We all are fans of colorfully patterned tiny geckos, and this unique attribute has made them our favorite pets. But variegated colors is not the only thing that makes them elegant; Lilly white crested gecko, though simple in appearance, with its white-cream color, still stands out among these multitudes of hues.
They are easy to handle, need minimal care requirements and less attention. They are skilled jumpers with excellent grip, thanks to their toe pads and prehensile tails. They make exceptional pets, but like Leopard geckos, these geckos also do not like to be held much. It is better to avoid handling them too much as it makes them stressed.
From diet to lifespan, this blog contains everything you need to know.
Lilly White Crested Gecko
Lilly White Crested Gecko Features
Common Name: Lilly White Crested Gecko
Specie Name: Correlophus Ciliatus
Size: 6 – 8 inches
Lifespan: 5 – 10 years
Diet: Fruit, insect, and commercial food
Care level: Low
Tank size: Minimum 10 gallon
Temperature: 70° – 80° Temperature
Origin of Lilly White Crested Gecko
They were named “Lilly White” by the breeder Nick Lumb of Lilly Exotics. Nick noticed a different trait when a unique colored gecko hatched out from an egg in 2010, which was kept for the breeding project.
A couple of years later, when bred with other multiple females, it was observed that the color is a co-dominant trait in geckos and is passed on to some offspring. The fascinating fact about geckos is when two Lilly whites are bred together, they produce offspring which are all white, having color as a dominant trait.
But such morphs, sadly, do not live, and none has ever survived.
Lilly White Crested Gecko Appearance
Lilly White Crested geckos have a white or cream-colored body with silver eyes and toe pads that helps them walk on uneven surfaces without slipping or falling. Some Lilly Whites have brown or orange markings at the spine and down the body.
They are also referred to as Eyelash geckos due to the projections above the eyes that look like eyelashes. They lack eyelids and have transparent scale or spectacle to the eyeballs. They use their long tongue to moisten their eyes and remove debris.
Do Lilly White Crested Geckos Make Good Pets?
These tiny white creatures make excellent pets for many reasons and are indeed everyone`s favorite.
They are quite tame reptiles and docile but do not like to be handled. Too much handling can cause them stress, and as a result, they may try to escape your grip and injure themselves. Crested geckos, such as Dalmatian Crested, Baby Crested, or Harlequin Crested, are now one of the widely-picked lizard pets in the world and make good pets, especially for beginners.
But note that they should be handled with utmost care and patience.
Lilly White Crested Geckos Size Chart
Age | Weight | Size |
1 month | 2 grams | 2 – 3 inches |
5 months | 9 grams | 4 – 6 inches |
1 year | 15 – 35 grams | 6 – 8 inches |
Adult (15 – 18 months) | 35+ grams | 8 inches |
Lilly White Crested Gecko Care Guide
1. Lilly White Crested Gecko Habitat
A tall tank of about 10 gallons is mandatory for an adult gecko. Ideally, you should place a 20 gallons tank to provide enough space. Lilly whites are semi-arboreal—they often inhabit trees and bushes and love jumping or climbing. A small but high vivarium of glass with proper ventilation is recommended for them. Place some branches, plants, or ornaments for geckos to climb, hide, or jump.
Clean the tank every day and remove all the unnecessary items, such as feces, uneaten food, etc. Thorough cleaning should be done only once a month.
2. Lilly White Crested Gecko Temperature Requirement
Crested geckos are most comfortable at room temperature. An ideal temperature for Lilly whites is 74°F. However, the optimum temperature ranges from 68° – 77° F. Too much hot or cold environment is not good for geckos and can be fatal for them if the limit exceeds or falls behind the recommended range.
3. Lilly White Crested Gecko Humidity Range
About 60 – 80% humidity needs to be maintained in the tank set up for your Lilly gecko. Humidity lower than 50% can cause dehydration or shedding, or higher than 80% can create other health issues in Crested geckos. Mist the enclosures with filtered water once or twice a day to maintain humidity.
4. Lighting Setup
Crested geckos are nocturnal reptiles—they are active at night and sleep throughout the day. They do not need any UVB light, but some owners enjoy providing lighting. Keep in mind that it should be around 3 – 5% UVB only.
Do not place the vivarium in the sunlight! Direct exposure to sunlight may heat the vivarium fast and cause heat-stroke in your pet.
5. Substrate
For a substrate, orchid bark, cypress mulch, sphagnum moss, or coconut husk is a perfect choice. Similarly, you can also choose wet paper towels—an economical, clean, and effective alternative. Reptile carpets are also a good choice, but they need to be cleaned every week and replaced monthly to maintain good hygiene.
How Much Lilly White Crested Gecko Cost?
A healthy Lilly White Crested gecko might cost you between $500 and $1000. This is in addition to other necessary items, such as vivarium, food, supplements, UVB light, and substrate. The cost depends on many factors such as age, gender, morph, etc.
Does Lilly White Crested Gecko shed?
Crested geckos shed their skin regularly as their skin grows like all lizards. They often eat the shed skin, which makes you think that your gecko never sheds. Adult geckos shed once a month, while young geckos shed more often than mature ones.
Do not handle your pet while they shed. They may also eat less or stop eating while shedding.
Like Leopard geckos, Crested geckos too lose their tails when faced with a threat. In geckos, the tail drop is a defense mechanism to distract predators from following them.
Lilly White Crested Gecko Diet
Like other Crested geckos, Lilly Whites are also omnivores and feed on a variety of insects, plants, and other small animals. Dust the insects with powdered calcium supplements containing vitamin D3 before feeding them to your gecko.
Also, keep in mind that the insects must be smaller than the space between the gecko`s eyes. Make sure that your pet is eating in a suitable amount and remove the leftovers immediately when your gecko is done eating.
Unlike Leopard geckos, they also feed on mashed fruits including, mangoes, peaches, pears, and bananas.
Here is the Lilly White Crested gecko’s diet chart.
Diet | Intake Percentage |
Fruits | 25% of the diet |
Insects | 75% of the diet |
Supplements | Calcium / Vitamin D3 |
Meat | 0% |
Lilly White Crested Gecko Breeding
Lilly Whites are prolific breeders, and placing a male and female gecko together is all they need to start breeding. Decreasing the preferred optimal temperature also encourages breeding.
A nest box with four layers of the moist substrate is required for breeding. Male Lilly White geckos get sexually mature at nine months, while females at 12 months. A healthy female can lay eggs as frequently as every month. It takes 60 – 90 days for an egg to hatch. This period may increase in winters.
Pros and Cons of Keeping a Lilly White Crested Gecko
What’s Best About Them
Due to their lighter bodies, it makes it easier to spot them in a terrarium or vivarium.
Another benefit of keeping Crested geckos is their diet. They can eat various foods, including commercial food, which is easily available in pet stores.
They are easy to breed as compared to other pet lizards.
Drawbacks of Keeping Them
The Lilly Whites do not like to be handled. It can cause stress, and as a result, they may injure themselves.
Crested geckos are quite expensive as compared to other geckos.
Common Health Issues in Lilly Whites Crested Geckos
The topmost priority of every pet keeper is the health of their pet. A balanced diet and a hygienic environment are the keys to a healthy life. Maintain optimal temperature, humidity, good enclosure, and required lighting and substrate for your gecko to be healthy.
However, if you notice any strange behavior, it is better to consult a herpetologist immediately. A few common health issues in Crested geckos are:
Respiratory Infection
Stress, improper diet, temperature change, humidity levels, or a dirty environment can often impact the immunity of Crested geckos, leading to respiratory infection and their disorders. Noises similar to wheezing or coughing or difficulty in breathing indicate that your pet has a respiratory infection.
Stomatitis
Stomatitis is a term used for mouth rot. It causes redness around the mouth and may cause excess mucus. A course of antibiotics or cleaning your reptile`s mouth with antiseptic proves to be efficient in stomatitis.
Skin Infections
Parasites are common in geckos, but a healthy crested gecko is rarely affected by a parasite. Low humidity and inadequate temperature may cause difficulty in shedding, and high humidity can cause bacterial infections in the skin. Abnormal appearing stool, poor appetite, or diarrhea indicates skin infection.
How to Keep Lilly White Crested Gecko Happy?
Crested geckos are tame but can be scared when touched. They do not like to be handled, as it causes them stress. If your gecko dislikes handling, avoid it as much as possible. Try to keep minimal physical contact with your gecko; limit it only to 5 minutes a day. Handle them with care and patience.
Crested Gecko loves to jump or climb. Place branches and fun ornaments in their habitat. Try not to add too much decor because it will reduce the space for the gecko to jump around.
Final Words
Lilly White Crested gecko is a cream-colored reptile with orange or brown markings. They are tame and docile and make excellent pets but do not like to be handled. Most geckos live up to 5 years, and if you care for them properly, they can live beyond 5 years!