My geckos had a baby!

Seeing that tiny, light brown crested gecko hatchling emerge was truly a moment I'll never forget! I honestly wasn't sure if the egg would make it, so the joy of welcoming this little one was immense. For anyone else who might find themselves with unexpected crested gecko eggs, or who is actively trying to breed, I wanted to share a bit about what I've learned, especially regarding crested gecko eggs incubation. First off, incubation can seem daunting, but it’s mostly about maintaining stable conditions. After my geckos laid an egg, I carefully moved it to an incubator. The ideal temperature for crested gecko egg incubation is typically around 70-75°F (21-24°C). Temperatures in this range tend to produce a good mix of sexes, though cooler temps often favor females and warmer ones males. Humidity is also crucial; I used a substrate like perlite or vermiculite mixed with water, aiming for a high humidity level, around 80-90%. It's important to keep the egg in the same orientation it was laid – avoid rotating it! As for checking on the eggs, many people perform crested gecko egg candling. This involves gently shining a small light (like a penlight) through the egg to see if it's fertile and developing. You might see a 'cheerio' or a small red ring indicating fertility, and later, veins developing. It’s fascinating to watch, but handle the eggs as little as possible. The incubation period for crested gecko eggs can vary quite a bit, usually from 60 to 120 days. Mine hatched closer to the longer end, so patience is definitely a virtue! When you finally have a baby crested gecko hatchling, it’s an incredibly exciting time! The tiny newborn baby crested gecko will often stay in the egg for a short period after pipping (breaking the shell) to absorb the remaining yolk. Once it fully emerges, you'll want to move it to a small, secure enclosure. A plastic shoebox-sized container works well for a single hatchling, lined with paper towels for easy cleaning. Provide a small water dish and mist daily to keep humidity up. Offer a crested gecko diet (CGD) formulated for all life stages. My little hatchling, resting on my hand, was so small I could barely believe it! Watching a crested gecko hatchling grow is a unique experience. They start off so fragile, but with proper care, they quickly become active and curious. While mine is still too young, how to sex crested geckos is something to consider later. Males develop a prominent bulge at the base of their tail as they mature, usually around 6-12 months. For now, I'm just enjoying every moment with my adorable baby crested gecko. This journey, from a simple egg to an active hatchling, has been truly rewarding, and I hope this helps anyone else embarking on their own crested gecko adventure!