When you get a new pet, you need to know how big it’ll grow to find the ideal living environment for it. This is especially important for crested geckos. When you get a crested gecko, you must understand the best size for its enclosure. Generally, crested geckos remain pretty small throughout their lives.
However, unlike other types of geckos, it won’t grow back if it loses its tail. It should be between 9 and 16 inches long and weigh between 35 and 55 grams or more when fully grown. They tend to not reach their full size until they are between 12 and 24 months, but sometimes it can take up to 3 years.
How Big Is A Baby Crested Gecko?
The size of your crested gecko will depend on a combination of its environment and its genetics. A hatchling will often be between 2.5 and 3 inches long and weigh between 1.5 and 2 grams. When your crested gecko reaches 2 months, it should weigh 3 grams and be between 3 and 4 inches long.
You’re likely to have a larger crested gecko if it has a longer incubation period or if it has large parents. However, having large parents doesn’t guarantee your crested gecko will be large.
How Big Is A Juvenile Crested Gecko?
Crested geckos are classed as a juvenile when they reach 3 months of age. At this point, they weigh roughly 4 grams and are usually between 3 and 5 inches long. They remain a juvenile until they reach 9 months and begin transitioning to adulthood. In the first 3 months of being a juvenile, they usually get a little heavier each month.
For example, a 3-month-old juvenile weighs 4 grams, while a 4-month-old weighs 5 grams. Once they reach 6 months, they should weigh 7 grams and 9 grams at 6 months. They’re usually between 3 and 5 inches at first during the juvenile years. You can expect them to reach between 6 and 9 inches as they grow by their 9th month.
Once they hit 9 months, they start to weigh more. Usually, they weigh between 16 and 35 grams; by the time they’re 12 months, they should be between 35 and 50 grams. You can expect your crested gecko to have a significant growth spurt as they shift to adulthood. Usually, by 12 months, they are between 9 and 16 inches long.
How Big Is An Adult Crested Gecko?
An adult crested gecko usually weighs 35 and 55 grams on average but may weigh more. Some juveniles that transition to adulthood may already reach an average of 9 and 16 inches, the same average length for adults. However, some adults may grow even longer past 16 inches.
Of course, we should add that some crested geckos may not reach this height, as the average heights we’ve included also feature their tails. If a crested gecko has lost its tail, it will be smaller.
What Can Impact A Crested Gecko’s Growth?
As we mentioned before, crested geckos have several factors affecting their growth. Their sizes are determined by genetic and environmental factors. Let’s take a look at why your crested gecko might not be growing as long as others.
Your Crested Gecko Dropped Its Tail
Let’s say your crested gecko is stressed. It will drop its tail when it becomes too stressed, which usually adds 4 or 5 inches to its overall length. Unlike leopard geckos, crested geckos can’t grow their tails back. When your crested gecko loses its tail, it’s gone forever and will always remain a little smaller than others.
Your Enclosure Isn’t Big Enough
It will become stressed if the enclosure isn’t big enough for your crested gecko. When you have a crested gecko, you need to ensure there’s plenty of space for it to climb, jump, and hide. It’s better to have a tall enclosure so your crested gecko will be comfortable.
Temperature
You must ensure your crested gecko’s enclosure is at the correct temperature. Ideally, it should be between 75° and 78°F with the right humidity. Geckos are cold-blooded, so they need the environment to be warm to have energy. If it’s cold, they won’t want to eat, and it will stop them from growing.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Like all creatures, crested geckos need the right food at the right time. Ideally, they should have calcium and protein in their diets to ensure they grow correctly. If they’re not growing, consult your local vet to see what changes you can make to their diet.
Bullying
Is your crested gecko in an enclosure with others? If so, check if it’s being bullied by others. When a crested gecko is being bullied, it may not want to eat or is being prevented from eating by the rest.
Illness
When all the other options don’t make sense, consider checking for anything wrong with your crested gecko with your vet. Sometimes, seeing if your crested gecko is unwell can be difficult. Consult with your vet, and they’ll be able to identify if there’s anything wrong.
Conclusion
Crested geckos can grow to 16 inches or more depending on several factors. We’ve noticed most crested geckos with larger parents will usually grow larger or if they have a longer incubation period. However, they may be smaller if their tails have dropped, as they will lose 4 or 5 inches in length as their tails don’t grow back.
If you want to learn more about geckos and what they need, consider checking out our other articles. We’ll be able to tell you everything you need to know about crested geckos and other lizards and their habitats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your crested gecko should have a tall vivarium, but hatchlings usually benefit from having a smaller enclosure. For adults, we recommend a vivarium that is 45 cm wide, 60 cm tall, and 45 cm long so they have plenty of space to jump and hide.
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