# About the crested gecko

_Permalink: https://geckinspect.com/CareGuide/species-background_

Crested geckos (Correlophus ciliatus, formerly Rhacodactylus ciliatus) are a medium-sized arboreal gecko native to a small range of humid forests in southern New Caledonia. They were thought extinct for most of the 20th century until a 1994 rediscovery, and now form one of the most successful reptile hobbies in the world.

They are beginner-friendly because they tolerate room temperatures, eat a shelf-stable powdered diet, do not require UVB for long-term survival, and breed reliably in captivity. Adults top out around 35 to 60 grams and live 15 to 20 years with good husbandry.

**Why the crest?**

- The eyelash-like crest running from eye to tail-base is the species signature trait and the reason for both the common name and the species epithet "ciliatus" (Latin: "eyelashed").
- The structure of the crest is heritable and has been amplified through selective breeding, soft-scale, white-wall, and super-crest lines all modify it.

_Source: Geck Inspect Care Guide. Updated 2026-10-18. Cite https://geckinspect.com/CareGuide/species-background_