Eyelash Gecko (Correlophus ciliatus)

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🧬 Appearance and Characteristics

📏 Size: Adults grow to approximately 20–25cm including the tail.

🐾 Body: Cilia geckos have an arboreal (tree) body structure with a slightly flattened body and lamellae on the toes, which allow them to climb even on smooth surfaces - thanks to microscopic hairs on the soles (setae).

👁️ Eyes: They have large nocturnal eyes without eyelids; they clean their eyes with their tongues, as they do not have movable eyelids.

🌿 Eyelashes: The name "ciliated" comes from the characteristic crests (crests) above the eyes and along the back, which give it a distinctive appearance and resemble eyelashes.

🍃 Color and morphs: Although in the wild they have predominantly earthy colors (brownish, gray), in captivity there are an incredible number of color combinations and patterns created by selective breeding.

🌍 Origin and habitat

The ciliated gecko lives in the treetops of the tropical forests of New Caledonia, where it has an ideal environment with high humidity and plenty of hiding places among the leaves and branches. It is a nocturnal and arboreal animal form that rests during the day and is active at night.

🧠 Nature and behavior

🌒 Nocturnal/crepuscular type: It is most active after dusk and at night, when it moves, looks for food and explores its surroundings.

🪵 Arboral: It likes to climb and use vertical space, which is why a terrarium oriented towards height is important.

🤝 Nature: Generally peaceful and relatively calm reptile. It is not a classic "pet", but with regular slow handling and respect for the animal, it can get used to contact with humans.

🦎 Tail: Geckos can drop their tail as a defense mechanism - when stressed or fleeing. However, this tail does not grow back.

🏡 Terrarium and environment requirements
📐 Terrarium size and equipment

🪟 A glass terrarium with dimensions ideally 45×45×60cm (width × depth × height) for one adult individual, with height being important for climbing.

🪵 Vertical decorations: branches, vines, plants (live or artificial) for natural climbing and hiding places.

🧱 Substrate: coconut fiber, coconut soil mix, sphagnum moss or other natural substrates that help retain moisture.

🌡️ Temperature and humidity

🌞 Temperature: It is often recommended to maintain around 22–26°C during the day, while excessive exposure to heat above ~28°C can be stressful or harmful.

💧 Humidity: Around 60–85%, so misting the terrarium daily is recommended to maintain the right humidity for healthy molting and hydration.

☀️ Lighting: UVB lighting is not necessary for basic life, however, weak UVB can be beneficial for calcium metabolism and overall health.

🍽️ Feeding and nutrition
🍏 Main food

Complete gecko diet mixes (e.g. Repashy, Pangea) form the basis: a sweet fruit/soup formula, balanced for nutrients and vitamins.

🦗 Live insects as a supplement

Crickets, small cockroaches (e.g. Dubia), worms that are gut-loaded (nutritiously fed before feeding) and dusted with calcium and vitamins.

📅 Feeding regimen

Halflings: Can eat a mix of mash and live insects (in small amounts) daily or every other day.

Adults: Usually every 2–3 days get a complete diet + insects 2–3 times a week as a supplement.

🩺 Health status and common problems
🧬 Occurrence of health problems

With proper care, serious diseases are rare, but some problems can occur:

🦠 Calcium and vitamin D deficiency

Can lead to metabolic bone disease - with a lack of calcium or vitamin D3. Supplementation is therefore important.

💧 Shedding problems

Insufficient humidity can cause old skin to be retained (especially on the legs or tail). Increasing humidity and providing suitable substrate/hiding areas helps.

🫁 Respiratory tract infections

Result of cold and damp conditions; manifested by sneezing or labored breathing.

🪱 Parasites or digestive problems

Can be associated with inappropriate substrate or nutrition and veterinary assessment is necessary.

🐣 Reproduction

🥚 Females lay 2 eggs per clutch, sometimes more during the season if they are well-fed.

🐢 Incubation lasts ~60–90 days at stable temperature and humidity.

👶 Genetic sex determination: The sex of the young is determined genetically, not by incubation temperature, which makes breeding easier.

🎨 Species/morphs and variations

There is one species in the wild — Correlophus ciliatus — but a huge range of color "morphs" and patterns have been created in breeding, from light yellow to dark striped to complex "pinstripe", "harlequin" and other special combinations.

⚖️ Advantages and disadvantages of breeding
✅ Advantages

🧠 Low-tech: they do not need complex UVB/climate systems, a stable indoor environment is sufficient.

🪵 Interesting behavior: nocturnal and arboreal lifestyle is attractive to observe.

🎨 Aesthetics: many color and pattern variations.

⏳ Lifespan: 10–20 years or more with good care.

❌ Disadvantages / pitfalls

🌙 Nocturnal activity: not everyone wants an animal active at night.

🧠 Temperature/humidity sensitivity: needs a stable regime.

✋ Handling: although tolerant, can be stressful and the tail is easily lost if handled roughly.