Lighting

Crested geckos do not need special lighting to be healthy, but they do need a steady day and night rhythm of about 10 to 12 hours of light and 12 to 14 hours of darkness. Room light from a window or a ceiling lamp is often enough.

These geckos are nocturnal, so bright, direct light stresses them. Always give them plenty of shade and foliage so they can choose where to rest.

UVB is optional. Many keepers raise healthy geckos without it, since complete gecko diets include vitamin D3. Some keepers add a low-output UVB tube because it may support natural behavior and bone health. If you use one:

• Choose a low-output fixture made for shaded, forest-dwelling reptiles
• Cover only part of the enclosure so the gecko can step out of the light
• Place it on a timer for the same 10 to 12 hours every day
• Replace the bulb on the manufacturer's schedule, since output fades

Avoid heat lamps, bright white LEDs aimed into the enclosure, and colored night bulbs. Colored bulbs disrupt the sleep cycle and many add unwanted heat. Complete darkness at night is best.

Live plants need more light than your gecko does. If you keep a planted enclosure, use a plant-friendly LED placed on a timer, and make sure there are shaded areas the gecko can retreat to.