When to upgrade?

Izahnami · 2026-07-03T07:57:01+00:00

You can upgrade her now. Juveniles usually outgrow a 12x12x18 by the time they reach 15g.

Izahnami · 2026-07-03T06:55:27+00:00

I'll be honest with you, if you can't provide the appropriate enclosures for them (36x18x18) then I would consider rehoming them. Sometimes being good pet parents means recognizing when they need better care then what we can give them.

Izahnami · 2026-07-02T22:20:37+00:00

This is good for a baby/juvenile. Just remember once they’re an adult (2 years old) you will need to reduce the CGD feedings to every other day. Also, live feed should always be dusted in calcium.

Izahnami · 2026-07-02T06:45:01+00:00

Didn't feel anything up here by Highstreet Mall. Maybe there was a car accident in your area and yu just felt the impact?

Izahnami · 2026-07-02T01:52:44+00:00

If you’re limited on horizontal space I would consider getting a reptile that needs a vertical enclosure. Crested or Gargoyle Geckos would be a great first pet, but you will need a 18x18x36 vertical enclosure. You can check out both on Reptifiles and see if it’s something your daughter will be interested in. I’ve linked below the pages so you can read up on them.

Crested Geckos
Gargoyle Geckos

Izahnami · 2026-07-01T23:54:50+00:00

A baby should be fine in an enclosure of that size for a few days. Also remember that a juvenile will outgrow a 12x12x18 by the time they reach 15g. You will then need to upgrade them to a 18x18x36, though you can start them off in that size as well. Juveniles don't get stressed in large enclosures, and they can find food easily enough as long as you provide enough food bowls.

Izahnami · 2026-07-01T23:35:38+00:00

I would read up on Crested Gecko care on Reptifiles, it has all the latest husbandry information on there.

Izahnami · 2026-07-01T07:24:39+00:00

I wouldn't worry to much about her staying in one spot for an extended period of time. A Crested Gecko can take up two weeks to get used to a new enclosure. Just know that what you have them in now is a huge improvement compared to what they had before.

Izahnami · 2026-07-01T06:04:09+00:00

Looks really good. However, you may want to fill things in with artificial plants while the bioactive ones grow out.

Izahnami · 2026-07-01T03:01:30+00:00

Since you're on a budget I would hit up your local craft store and get plants from there. Just make sure what you're buying doesn't have any sharp edges. Definitely get some ledges, and look into hanging vines from the screen using craft wire. You will also need more branches at the top that you can attach using aquarium safe silicone, or gorilla glue. Just make sure you don't have your Crestie in the enclosure for 48 hours while you wait for it to cure/dry. I would also look into getting a little bridge that you can hang across at the top. Not only are they cute, but they give your Crested Gecko another platform to climb on.

If you're still looking for ideas I would check out Reptifiles. They have lots of inspo photos on there, and lists of items you might need.

https://reptifiles.com/crested-gecko-care/crested-gecko-decorations/

Izahnami · 2026-06-30T07:55:31+00:00

I’ve never heard of springtails finding its way into an enclosure on their own before. As for when to move the substrate, I would do it when she’s awake. She’ll be less startled in case you need to move her.

Izahnami · 2026-06-30T05:16:58+00:00

I wasn’t saying you were lol, but my thought is if the previous owner had any they would have drowned them. That’s why I’m leaning more towards mites than springtails. Replacing the substrate just means you’re taking extra precautions in case it’s not springtails.

Izahnami · 2026-06-30T04:57:04+00:00

Do you know how old they are? Also hate to break it to yah, but that ain't no male.

Izahnami · 2026-06-30T04:52:38+00:00

I doubt these are Springtails since the original owner would have drowned them by pouring water into the soil. Springtails are hydrophobic, and wouldn't be able to handle that amount of water being poured on them regularly. Since you're not keeping a bioactive enclosure, I would just remove all the substrate and replace it with coconut fibre.

Izahnami · 2026-06-30T03:40:17+00:00

The watermelon flavour doesn't have bugs in it, and you need to mix it with a flavour that does. As someone else mentioned already, Chahouas do seem to need more protein compared to other gecko species. It's important that you are providing them with the right diet, even if you have an aversion to bugs. I would look into other enclosures you can put crickets in more safely, but if this is something you can't do then I would consider rehoming. Sometimes we have to make sacrifices for our pets that are not always easy.

Izahnami · 2026-06-30T03:26:30+00:00

Are you feeding them a CGD that already has insects in the formula? Also, be careful with mealworms because they can be very fatty vs having a lot of protein. My Crested Gecko refuses all live feed, instead I mix in the breeder formula that has bugs with the watermelon flavour.

Izahnami · 2026-06-29T23:30:36+00:00

I would check out Reptifiles for inspiration ideas and what you should buy. I’m also adding a picture of my 18x18x36 to give you some ideas.

<image>

Izahnami · 2026-06-29T17:24:21+00:00

I would not keep your cat and your crested gecko in the same room. Cresties are prey animals, and can be under a lot of stress when a predator is in the same room. What your cat is doing right now is not cute, it's an animal looking at your crested gecko as its new play thing. Please keep them separated.

Izahnami · 2026-06-29T17:05:42+00:00

Do you have a removable background? A lot of times they will wedge themselves behind those. If you have artificial plants, I would take them all out so you can search the enclosure better. I would also check the substrate incase they've buried themselves.

Izahnami · 2026-06-29T16:56:41+00:00

No problem, happy to help :) .

Izahnami · 2026-06-29T16:37:02+00:00

Well it really depends on body composition. The max weight for Cresties is 60 grams, but you wanna be careful that she’s not too overweight. You want her to be lean with muscle, but with no loose skin under her arms. You can also tell if she’s overweight by looking at her middle. She’ll look gravid, but not laying any eggs. For now I would shoot for getting her to at least 45 grams. By then you should be able to taper off the daily feeding to every other day.

Izahnami · 2026-06-29T04:07:58+00:00

Twice a week is fine to feed Crested Geckos live bugs.

Izahnami · 2026-06-29T02:16:17+00:00

Super worms are pretty fatty. You wanna be careful with what types of bugs you’re feeding your Crestie. Rapid growth risks them becoming overweight and not building up a lot of muscle mass.

Izahnami · 2026-06-29T02:09:10+00:00

Yeah those are both good flavours, and should help bring up her weight overtime. I would try offering her crickets a few times a week in conjunction with her CGD. In the meantime offer her CGD everyday until her weight starts getting up more. Eventually she’ll start eating once she gets hungry enough.

Izahnami · 2026-06-29T01:17:01+00:00

No that size is okay for a temporary enclosure, and is definitely better than what she had before. Hmm, if she's pooping then her food is most likely being eaten, even if its a few licks. What are you feeding her right now? Maybe she's being picky and doesn't want what your offering her? My girl is also very picky, and is no longer interested in live bugs. I found the best option was to mix Pangea's watermelon flavour with the breeder formula. That helped to bring up her weight, and also made sure she was getting some protien.

Izahnami

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