Meet Our Animals

New Caledonian Crested Gecko

Rhacodactylus ciliatus

Names and Personal History:
Cresty: Cresty was donated to us by one of our former students who now assists in our Animal Care Internship Program. Cresty is a male and was born in 2007. We have another crested gecko named Stumpy, who was also born in 2007.

Native Habitat:
These geckos are native to the Southern tip of New Caledonia, an island off the east coast of Australia. They were thought to be extinct up until 1994 when a new expedition "rediscovered" them.

Environment:
These geckos live in harsh environments where it is hot and dry for most of the year.

Physical Characteristics:
Crested Geckos are highly variable in color and pattern and can be gray, brown, red, orange, or yellow and can change color and shade depending on mood or temperature. They have a very special tail that has adapted an extra sticky "toe pad" on the end for gripping branches when they climb. The species name "ciliatus" or crested comes from the fringe that runs over their eyes, along their heads and sometimes down the entire length of their back.

Diet:
They primarily eat insects but will supplement this diet by licking squished fruit or nector from flowers.