your family and your sanity level — no sugar-coating, no fluff…just honest guidance.
XANDER — The Blue-Tongued Hood Hobbit
Does he help? Emotionally. Is he qualified? Debatable. Is he adorable? Absolutely. Xander often attends calls by sitting in Allen’s hood (where he pays zero rent), offering silent judgment and the occasional supportive tongue-flick.
(Truthfully, he’s here for vibes only. Do not take husbandry advice from the skink.)