Crested geckos come in various shades of green; there isn’t just one true green hue; instead there are multiple variations within this category.
There are also multiple patterns. The most prevalent pattern is known as pinstriping, where every dorsal scale features an orange stripe. Other patterns could include harlequin, flame or tiger patterns.
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Color
Crested geckos are exquisite reptiles, and hobbyists have access to a vast variety of morphs. Each color carries its own distinct expression which results from combinations of alleles (variants of genes that strengthen or weaken a trait).
Tiger crested geckos can be distinguished from one another by having vibrant stripes running along their back & sides; these may feature either solid colors or more varied patterns like spots & patches.
Pinstripe geckos are another popular morph, consisting of two parallel lines of elongated scales that stretch from head to tail. Some geckos display light tone stripes known as oil spots; with age these will usually darken to appear more solid; in some instances these could even form what’s known as high percentage pinstripes.
Halloween, Flame and Harlequin morphs are also available, with the latter combining aspects from both Tricolor & Tiger varieties for maximum versatility in colors covering head, body sides & bellies.
Pattern
Crested geckoes come with many distinct patterns. Common ones include tiger, brindle, flame and harley stripes; these defining characteristics may overlap to create interesting hybrids such as pinstripes or hybrid patterns such as flame tiger/brindle/flame combinations or even tiger het flame patterns.
Tiger morph cats feature dark stripes running down from their dorsal area into unbroken lines to their belly area, as well as dark striped markings on laterals and legs.
Brindle crested geckos feature a lighter background color with darker patterns adorning their bodies and tails, interrupted by light bands of color.
Lilly White Crested Geckos are rare and stunning variations on the brindle gene, sporting white dorsal stripes with stacked lateral scales near their bellies – creating an eye-catching appearance which has quickly become extremely popular among gecko enthusiasts. Furthermore, this co-dominant genotype will display both dominant and recessive traits in offspring from this gene.
Body Shape
Crested geckos come with various morphs and traits. Morphs define the main appearance, while traits refer to smaller characteristics that appear with certain morphs; such as white fringe, kneecaps or full pinstripes.
Axanthic is a recently discovered gene in crested geckos that allows them to produce rare axanthic lilly white colors, which have very limited availability but are stunningly beautiful.
Flame crested geckos are very similar to harlequins in that they share dark backgrounds with bold cream, orange or yellow stripes running down their sides and tail.
Brindle crested geckos have dots and dashes that form an undulating pattern similar to that of the tiger’s stripes, yet are broken in certain areas. Pinning on these geckos is lighter than standard tiger stripes. Their pinnae may also vary. These geckos can either be full axanthic, partial axanthic lillys or hybrids of both.
Weight
Crested geckos are relatively light-weight reptile species. Adult size typically emerges between their first anniversary and two, when their distinctive colors and patterns begin to come through.
Crested geckos come in various morphs with unique traits associated with them, like white fringe on their legs and kneecaps on their rear legs. A purebred quad stripe is only called that when all its dorsal scales have been highlighted and elongated to form two perfect unbroken stripes running the entire length of its body.
Cresties often exhibit another characteristic called “firing up.” When this happens, it usually means they are ready to breed. Triggers for “firing up” include high humidity (especially at night or early morning) and higher temperature levels; or simply being active, stressed out, or scared can bring it on.
