|
Common Name:
Crested Gecko
Scientific Name:
Rhacodactylus ciliatus (Guichenot, 1866)
Description:
The total length of a fully-grown adult Crested Gecko is around eight inches. Snout-vent length is in the region of 4.0 - 4.7 inches. The body
is robust with the tail being cylindrical and prehensile. It is reported that, in the wild, the majority of adult specimens have lost their original tail and instead have only a pointed tail stub. Coloration is
highly variable and base color ranges from grey, brown, green and light yellow to a rusty red. In addition, a broad, pale, median stripe or series of spots is sometimes present. However, R. ciliatus has one key, identifying feature that is unique amongst all geckos and which gives it its common name. It has a pair of crests composed of triangular scales that run from above the eyes, down the head and neck and in two, slightly less distinct, parallel lines on the dorsal surface of the body.
Distribution:
This gecko was originally described from specimens supposed to have been collected from Grand Terre, the main island of New Caledonia. It was
subsequently thought to be extinct, not having been seen for over a century when, in 1994, R. ciliatus was rediscovered on the Isle of Pines, which is situated off the southern tip of Grande Terre. The species has since been again found in the south and center of Grande Terre itself.
Natural History:
R. ciliatus is a nocturnal gecko, active from nightfall to the early hours of the morning. It is more often seen after rain. It inhabits warm, humid lowland forest. Both Bauer and Sadlier (2000) and de Vosjoli, Fast and Repashy (2003) state that this species is found at night, climbing quite low down on shrubs, saplings and small trees. However, Seipp and Henkel (2000) describe it as differing from the rest of its genus in that it does not live on tree trunks but on twigs in the canopy. These authors state this phenomenon is probably due to predation pressure from R. leachianus henkeli,
Henkel’s Giant Gecko, which is a species found mainly on tree trunks. Seipp and Henkel also report finding R. ciliatus during the day curled up like a ball amongst twigs.
In the wild both insect prey and
fruit is consumed. Seipp and Henkel state that this gecko “mainly feeds on fruits (as analyses of their excrements clearly demonstrates)”.
Housing in Captivity:
Due to its relatively modest size some authors state that Crested Geckos can be housed in quite small accommodation. Seipp and Henkel
(2000) state that 16 x 20 x 22in (L x B x H) is sufficient for a pair or a group of 1.2 animals. I am firmly in favor of naturalistic enclosures and follow the advice of de Vosjoli and Fast (1999), “…. Crested
Geckos have a daily behavior pattern of hiding during the day at ground level and emerging at night to climb shrubs and other vegetation to feed and socialise. If you want to simulate nature, you will need a tall
vivarium with small trees or shrubs, four to six feet (1.2 – 1.8m) tall”. My own display tank for 1.2 animals is 24 x 20 x 48in (L x B x H) with a screen top to provide good ventilation. The substrate is potting
compost covered with a layer of moss. There are a range of fairly thin branches, both vertical and horizontal, installed together with large pieces of cork bark. I feel that thick planting is important, as it is
certainly true that the geckos will spend their time during the day concealed in these locations. Whilst I use some of the very natural-looking artificial foliage plants available on the market, there is no doubt
that live plants would work well. Ficus benjamina is described by de Vosjoli, Fast and Repashy (2003) as the favorite of R. ciliatus.
I do use an UV light, although this is more to do with enhancing
the appearance of the vivarium than meeting any perceived need of the geckos for UV. This species does not require particularly high temperatures but, as for all geckos, you must provide a temperature gradient. The
range 74ºF - 80ºF works well, with a drop of a few degrees at night. Some authors recommend a winter cooling – down period, for example de Vosjoli and Fast (1999) and de Vosjoli, Fast and Repasy (2003), others such
as Black (2003) do not. My own animals are cooled. It is a good idea to mist the enclosure each evening.
Food and Feeding:
My geckos are fed on black crickets that are placed, in relatively small numbers, loose into the vivarium. These crickets have themselves
been fed with a variety of fresh vegetables to ensure they are well gut-loaded. However, Rhacodactylus geckos do not appear to be big eaters and these crickets often remain at large in the enclosure for some time. Rather than remove them, as an alternative I place insect food such as a few carrot peelings into the tank for the crickets to consume, thus ensuring they remain a worthwhile food source. Crested Geckos love pureed baby food and will take a number of flavors – I use banana. It is very easy to add supplements to these foods. Ground cuttlefish, as a source of calcium, will also be consumed direct from a bowl. There is now a proprietary Crested Gecko food available for sale although I have yet to try it.
Health:
The best course, as always, is prevention rather than cure. However, this is a very hardy gecko if basic rules are followed. You need to quarantine
new purchases, provide the right environmental set-up, do not over-handle (dropped tails will not regenerate), supply the right food and the correct supplementation.
There is one health issue that seems very prevalent indeed in R. ciliatus and that is Floppy – Tail Syndrome. Where this occurs the tail flops to the side or over the back of the gecko when it is resting vertically in a head-down position. There is no cure but it seems that animals are not unduly impacted by the condition. One of my females has had “Floppy-Tail” from the day of purchase some years ago with no obvious ill effects. It is also known that the condition exists in animals in the wild.
Breeding:
It is amazing to think that this gecko was only rediscovered a decade ago. They are now being captive bred in thousands and in a whole variety of
color morphs. They have the reputation as one of the “easiest” geckos to breed.
Males are easy to identify due to their very prominent hemipenal bulges. Females should be provided with an egg-laying container
that needs to be checked regularly. Typically four to six clutches, but often more are laid in the breeding season. Eggs should be removed for incubation on a moist medium of perlite or vermiculite. Incubation time
varies according to temperature. Eggs incubated at 76ºF - 82ºF usually hatch at around 60 days. Some authors state that temperature dependent sex determination does occur, others disagree. Hatchlings are quite easy
to raise and can reach sexual maturity at six to eight months of age.
GGA Rating:
2 – Some Previous Gecko-Keeping Experience Required.
Recommended Reading:
Bauer, A.M. & R.A. Sadlier. 2000. The Herpetofauna of New Caledonia. SSAR, Ithaca, New York, USA 310pp.
Black, A. 2003. Starting a Lizard Breeding Project. Reptiles magazine Vol. 11 No.12 December 2003
De Vosjoli, P. & F. Fast. 1999. Natural History, Captive Husbandry and Breeding of the New Caledonian Crested Gecko Rhacodactylus ciliatus Part 1. Natural History. Vivarium magazine Vol. 10 No. 6
De Vosjoli, P. & F. Fast. 1999. Natural History, Captive Husbandry and Breeding of the New Caledonian Crested Gecko Rhacodactylus ciliatus Part 2. Husbandry and Propagation. Vivarium magazine Vol. 11 No. 1
De Vosjoli, P., F. Fast & A. Repashy. 2003. Rhacodactylus. The Complete Guide to their Selection and Care. Advanced Visions Inc., Vista, California, USA 296pp.
Seipp, R. & F.-W. Henkel. 2000. Rhacodactylus – Biology, Natural History & Husbandry. Edition Chimaira, Franfurt am Main, Germany 173pp.
Carol Withers
|
