Meet the Crested Gecko—the perfect artist’s subject.
I love to draw these fascinating little reptiles, they truly make me smile and I adore my little Crested Gecko ‘Jerry Gek” who is the subject of one of my Crested Gecko drawings.
This is the first in a series where I delve behind the drawing to bring you some fun facts about my reptile subjects and bring them to life.
Here are 10 fun Crested Gecko Facts
1. Crested Geckos were once thought to be extinct
For decades, scientists couldn’t find a single crestie in the wild, they had been described in 1866 but then nothing—until 1994, when they suddenly reappeared during a tropical storm in New Caledonia, an island around 900 miles east of Australia. Their comeback story is legendary in the reptile world.
2. They lick their eyes instead of blinking and they have ‘eyelashes’
Crested geckos have no eyelids, so they use their tongue to clean and moisten their eyes. It’s a little weird but quite endearing.
Their ‘eyelashes’ are soft crests running from their eyes to their tail and give them their nickname: eyelash geckos. Framing those large eyes, their pretend eyelashes give them a unique look that melts the heart.
3. They can drop their tails… but they don’t grow back
If scared, cresties can drop their tail, but unlike many lizards, it does not regenerate. Fortunately, they do just fine without it! Depending on how skittish the gecko is, it can get through it’s whole life unfazed and with tail intact or drop it just by being startled by a sneeze….or by someone just breathing too loudly!!!
Crested gecko’s who have dropped their tails are affectionally known as ‘Frog Butts’
4. They can climb smooth surfaces like Spider-Man
Thanks to microscopic toe hairs called setae, they can walk up walls, windows, and anything else you thought was escape-proof. It’s amazing to see the base of their feet when they climb up glass.
5. They don’t need insects (but they love them)
Crestie pets thrive on specially formulated fruit-based diets, but some do like some extra insects. In the wild they live on a diet of 50% insects and 50% fruit and nectar. I mostly feed Jerry on a fully formulated crested gecko powder mixed with water and he loves it. He does however like the odd mealworm or cricket and grabs them from my tongs like a velociraptor!
6. Crested geckos are perfect for beginners
They tolerate handling once trust has been built up, are easy to feed, and don’t need extreme heating—making them one of the best reptiles for new keepers.
7. They’re crepuscular party animals
As soon as the lights go down, crested geckos get busy exploring, climbing, and performing evening zoomies. They are most active at dawn and dusk.
8. Their tails act like extra hands (if they still have one)
The prehensile tail helps them balance and navigate, but even without it, they remain expert climbers.
9. They are incredible jumpers
These little lizards can launch themselves with surprising distance and accuracy, something to beware of when handling for the first time! Over time however, most cresties become comfortable with gentle, consistent handling but many still take joy in launching themselves randomly like crazy base jumpers.
10. Crested geckos can live 15–20 years
These adorable weirdos are long-term companions. With proper care, they’ll be part of your family for nearly two decades.
Between their goofy personalities, low maintenance needs, and striking looks, there’s no doubt that crested geckos are a top choice for new and experienced reptile keepers alike. Their charm is impossible to resist—and their quirks make them unforgettable.
