# Crested Gecko (*Correlophus ciliatus*)

> The crested gecko (Correlophus ciliatus) is an eyelash-crested nocturnal gecko of New Caledonia's rainforests, thought extinct until rediscovered in 1994 and now a global pet-trade staple. Adults weigh about 40 g, eat fruit and insects in the canopy, and are listed Vulnerable in the wild while thriving in captivity.

- **Category:** Reptile
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Vulnerable
- **Range:** Rainforests of New Caledonia; extinct in the wild until rediscovery, now common in captivity.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/crested-gecko/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Reptilia
- **Order:** Squamata
- **Family:** Diplodactylidae
- **Genus:** Correlophus

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Correlophus ciliatus |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Habitat | Tropical rainforest canopy |
| Lifespan | Around 15 years in the wild (varies by population and captivity). |
| Weight | About 0.04 kg typical adult mass (sex and region vary). |
| Top speed | Up to roughly 3 km/h when moving at speed. |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable (IUCN) |

## Eyelash crests and prehensile tail

Soft crests run from eyes to tail base like eyelashes. Many captives lack regenerated tails if lost — tails do not regrow fully as in some geckos. Toe pads climb glass; they lack eyelids and lick their eyes clean.

## Fruit-and-insect omnivore

Wild diet mixes soft fruits, nectar, and insects in the canopy. Commercial crested-gecko diets mimic this mix for pets. Across its range it is tied to tropical rainforest canopy, and field accounts emphasise this species’ distinctive ecology rather than generic habitat labels.

## New Caledonia only

Tropical rainforest canopy of New Caledonia. Believed extinct for decades before rediscovery; wild range remains limited. Across its range it is tied to tropical rainforest canopy, and field accounts emphasise this species’ distinctive ecology rather than generic habitat labels.

## Vulnerable wild, abundant pets

IUCN lists wild populations Vulnerable due to tiny range and introduced fire ants or rats. Captive breeding is so successful that pets no longer need wild collection.

## Frequently asked questions

### Were crested geckos extinct?

They were thought extinct until rediscovered in 1994 on New Caledonia.

### Do crested gecko tails grow back?

Unlike many lizards, lost crested-gecko tails do not regenerate fully — tailless pets are common.

### What do crested geckos eat?

Fruit, nectar, and insects — omnivores rather than strict insectivores.

### Why are wild crested geckos Vulnerable?

Restricted New Caledonian range plus invasive species pressures.

### Are pet crested geckos wild-caught?

Most are captive-bred; wild export is restricted.

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/crested-gecko/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.