In this edition of vet advice and interviews, we speak to Adam Wickens about crested geckos, who owns the popular Youtube channel Wickens Reptiles.
Can you introduce yourself?
Hey there, I’m Adam Wickens. I’m a Comedian and YouTube personality from Ontario Canada. I started Wickens Wicked Reptiles in early 2019 and have loved sharing reptile content ever since.
What made you interested in reptiles?
As a kid, I was obsessed with Dinosaurs as most kids are and realized quickly you can’t keep dinosaurs as a pet.
But in Kindergarten we had an animal presenter come in and show the class some snakes and a tortoise and some other reptiles and I was hooked immediately.
When I was young if the TV was on and I was in front of it, it was always Steve Irwin or some other animal educator on the screen.
For geckos, what do you like about them?
Geckos are easy to keep, easy to handle and not intimidating at all.
I love this about geckos.
They come in so many so many colours and patterns and they are just so adorable. An easy handling animal is an animal for me.
What do you dislike about them?
I have very few dislikes of geckos. I mean maybe they are too predictable. I can’t say I have much to offer here.
What’s one thing everyone has gotten wrong about crested geckos?
I don’t think there is much negative stigma about cresties. Perhaps everyone thinks if their gecko loses their tail they did something wrong as a keeper. This isn’t true. Sometimes these geckos are timid and lose their tails. It’s completely normal.
Would you choose/or not choose a crested gecko as your first pet? Why?
I’ve said time and time again the easiest lizard on earth to care for is the crested gecko. I think they make a great first gecko and I would for sure choose a crested gecko as a first pet.
How do you properly care for a crested gecko?
This is a short question with a long answer but to make a long story short; Plant a 30ish gallon vertical enclosure, throw some UVB on it for 12 hours a day, mist it down twice a day, keep the temp and humidity right and throw in some prepared diet every other day. Enjoy your happy gecko.
What is the ideal habitat setup for a crested gecko?
In my opinion a planted enclosure of around 30 gallons or bigger, vertically oriented, that’s the best way. It can be glass or PVC or whatever but give them some space and height, thinks to climb on, and places to hide.
I’m on Youtube, Facebook, and Instagram as Wickens Wicked Reptiles. I’d love for you to check me out on socials.
