Correlophus ciliatus

Crested Gecko

A row of little scales gives this gecko its eyelash-like outline.

Reference photo, not the individual on display. Credits appear below.

Care commitment Specialist setup

Habitat Branches & cover

Visiting Watch quietly

Meet your new acquaintance

Nickname Eyelash Explorer

Crepuscular and nocturnal; arboreal

The eyelashes are scales, and the tail also helps with climbing. A lost tail does not grow back into its original form.

Species stories

Meeting a supposedly lost gecko again

The crested gecko’s present familiarity contrasts with a long gap in scientific records. The Australian Museum describes it as thought possibly extinct before rediscovery in the mid-1990s.

Missing records are not the same as proven disappearance: place, timing and nocturnal concealment limit surveys. Rediscovery reconnects observations with living animals.

Familiarity in captivity does not settle conditions in the native habitat. The rediscovery begins a continuing story of ecology, reproduction and environmental change rather than finishing it.

Story sources:

Australian Museum · Giant Geckos

At a glance

Crested geckos are native to New Caledonia and use shrubs, branches and foliage mainly around dusk and at night. The eyelash-like edges above the eyes are scales extending back along the head. Toe pads and the gripping part of the tail help them move through vegetation.

Branches form a three-dimensional, sometimes moving network. Toe pads and tail contact support travel, while daytime shelter is part of a dusk-and-night activity pattern.

It cleans lidless eyes with the tongue, uses animal and plant foods and lays eggs. The gripping tail normally does not regrow after loss. These connected features explain its life beyond the familiar large-eyed face.

Common names Crested Gecko; Correlophus ciliatus

Scientific name Correlophus ciliatus

Native rangeNew Caledonia

Adult sizeOften about 18–23 cm total length when the tail is intact

ActivityCrepuscular and nocturnal; arboreal

Diet Use a complete diet formulated for this gecko, prepared as directed, with suitable gut-loaded insects. Plain fruit puree, honey or diluted fruit cannot replace balanced nutrition.

Habitat & care

Provide branches, leafy shelter and ventilation. Allow a drying phase after misting and guard against overheating in warm weather.

Values guide routine care, not breeding or brumation. Dimensions are length × width × height for one adult unless stated otherwise; larger animals need more space.

TemperatureLocal warm area 28–29°C Cool air 21–24°C; night 18–22°C. The warm area must be optional; never hold the whole enclosure near 29°C.

Humidity60–80% Measure mid-enclosure away from mist outlets; let leaves dry between mistings and maintain airflow.

LightingGentle light & shade Provide a light cycle and cover; assess lighting and supplementation together.

Space45×45×90 cm Recommended starting size for one adult; connect foliage and make feeding ledges easy to find.

Look a little closer

Find the eyelash-like scales above the eyes and follow their line along the head. Examine how the toe tips contact a branch. During movement, follow one foot as it releases, reaches and settles again; resting limb positions offer another useful comparison.

Care note: Never pull the tail or startle it; watch for prolonged heat.

About this profile

Size ranges are reference values; sex, origin and age affect appearance.

Profile status: Reference profile · Reviewed 2026-10-20

References (4)

Photo: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Correlophus_ciliatus_33484989.jpg CC BY 4.0 · Original image, credit and licence

Behaviour notes describe the species, not a promise about every individual. These care notes introduce its needs; ask our team about the animal on display and any supervised encounters.