Crestie Care question

[Kitchen]

Hey fellow lizard lovers!

I have been debating getting a new lizard and have done a lot of research so far. I was just wondering what peoples opinion are on the ease of care for a crestie. Mainly compared to that of a leopard gecko. I have it narrowed down to one of the two and was looking for some peoples personal preferences.

Any input would be very appreciated.

 

[Soul Eater]

Cresties and leos are SUPER easy to care for. Even with 20 cresties, I'm not overwhelmed with the care
Leo's are probably a little simpler just because you don't have to mist every day and such, but I'd say both are around the same level.

With leos though, in my experience, they aren't as holdable. They're not aggressive at all, just some don't like being handled as much. Some cresties are like that as well but you get a lot of those that are cool about being taken out every now and then and will just chill on your shoulder while you're watching tv or something.

Though, that's my experience. Other's may have different opinions. Good luck on your decision!!

 

[Kitchen]

Thanks a lot for your input. I will take what you said into consideration in getting my new reptile.

 

[Soul Eater]

No prob
Hope you post pics when you get him/her

 

[Scarlet.Escapist]

Imho, I think crested geckos are better. I've owned leos before I got in to keeping cresties.

Heating+feeding
Leos require heat and live prey items (which can be an issue for those who hate touching insects). Crested geckos thrive at room temperatures (don't need heat unless temperatures fall below the requirement) and can be fed just on a commercially prepared diet such as CGD or crickets or a combination of blended fruits and such.

Color/morphs
Like leos they come in different morphs and colors.

Enclosure/housing
Their enclosure is more appealing as it can be more naturalistic with tropical plants/foliage. It's not that leopard gecko cages can't look great too but imho its sand and rocks + maybe a few air plants/cacti? I've only really seen a few leo keepers who've taken the time to design great looking leo cages otherwise it's just sand/papertowel and rocks. Imho, I prefer looking at greenery ;D.

Handling
I would say both leos and cresteds have their pros and cons in this area. Some cgs are really calm while others are a spaz. Same goes for leos. Though I think it's easier to handle CG as you can determine when they are about to leap and in what direction. While leos kinda of just run until they're out of your grasp.

I actually really like leos and I really miss mine, but atm I don't have the space to get any D:.

Here is a previous thread with a member asking a similar question...
Best Starter Gecko?

 

[Soul Eater]

Leos require heat

I don't know what to believe about this one anymore... I've been told that you don't /need/ a light or anything and that you can even throw them in a shoe box and they're fine :shock:
A little sad, imo, if you ask me though. I hate thinking bout a gecko in a shoebox as its permanent home...

 

[Scarlet.Escapist]

I don't know what to believe about this one anymore... I've been told that you don't /need/ a light or anything and that you can even throw them in a shoe box and they're fine :shock:
A little sad, imo, if you ask me though. I hate thinking bout a gecko in a shoebox as its permanent home...

Well Imho, regardless of whoever says what I believe they require some form of heat.They're dessert dwellers so temperatures will definitely exceed what our house room temps are. Unless its like.. 30-35 degree Celsius constantly lol. They don't necessarily need light, because people prefer to use heat mats/tape.They need the heat to help them digest their food properly and for other needs.

And the whole shoe box/rubbermaid stuff is... well personal preference, as long as adequate space is provided and other husbandry requirements are met. Most commercial breeders will use the rubbermaid/shoe box type racks but they are heated with heat tape on one end (usually on the bottom near the back).

 

[Soul Eater]

Well Imho, regardless of whoever says what I believe they require some form of heat.They're dessert dwellers so temperatures will definitely exceed what our house room temps are. Unless its like.. 30-35 degree Celsius constantly lol. They don't necessarily need light, because people prefer to use heat mats/tape.They need the heat to help them digest their food properly and for other needs.

I see. I used some sort of heat source for mine and people kept saying "You do have to use it" "You don't have to" "You do" "You dont" and I got sick of it and just left it lol

And the whole shoe box/rubbermaid stuff is... well personal preference, as long as adequate space is provided and other husbandry requirements are met. Most commercial breeders will use the rubbermaid/shoe box type racks but they are heated with heat tape on one end (usually on the bottom near the back).

Yeah, I'm talking bout, just shoebox, thrown in a closet or under the bed... Ta da!!!
If you've got some kind of set up thing for them, providing what they require, then sure, throw them in a good sized box, but otherwise its rediculous and I can't believe the shop owner I talked to said it was ok! He told me a lot of false facts actually :shock:

"Leos are the ones that don't need extra heating! Cresteds do though! The people over at Radical don't know their facts..."
Yeah er... I think you're the one that doesnt know your facts dude :fight:

 

[zohariels]

Hmm, cooler topical habitat vs. hot desert climate- You must need heating for the tropical one right:rofl:

 

[Martinotti Reptiles]

I agree that you can get prettier enclosures with a crestie than with a leo. You can find orchids and pretty tropical plants and go nuts. Looking at something green is more peaceful, personally But you can do nice things with leo enclosures too, no one is forcing you to use really dry looking things. Like this nice enclosure I just found online: http://www.albertabredgeckos.com/Pi...es_Pictures/GiantAlbinos27GallonTerrarium.jpg

Mine used to be really similar, since I have all the exact same decorations from Petsmart. So you can still be creative with your cages to look how you want them too.