Crested Gecko Temperature & Humidity Guide
Last updated: · Reviewed against sources listed below
A crested gecko needs a warmest area of about 75–80°F, a cooler area of 68–75°F and nights of 65–72°F. Humidity should cycle between about 50% and 80%: mist in the evening, then let it dry. Enter your readings in the checker above to see what needs adjusting.
Your readings
| Reading | Yours | Target | Status |
|---|
This is our temperature and humidity checker, preset for crested geckos.
Crested Gecko temperature and humidity chart
| Zone | Target range | How to measure |
|---|---|---|
| Basking spot | 75–80°F24–27°C | Infrared thermometer on the surface |
| Cool side | 68–75°F20–24°C | Digital probe at floor level |
| Night low | 65–72°F18–22°C | Digital probe, after lights out |
| Humidity | 50–80% | Digital hygrometer at animal level |
Temperature range
Crested geckos come from mild, humid forests and are comfortable at normal room temperatures. The top of the enclosure should be a little warmer than the bottom, so your gecko can choose.
| Zone | Target |
|---|---|
| Warmest area (top) | 75–80°F24–27°C |
| Cooler area (bottom) | 68–75°F20–24°C |
| Night | 65–72°F18–22°C |
| Humidity | About 50% by day, rising to 70–80% after misting |
Veterinary guides keep crested geckos between about 72 and 80°F and warn against long periods above 80°F. Some keeper guides allow a small basking spot up to about 82–85°F at the very top, but the rest of the enclosure must stay cooler.
Heat stress: the biggest danger
Crested geckos cannot cope with prolonged heat. Temperatures above about 80°F27°C for long periods cause stress, and higher temperatures can kill. Summer heat waves, direct sunlight through a window, and heaters in winter are the usual causes.
- Keep the enclosure away from windows, heaters and air vents.
- Check the top of the enclosure on hot days, where heat collects.
- In a heat wave, move the enclosure to the coolest room, turn off any heat bulb, and mist lightly.
A gecko that lies flat and limp, gapes with its mouth open, or cannot hold on to surfaces after exposure to heat needs cooling and a reptile vet right away.
The humidity cycle
Crested geckos need humidity that rises and falls each day, not a constantly wet enclosure:
- Mist heavily in the evening, when your gecko wakes up. Humidity should rise to about 70–80% or higher for a few hours, and your gecko will drink droplets from the leaves and glass.
- Let the enclosure dry during the day, back to about 50%. Some keepers let it fall to around 40% before misting again.
- Mist again in the morning only if the air stays very dry.
This cycle gives your gecko water and helps it shed, while preventing mold and respiratory infections. A shallow water dish should also be available at all times.
How to measure
Place a digital thermometer near the top of the enclosure, where heat builds up, and another lower down. A digital hygrometer in the middle shows the humidity cycle. Check readings in the evening after misting and again the next afternoon to see both ends of the range.
Shedding
Crested geckos shed regularly, more often when young, and usually eat their old skin. Good humidity after misting helps the skin come off in one go. Check the toes and tail tip after each shed; stuck skin there can cut off blood flow. If pieces remain, a slightly more humid night usually loosens them.
See a reptile vet if stuck shed stays on the toes or tail for more than a few days, or if your gecko has repeated shedding problems.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature is too hot for a crested gecko?
Long periods above about 80°F can cause heat stress, and higher temperatures can be fatal. Keep the warmest area at about 75–80°F and the rest cooler. On hot days, check the top of the enclosure, move it away from windows, and turn off any heat bulb.
What humidity does a crested gecko need?
Humidity should cycle: about 70–80% or higher for a few hours after evening misting, then down to about 50% during the day. Constant high humidity causes mold and breathing problems, while constantly dry air causes shedding trouble. A digital hygrometer shows whether you have the cycle right.
Sources
- PetMD — Crested Gecko Care Sheet (written and reviewed by veterinarians)
- Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic — Crested Gecko Care Guide
- ReptiFiles — Crested Gecko Temperatures & Humidity
- Pangea Reptile — Crested Gecko Care
- Baines F. et al. (2016). How much UV-B does my reptile need? The UV-Tool, a guide to the selection of UV lighting for reptiles and amphibians in captivity. Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 4(1): 42–63
Where sources disagree we show the range they share. See our sources and methodology for how every number is checked.