Clementine 🍊
Crested gecko (Correlophus ciliatus)
Native to New Caledonia, nocturnal, and technically arboreal… though she prefers standing still and judging me instead.
Thrives in humidity, eats fruit mixes and insects, and does not thrive on social interaction.
Living with a crested gecko like Clementine has been an eye-opening experience. These fascinating reptiles are truly unique pets due to their nocturnal and arboreal nature. From my experience, maintaining proper humidity levels in their enclosure is crucial. They thrive best in humidity ranges between 60% and 80%, which helps keep their skin healthy and promotes active behavior at night. Feeding Clementine a varied diet is also essential. While fruit mixes provide important vitamins and hydration, live insects such as crickets or small roaches add necessary protein. It’s important to dust the insects with calcium powder regularly to prevent nutritional deficiencies. One surprising trait of Clementine is her preference for solitude. Unlike more social pets, she does not enjoy interaction and can become stressed if forced to socialise or handled too often. Observing her behaviors from afar, such as the way she perches on branches and seemingly ‘judges’ her surroundings, showed me that respecting her personal space is key to her wellbeing. Interestingly, providing plenty of climbing branches and hiding spots mimics her natural arboreal habitat in New Caledonia. This not only makes her feel secure but encourages natural behaviors that are rewarding to watch. Lastly, since Clementine is nocturnal, most of her activity occurs after sunset. Adjusting your schedule to accommodate her active hours lets you better appreciate her charming quirky personality and nocturnal movements. Overall, owning a crested gecko like Clementine is rewarding for those willing to cater to their specific environmental and dietary needs while respecting their independent nature. It’s a wonderful peek into reptile behavior and care that can enrich any pet lover’s life.
