How Much are Crested Geckos? (All Expenses Explained)

When it comes to reptile ownership, Crested Geckos are a remarkable choice. With their vibrant colorations and distinct crests, they have earned their place as one of the most popular reptile pets. But before you get a crested gecko, it’s important to understand the costs involved.

From initial setup expenses to ongoing costs, owning a crested gecko comes with financial responsibilities. By the end of this article, you will have a comprehensive overview of how much Crested Geckos are, their associated expenses, and the factors that can influence these costs.

Crested Gecko Price

In your journey to owning a crested gecko as a pet, your initial investment will be the purchase of the crested gecko itself. There are a multitude of factors that influence the final price you’ll pay for your new scaly companion.

Crested geckos are not one-size-fits-all when it comes to pricing. The cost of these fascinating creatures varies widely, typically ranging from $50 to $500. This considerable range is influenced by several key factors, which include but are not limited to:

Age: Juvenile crested geckos are typically less expensive than their adult counterparts, mainly due to the uncertainty surrounding their final color and pattern.
Morph: Morph refers to the crested gecko’s color and pattern. High-end morphs, such as Lilly White or Super Dalmatian, can command significantly higher prices.
Breeder Reputation: Geckos purchased from reputable, high-quality breeders often come with a higher price tag. These breeders invest significant time, effort, and resources into their breeding programs, ensuring top-notch genetic lines and healthy specimens.

Don’t let the wide price range deter you from pursuing a crested gecko as a pet. The higher-end price points reflect geckos with exceptional morphs or those bred from well-regarded, premium breeders. A lower-cost crested gecko can make an equally delightful pet, especially for first-time owners.

Make your decision based on your personal preferences, commitment level, and budget. As long as you provide them with a suitable habitat and proper care, crested geckos, regardless of their initial cost, can thrive and serve as wonderful companions.

We’ve compiled the following table to give you an idea of the average price for a crested gecko, broken down by these key factors:

Factor	Average Price
Juvenile	$50 – $100
Adult	$100 – $300
Premium Morph	$300 – $500
Reputable Breeder	$200 – $500

Crested Gecko Initial Habitat Setup Cost

Crested geckos are naturally found in the warm, humid rainforests of New Caledonia. As their owner you will need to replicate their natural environment as closely as possible. To do that you will need the following supplies:

Habitat Essentials	Estimated Cost ($)
A Sturdy Enclosure	70-150
UVB Lighting	20-40
Low-wattage Heat Bulb	10-15
Substrate	10-20
Platforms, Hides, Vines, and Branches	30-60
Food and Water Dishes	5-15
Dual Thermometer/Hygrometer	10-20

1. A Sturdy Enclosure

This is the foundation of your gecko’s home. An optimal enclosure provides ample space for your gecko to climb and roam. Crested geckos thrive in enclosures that are taller rather than wider due to their propensity for climbing. Expect to spend around $100-$250 for a quality enclosure, depending on its size and design.

2. UVB Lighting

Contrary to popular belief, crested geckos do benefit from UVB lighting. While they are nocturnal and do not bask in the sun like other reptiles, UVB lighting aids in vitamin D3 synthesis, which in turn assists with calcium absorption. A reliable UVB bulb can cost between $10-$20.

3. Low-wattage Heat Bulb

While crested geckos can comfortably live at room temperature, a low-wattage heat bulb can create a desirable temperature gradient. The ideal gradient is between 72-80 degrees Fahrenheit. A low-wattage heat bulb should cost around $10-$15.

4. Substrate

The right substrate not only contributes to the enclosure’s aesthetics but also plays a significant role in maintaining humidity. A bag of suitable substrate, such as coconut fiber or peat moss, typically costs around $10-$20.

5. Platforms, Hides, Vines, and Branches

Creating a vertical environment with platforms, hides, vines, and branches allows your crested gecko to exhibit natural behaviors. This significantly enhances their quality of life. Depending on the complexity and quality, expect to pay $30-$60 for these items.

6. Food and Water Dishes

While crested geckos can eat right off the walls of their enclosure, dishes help keep the food clean and uncontaminated. Also, a water dish is essential for providing fresh water. A set of quality dishes should cost between $5-$15.

7. Dual Thermometer/Hygrometer

A crucial component in the setup is a thermometer/hygrometer. It enables you to accurately monitor the temperature and humidity in the enclosure, ensuring optimal living conditions for your crested gecko. This typically costs around $10-$20.

How Much Does Crested Gecko Food Cost?

On average, you can expect to spend around $15-$20 per month on crested gecko food, but this can vary based on your gecko’s size, age, and dietary preferences.

To start, you’ll need to purchase both commercial crested gecko food and fresh fruits and vegetables. The initial setup will likely cost between $20-$30. Commercial crested gecko food is the primary component of their diet, and this premade food is typically sold in powdered form that you mix with water before serving. A small bag can last for about a month and usually costs around $10-$15.

For fresh fruits and vegetables, the costs will depend on what’s locally available, but you can estimate roughly $5-$10 per month. Remember, variety is essential for ensuring balanced nutrition, so you’ll want to offer different types of fruits and veggies.

Regular Feeding Costs

As you maintain your crested gecko’s diet, you’ll need to purchase new food each month. Your regular expenses will include:

Commercial crested gecko food: $10-$15 per month
Fresh fruits and vegetables: $5-$10 per month

Again, these costs can vary based on your pet’s specific needs and the local prices for these items.

Occasional Treats and Supplements

While commercial crested gecko food and fresh produce will make up the majority of your pet’s diet, you should also budget for occasional treats and necessary supplements. Insects like crickets, mealworms, or dubia roaches make a great treat and can cost around $5-$10 per month. Calcium and vitamin supplements are also important to maintain your gecko’s health, costing around $10 for a bottle that can last several months.

Yearly Food Cost Overview

To give you a clear picture, here is an approximate breakdown of the yearly food cost for a crested gecko:

Expense Category	Monthly Cost	Yearly Cost
Commercial Food	$10-$15	$120-$180
Fresh Produce	$5-$10	$60-$150
Insects (Treats)	$5-$10	$60-$120
Supplements	–	$10-$20
Total	$20-$30	$250-$500

How Much Do Crested Geckos Cost Per Month?

As a potential or current crested gecko owner, understanding your pet’s monthly expenses is crucial. I’m here to offer an assertive and detailed breakdown of these costs. Let’s delve into this subject.

1. Food Expenses

An integral part of maintaining your gecko’s health is its diet. Crested geckos mainly consume commercial crested gecko diet (CGD), fruits, and insects. The estimated cost for these dietary needs ranges around $15-$20 per month.

Commercial Crested Gecko Diet: High-quality CGD, which costs approximately $10-$15 per month, should be your primary focus.
Fruits: Supplementing your gecko’s diet with fruits like bananas, peaches, or berries adds an extra cost of around $5 – $10 per month.
Insects: Feeding your crested gecko insects such as crickets or dubia roaches twice a week contributes another $5 – $10 to your monthly expenses.

2. Habitat Maintenance

Ensuring your crested gecko’s habitat is clean and suitable for its survival is another crucial aspect to consider. The monthly cost associated with habitat maintenance generally lies between $10-$15.

Substrate Replacement: To maintain cleanliness, you’ll need to replace the substrate in the terrarium every month, which costs about $5.
Cleaning Supplies: Additional cleaning supplies, like terrarium cleaners and paper towels, usually amount to about $5-$10 per month.

3. Utilities

The monthly utility costs mainly revolve around maintaining the right temperature and humidity levels in your crested gecko’s enclosure. Most crested geckos do well at room temperature, so heating and lighting costs are usually minimal.

Electricity for Lighting: If you’re using UVB lighting, the monthly electricity cost should be minimal, roughly around $1-$3.
Humidifier Electricity Cost: If you live in a dry region and are using a humidifier in your creckie’s enclosure, expect a slightly higher utility bill, around an extra $2-$3 per month.

4. Miscellaneous Costs

Other costs include potential vet visits or replacing equipment in your crested gecko’s enclosure. It’s wise to put aside $10-$15 per month for these contingencies.

Total Monthly Cost

When summed up, you should budget approximately $35-$55 per month to care for your crested gecko. Remember, the quality of life and health of your pet should be your top priority. Therefore, make sure you budget for these costs before bringing a crested gecko into your life.

Expenses	Cost
Food Expenses	$15-$20
Habitat Maintenance	$10-$15
Utilities	$3-$6
Miscellaneous	$10-$15
Total	$35-$55

Keeping a crested gecko as a pet is both a joy and responsibility. Being aware of these monthly costs ensures your crested gecko will live a long, happy, and healthy life. Please reach out if you have any other questions related to crested gecko care – I’m always here to help.