# Crested Gecko (*Correlophus ciliatus*) The Crested Gecko is a cute lizard with a frilly crest on its head! It loves to jump and glide. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Rainforests - **Also known as:** Eyed Lizard, New Caledonian Gecko ![Crested Gecko](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426658/objects/5707.jpg) ## Appearance The Crested Gecko is recognized by its distinctive fringed crests running over its eyes and down its back. Its large eyes, often with vertical pupils, dominate its face. Colors vary widely, including shades of brown, red, orange, yellow, and cream, often with patterns. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Lepidosauria - **Order:** Squamata - **Family:** Diplodactylidae - **Genus:** Correlophus ## Interesting facts - Crested Geckos can jump impressive distances between branches in the forest! - Crested Geckos were thought extinct for over 100 years, until rediscovered in 1994! - These geckos often eat their own shed skin to recover valuable nutrients! - They can drop their tails to escape danger, but a regenerated tail looks different! ## Special abilities - **Sticky Climber:** Crested Geckos can cling to smooth surfaces like glass thanks to millions of tiny hairs (setae) on their toe pads. - **Prehensile Tail:** Crested Geckos have a gripping tail that helps them balance and hold onto branches while climbing and jumping. - **Eyeball Washer:** Crested Geckos don't have eyelids; they lick their clear eye scales clean with their long tongues. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 10-25 cm - **Weight:** 0.03-0.06 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-20 years - **Speed:** 1 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2 - **Incubation:** 60-120 days ## Diet & Feeding They enjoy a varied diet of fruits and tiny insects found in their forest home. - **Primary Foods:** Insects, Spiders, Nectar, Pollen, Soft Fruits - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [New Caledonian Crow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/new-caledonian-crow) (*Corvus moneduloides*) — Small geckos can be prey for these intelligent birds. - **Eats:** [Field Cricket](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-cricket) (*Gryllus campestris*) — Crested Geckos actively hunt and consume various insects. - **Eats:** [Fruit Fly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/fruit-fly) (*Drosophila melanogaster*) — Tiny fruit flies are a common part of their insect diet. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Crested](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/crested): Crested describes animals possessing a prominent tuft of feathers, hair, or skin on their head. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Gliding](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/gliding): Gliding animals move through the air by launching themselves and maintaining flight with specialized body structures, without flapping wings. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Rainforest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rainforest): This habitat trait refers to species found in tropical rainforests, characterized by high annual rainfall, high biodiversity, and dense tree cover. - [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Crested Gecko? Compare toes, scales, head shape, crests and tail proportions. Many lizards can drop and regrow their tails, so a short tail isn't always a species trait. Lizard Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Crested Gecko? 10-25 cm ### How much does Crested Gecko weigh? 0.03-0.06 kg ### How long does Crested Gecko live? 15-20 years ### How fast can Crested Gecko move? 1 km/h ### What does Crested Gecko eat? They enjoy a varied diet of fruits and tiny insects found in their forest home. ### Where is Crested Gecko usually found? Rainforests ### How does Crested Gecko hunt? Foraging ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Crested Gecko: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/crested-gecko)