Do Crested Geckos Change Colors During Their Life Cycle?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Crested geckos are limited in their ability to change color and can't do this of their own will. However,

they will change their color when they grow up or are exposed to specific environmental triggers

. Another way that causes the color of your to change temporarily is the shed cycle.

Why is my gecko getting darker?

tend to be their brightest color when they are heating up. Also,

if the tank is very humid, or if your leopard gecko spend a lot of time in its hide, it can turn darker

.

Do Baby geckos change color?

As a baby leopard gecko grows, it develops the spots, true to its name. As this happens,

some darkening of the skin is expected

. If your leo is about a year old, this could well be the reason why you are seeing the change in its skin color. If your leopard gecko has bands and is turning darker, don't worry.

Do crested geckos colors flare?

Crested geckos are nocturnal, so when they wake up in the evening, it's their time to shine!

When your crestie awakens, he or she will fire up, which is an intensifying of its skin tones

. This is when your gecko will have the richest variation in pigmentation and color.

Why is my crested gecko turning grey?

Crested geckos, like other reptiles, shed their old skin and replace it with new skin. A few days before the shedding starts, you'll notice that your crestie becomes greyer or even turn pale.

A grey or pale color is normal when your crested gecko is shedding

. So there's no reason to become concerned.

How can I tell if my crested gecko is dehydrated?

  1. Skin that is stretchy, but can no longer return to its normal shape.
  2. Dry, flakey, wrinkled skin.
  3. Skin that does not shed.
  4. Hips or ribs that jut out from the gecko's body.
  5. Sunken eyes.
  6. Wavy tail.
  7. Sticky looking tongue.
  8. A gecko that acts tired and sick.

How can I tell how old my crested gecko is?

Why is my gecko's tail purple?

While shedding is entirely normal, stuck skin is not and can cause a lack of blood flow to the affected area. When the feet or toes don't have blood flow, your gecko will suffer from lack of circulation, causing the black or purple toes, which are a hallmark sign of lack of blood in the area.

Do geckos recognize their owners?

However, like most reptiles, leopard and crested geckos

may recognize their owners by their scents

and not primarily because of emotion or affection.

Why does my gecko look pale?

If your leopard gecko has gone pale in color, it's nothing to worry about; they are

most likely about to shed their skin

. Shedding is a natural process leopard geckos go through as they grow out of their old skin in order to make way for new skin.

Can a gecko change colors?

While gecko's are like chameleons, in that

they can change color

, they do it for different reasons. Geckos try to blend in, not only to avoid predators, but also, to catch prey. Chameleons do it to communicate or convey emotions and result in becoming even more conspicuous.

Why is my crested gecko fired up during the day?

As a general rule, crested geckos tend to fire up when

stressed, happy, or exposed to water

. Many will also change color in response to shifts in daylight, with darker colors appearing to camouflage at night.

What is a Halloween crested gecko?

Halloween-crested geckos are so named because of the bright orange stripes on their black, velvety skin. They're

a native species to the island nation of Indonesia

and are commonly found in tropical forests near water sources.

What is a flame crested gecko?

Flame Crested Geckos are fairly common but are no less beautiful than other morphs. They often have a darker base color with a cream color on their back and head. The flame part of their name comes from

small stripes of creamy coloring that come up their sides, resembling a flame pattern

.

Why is my crested gecko staying in one spot?

Reason 1:

It Is A Completely Normal Behavior

In fact, your crested gecko will establish one or two hiding spots as his favorite. He may choose to sleep there or decide to spend most of his day in that specific hiding spot.

Why is my crested gecko on the ground?

Crested geckos stay on the ground for multiple reasons.

There might not be enough foliage in the enclosure or the humidity can be too low

. Your crested gecko might also be gravid or in the process of shedding. Lastly, the temperature might be too high, which encourages your crested gecko to burrow.

Why does my crested gecko stare at me?


Staring is a totally normal behavior when it comes to leopard geckos

. If you see your gecko doing this, rest assured they will break their gaze eventually. You might even have a little fun with it- walk around the room to see if your reptile follows your steps or hold your finger up and move it around.

Do crested geckos need baths?


No, you shouldn't bathe your Crested Geckos as they hardly need baths

. Maintaining a correct humid environment is enough. By bathing your Crested Gecko, you'll be inflicting stress on it. However, there can be situations when giving a sauna to your Gecko can help, especially when they get overheated.

What does a healthy crested gecko look like?

A healthy crested gecko will be

lively and alert when handled

. It should have a clear ear vent and nose, smooth skin, and adults should have a little heft to them. Sunken eyes and wrinkly skin could be a sign of dehydration, and an extremely lethargic gecko might be sick.

Can you feed dead crickets to a crested gecko?

Hungry crickets will start chewing on your crested gecko and can increase stress levels. Crickets can also spread bacteria and pathogens.

It's recommended to remove leftover and dead crickets when feeding is done.

How old is a 5 inch crested gecko?

Age Weight Body Length with Tail Juvenile (

3 months

) 4 grams 3-5 inches
Juvenile (4 months) 5 grams 4-6 inches Juvenile (5 months) 7 grams 4-6 inches Juvenile (6 months) 9 grams 5-7 inches

How old is a 2 inch crested gecko?

Age Weight Body Length (With Tail) Hatchling 1.5-2 grams 2.5-3” inches
2 months

3 grams 3-4” inches
3 months 4 grams 3-5” inches 4 months 5 grams 4-6” inches

What age is a crested gecko fully grown?

Crested geckos grow at their own rates. Most breeders estimate it takes 1 to 2 years for a baby to become an adult, with the average being around

18 months

. This is not always the case.

Do gargoyle geckos change color?


Every New Caledonian gecko has a range of color that changes based on environment, day/night, temperature, humidity, stress, mate availability, etc

. When a gecko is completely “fired down”, it has the least amount of color it can have.

Why do geckos turn yellow?

Leopard geckos, like humans, require calcium, vitamin D3, and other vitamins.

Calcium deficiency can occur if they don't get enough calcium

, resulting in a deeper yellow coloration on your gecko.

Do geckos toes grow back?

Low humidity, too much heat, and dry air are other reasons why a leopard gecko could lose its toe. And

whenever a leopard gecko loses its toe, it won't grow back

.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.