Crested geckos were thought to be an extinct species until 1994 when they were rediscovered. Since then, these animals have continually increased in popularity. One of the most popular morphs is the pinstripe crested gecko. They are somewhat low-maintenance pets and don’t require a lot of time or attention. With their fringed crests on their head and alert personalities, crested geckos are an exciting potential pet.

Quick Facts about Pinstripe Crested Geckos

Do Pinstripe Crested Geckos Make Good Pets?

Pinstripe crested geckos make excellent pets for owners who don’t have a ton of time to dedicate to an animal. They climb and jump to entertain you while still be docile enough to be handled from time to time. Their setup is crucial to their success, and aside from maintaining their tank, they don’t ask too much of their owners.

Appearance

The pinstripe crested gecko is considered to have a single, identifiable trait as opposed to a group of characteristics like in most morphs. Their standout feature is the raised crests that run from behind their eyes and along each side of their dorsal. Most pinstripe geckos are of the flames or harlequin morphs. Most have orange, cream, yellow, and brown coloring.

How to Take Care of Pinstripe Crested Geckos

Habitat, Tank Conditions & Setup

Tank

The minimum size tank for a pinstripe crested gecko is a 20-gallon terrarium with tall walls since they enjoy climbing vertically. They are active, arboreal animals and enjoy having some branches and greenery to climb. Keep male geckos in individual tanks since they’re territorial. Screened enclosures are great for ventilation, but if you prefer glass, make sure the top or one side has a screen.

Remove all uneaten food at the end of the day and spot clean to remove any feces. Do a deep cleaning once per month with a disinfectant safe for reptiles.

Lighting

Pinstripe crested geckos are nocturnal and don’t require special UVB lighting like most reptiles, but they do benefit from a low level if you prefer. Remember that additional lighting increases the temperature inside the enclosure.

Heating (Temperature & Humidity)

Reptiles are cold-blooded, and these geckos require temperatures between 72°F and 80°F during the day and 65°F and 75°F at night. Monitor temperatures to keep the tank from overheating.

Crested geckos enjoy having medium to high humidity levels. Try to keep the humidity around 60% during the day and 80% at night. Monitor these levels with a humidity gauge and regularly mist inside the enclosure with warm water.

Substrate

Always consider pet safety before picking out substrate for a gecko enclosure. The ideal substrates for pinstripe crested geckos are coconut fiber, moss, or peat.

Feeding Your Pinstripe Crested Gecko

Pinstripe crested geckos feed at night. Young reptiles eat daily, and adults eat up to three times per week. Their omnivorous diets are well-rounded. Feed them crickets, roaches, waxworms, silkworms, bananas, peaches, apricots, or other insects and fruits. Do not feed them mealworms since their hard exoskeleton is difficult to digest.

Keeping Your Pinstripe Crested Gecko Healthy

There are a few health problems that could arise during your crested gecko’s lifetime. Keep up on cage maintenance and maintain their light, temperature, and humidity levels to keep them in a healthy environment.

Common Health Issues

Mouth rot, respiratory infections, and skin issues could all be some problems that arise while you have a gecko as a pet. Keep their enclosures clean, remove uneaten food every day, and help them out when they have difficulty shedding to keep these issues to a minimum.

Lifespan

The average lifespan of the pinstripe crested gecko in captivity is 10 to 15 years. They could live up to 20 years with a lot of care. These reptiles are a time commitment, but their minimal maintenance makes it seem more manageable.

Are Pinstripe Crested Geckos Friendly? Our Handling Advice

Most pinstripe crested geckos have mild temperaments. They are sometimes a little skittish and you have to move slowly when handling them. However, avoid touching them if possible because they could try to jump away and injure themselves in the process. They only bite people when they feel threatened, but it isn’t dangerous or painful.

Shedding: What to Expect

Pinstripe crested geckos shed their skin and consume it during the process. It starts by licking off the skin that has begun peeling from its snout and rubbing the rest off of its body. Young geckos shed more often than mature ones since they are growing more quickly. Humidity is crucial for an easy shedding process. Check your gecko after it sheds to ensure it all comes off. If it won’t come off, soak the gecko in shallow water for 30 minutes and remove excess skin with tweezers.

Care Guide Summary

Pinstripe Crested Gecko Pros

• Low-maintenance
• Active and fun to watch
• Docile temperament

Pinstripe Crested Gecko Cons

• Males must be housed individually
• Skittish
• Don’t enjoy being handled

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a reptile that you don’t have to fuss with too much, then the pinstripe crested gecko is an excellent option. Aside from spot cleaning and removing old food after feedings, there isn’t too much work that goes into caring for these small reptiles. Their active personalities provide you with a fun pet to have without the dedication it takes to care for more common types of pets.

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Featured Image Credit: Eaknarong Nonthapha, Shutterstock