Our Beloved Crested Gecko: A Journey from Indifference to Adoration

Our crested gecko has become a beloved member of our family. With its unique appearance, low-maintenance care, and relatively long lifespan, it's an ideal pet for busy people or those who want a reptile experience without the hassle. However, it's not suitable for young children or those looking for a cuddly pet.

We never really took an interest in reptiles. As a child, we were given a turtle, but we don't really remember it. It seemed boring - it just ate grass and bumped its head against the terrarium glass. We'd heard about iguanas and agamids, but their care seemed complicated - special lamps, fresh fruits, live insects. The last one really put us off, as we have entomophobia - we dislike most insects, except for butterflies, beetles, dragonflies, ants, bees, and wasps. Feeding them to our pet was a no-go.

We stumbled upon a short video about a spotted, cute, and eye-catching reptile. What caught our attention was that they don't require special lamps - a heat rock, a humid chamber, hiding places, and a water bowl are enough.

We thought, why not? But no live insects! However, it turns out you can feed reptiles frozen insects. Dead crickets don't bother us - they look like the bees we see at our grandma's beehive in the village. Plus, you don't have to touch them - our crested gecko eats with a pair of tweezers.

We chose to buy our crested gecko from a private seller on a classifieds website. It's not the most reliable option, as you never know what you'll get. We bought the entire setup, including the terrarium, hiding places, a water bowl, a heat rock, a humid chamber, frozen crickets, and a pair of tweezers. The previous owner was moving and needed new owners ASAP.

We got:

The gecko itselfThe terrariumTwo hiding placesA water bowlA heat rockA humid chamber with coconut substrateFrozen cricketsA pair of tweezersCalcium and vitamin supplementsThis starter kit would have cost us 26,000 rubles in a pet store, but we got it for 8,000 rubles on the classifieds.

It's not complicated - change the water in the bowl daily, mist the humid chamber with a spray bottle (it helps with shedding), and clean up after our gecko. We feed it once a week, three times with calcium, once with vitamins, and repeat this cycle every month. We also clean the terrarium and its contents once a month. The heat rock is essential for digesting food.

People who want a pet but are always busy will love our crested gecko. It's a low-maintenance pet that's more for observation than interaction. It has some great advantages:

It's very beautiful - those big, anime-like eyes, the narrow, triangular snout, the delicate fingers, the cute spots, the pink tongue, and the thick tailIt's quiet (our gecko sometimes scratches against the door)It's hypoallergenicEasy to care for, doesn't require much timeNo need for walks or groomingIt's relatively cheap to keepThey can live up to 15 years in captivity

Young children, as they'll want to touch and cuddle it, which can be stressful for the geckoPeople looking for a cuddly, affectionate pet (reptiles aren't for that)

It's a low-maintenance pet, but you won't get the same level of interaction as with traditional pets like dogs or catsThe initial setup can be priceyNot suitable for young childrenIt's hard to find a veterinarian with experience in reptile care

It's been a year since we got our crested gecko, and we're still amazed by it. It's a great pet for people who want something low-maintenance but still beautiful and interesting to watch.

What's the best way to care for a crested gecko?Change the water in the bowl daily, mist the humid chamber with a spray bottle, and clean up after your gecko. Feed it once a week, three times with calcium, once with vitamins, and repeat this cycle every month.

How long do crested geckos live?They can live up to 15 years in captivity.

Are crested geckos suitable for young children?No, they're not suitable for young children, as they'll want to touch and cuddle it, which can be stressful for the gecko.

How much does it cost to keep a crested gecko?The initial setup can be pricey, but the cost of keeping it is relatively low.

Can I find a veterinarian with experience in reptile care?It can be hard to find a veterinarian with experience in reptile care, so it's essential to do your research and find a qualified professional.

Why do crested geckos make great pets?They're low-maintenance, relatively long-lived, and have a unique appearance that's sure to fascinate. They're also hypoallergenic and easy to care for, making them an ideal pet for busy people or those who want a reptile experience without the hassle.