Crested geckos are a unique and fascinating lizard species that have become increasingly popular as pets. Their docile nature, relatively small size, and minimal care requirements make them an attractive option for reptile enthusiasts. However, some may wonder – with their growing popularity, are crested geckos becoming rare in the wild?
Overview of Crested Geckos
Crested geckos (Correlophus ciliatus) are native to the southern islands of New Caledonia in the southwest Pacific. They are arboreal geckos, meaning they live in trees and thrive in tropical, forested habitats.
Some key facts about crested geckos:
– They grow to about 8-10 inches in length. Males tend to be slightly larger than females.
– Lifespan is approximately 15-20 years in captivity.
– Nocturnal species that is active at night.
– Has interesting eyelids that are fused together to form a “shield” that protects their eyes.
– Named for the spiny crests above their eyes.
– Color variations include red, orange, yellow, gray, brown and white. Patterns may be spotted, striped, banded or solid.
– Can voluntarily drop their tails if threatened. The tail will regrow over time, though it may look different than the original.
– Feed on fruits, insects and nectar in the wild. Eat prepared diets and supplements in captivity.
– Have specialized toe pads that allow them to easily climb and cling to surfaces.
So in summary, crested geckos are charismatic, uniquely patterned lizards that make appealing display pets. But are they becoming rare in nature due to their popularity in captivity?
Discovery and Captive Breeding
Crested geckos were thought to be extinct in the wild until they were rediscovered in 1994 in a small area of New Caledonia. This sparked interest in the species and efforts to establish captive breeding programs.
In 1996, the first crested geckos were exported from New Caledonia to the United States. From this original group, private breeders focused on establishing and expanding captive populations. They proved to be prolific breeders, and the numbers in captivity grew rapidly.
Now, nearly all crested geckos kept as pets are captive bred. Thousands are produced each year by breeders around the world. The demand continues to grow, fueled by their suitability as pets, range of color patterns, and relatively low cost compared to other reptiles.
This brings up an important point – most crested geckos today are so highly domesticated that they likely could not survive if returned to the wild in New Caledonia. The captive population is self-sustaining and no longer relies on wild specimens for propagation or to maintain genetic health.
Wild Population Status
So what about crested gecko numbers in their native habitat? Are wild populations declining due to the pet trade?
The IUCN Red List currently classifies crested geckos as Vulnerable. Several factors explain their vulnerable status:
– Restricted to only several small islands in southern New Caledonia. This inherently limits population size and range.
– Forest habitats have declined due to agriculture, grazing, invasive species and mining practices. This has reduced suitable gecko habitat.
– Predation by introduced species like rats likely threatens native crested geckos.
– Illegal collection for the pet trade does occur at low levels despite legal protection. This harvests animals directly from the fragmented wild populations.
Comprehensive surveys to estimate total wild population size have not been conducted. But researchers believe New Caledonia may be home to only a few isolated breeding populations. The total number of individuals left in nature is uncertain but seems low.
This tells us that wild crested geckos are indeed vulnerable. But the pet trade does not seem to be the primary driver of their precarious status. Habitat loss and invasive threats within their limited natural range appear to pose the greatest risk.
Most experts agree that no additional removal of wild crested geckos for the pet industry is advisable. The captive population is flourishing, while the outlook for wild populations is uncertain at best. Conservation of remaining natural habitat has become a priority.
| Year | Status |
|---|---|
| 1994 | Rediscovered in the wild after thought extinct |
| 1996 | First exported to the United States for captive breeding |
| 2000s | Captive breeding establishes large, self-sustaining populations |
| 2000s-present | Wild populations remain restricted and vulnerable |
Captive vs. Wild Populations
Crested geckos highlight an interesting dynamic that occurs with some species involved in the pet trade. In cases where captive breeding is successful, they can become “ex-situ insurance populations” for species that are declining in their natural habitats.
Wild crested geckos are vulnerable and perhaps vanishing. But crested geckos as a species are thriving because of responsible captive propagation.
This concept is summarized in the table below:
| Captive Populations | Wild Populations |
|---|---|
|
|
This shows that crested geckos are quite rare in the wild. But on a species level, their outlook remains positive due to success in captivity.
Are Captive or Wild-Caught Better?
An important question that often arises is whether captive bred or wild-caught animals make better pets. There are pros and cons to each:
Captive bred:
- No harm done to wild populations
- Animals well-acclimated to captivity
- No risk of introducing parasites or diseases
- Often well-socialized with humans
- May have wider selection of color morphs
Wild-caught:
- More genetically diverse
- Natural behaviors intact
- Avoid problems associated with continuous captive breeding
- Can be hardier but stress of captivity
For crested geckos, captive bred is certainly the better choice. Wild populations are so limited that any commercial trade could be devastating. Captive bred crested geckos are also well-adjusted to thrive as pets.
Private owners harvesting wild crested geckos themselves would also be unwise. Regulations protect them in New Caledonia, and these efforts should be respected. Captive breeding already produces enough to meet demand.
How Much Do Crested Geckos Cost?
Crested gecko prices give us another indication of how readily available they are in the pet trade. With so much captive breeding, crested geckos are one of the most affordable and accessible reptile pets on the market.
Some average price ranges:
| Crested Gecko | Average Price Range |
|---|---|
| Normal morph | $50 – $100 |
| Rare/High color morph | $150 – $350+ |
| Adult breeding pair | $250 – $500+ |
So normal color crested geckos can often be found for less than $100. Compare this to the high prices of some other pet reptiles:
– Leopard geckos: $50 – $150
– Bearded dragons: $75 – $250
– Ball pythons: $100 – $200
– Chameleons: $200 – $500
Crested geckos are so abundantly captive bred that prices remain relatively low across the reptile pet market. Availability and cost make them one of the top beginner choices for reptile enthusiasts.
Are Any Other Gecko Species Threatened?
While crested geckos are not considered globally threatened as a species due to their captive populations, other geckos are at risk. Two examples:
Leopard Gecko
Native to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. Classified as Near Threatened due to wild population declines from habitat loss and overcollection for the pet trade. There is some captive breeding but limited compared to demand. Most leopard geckos in the pet trade are still wild-caught.
Day Gecko
This term encompasses over 100 species of small, diurnal geckos from Madagascar. Many are brightly colored and popular in the pet trade. Wild populations of several day gecko species are decreasing and threatened by habitat destruction. There is not enough captive breeding to supply demand. More sustainable collection practices are needed.
These are examples of geckos that may become rare globally from a combination of habitat loss and unsustainable collection from nature for the pet industry. For these species, captive breeding programs and conservation in native habitats are important.
Conclusion
To summarize key points:
– Crested geckos are considered Vulnerable in the wild, with small and fragmented remaining populations in New Caledonia.
– Habitat destruction and invasive species are the major threats. Collection for the illegal pet trade has some impact.
– Captive breeding populations are abundant and self-sustaining, numbering in the thousands produced each year.
– Virtually all crested geckos sold today are captive bred, not wild caught.
– Their success in captivity makes crested geckos inexpensive and readily available as pets.
So in conclusion – crested geckos are rare in the wild but are thriving in captivity. As long as remaining New Caledonia habitats can be protected, crested geckos as a whole are in no danger of vanishing thanks to responsible captive propagation meeting the demand of the pet trade.
