Why is my Crested Gecko not growing?

I get asked this quite often. So today I decided to tackle the million dollar question! "Why wont my Crested Gecko grow!?"

All Crested Geckos grow at different rates. A lot of things can influence this, such as: Temperature and Diet. I'm going to explain each of these factors, while also answering this question. Everything that I write about is first hand experience and I always suggest checking other sources for more information! 

Temperature:
Crested Geckos are cold blooded, meaning that their body temperature depends on their environment. These geckos can live happily at temperatures of 72 to 80 degrees. But when it comes to gaining weight. Temperature has a big effect on their rate of growth. 
Try keeping your gecko around 77-80 degrees during the day. With a slight drop in temperature at night around 75-77 degrees. Raising your geckos temperature helps their metabolism work faster. Causing your gecko to eat more and sometimes be more active. 
*Side Note* Try providing a hot spot during the day of 77-80 degrees. With a cool spot of 75-77 degrees. Our geckos enjoy being able to thermoregulate.

Diet:
As your gecko eats more food. It supplies their body with more energy to grow.

Prepared Diets: 
Prepared diets such as Pangea, Repashy and BFG (just to name a few) are very important for a Crested Gecko to get regularly. They are a staple and should be given 3 to 4 times a week. Frequency is not the only important factor but diet consistency is as well. When making the prepared diets, make sure it is a ketchup consistency. If it's watered down the gecko will have to eat a lot more diet to get the amount of nutrition it would get from a thicker diet. 

Insects:
Many people still think New Caledonia Geckos do not require insects to thrive. But our geckos have thrived with Insects added to their diet. Things like Crickets and Dubia Roaches are a weekly hit at our house. Providing insects adds healthy protein and our geckos grow very quickly on this schedule.
Try giving Crickets or Dubia 2 times a week along with the prepared diets.
*Side Note* Don’t forget to gut load your insects and dust them in calcium!

Bee Pollen? 
Bee Pollen is a great way to add extra protein to their monthly routine. Try adding a pinch to their prepared diets, dusting insects with it and using it, along with other things to gut load your Crickets or Dubia Roaches. 
*Make sure to use this sparingly when mixing it into their prepared diets.

I have created a two week feeding schedule for reference:

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And repeat…

If your gecko is losing weight or continues to not gain weight: Make sure all husbandry is correct and get a fecal test done to rule out parasites. Healthy animals will grow when given the correct husbandry. Some may just grow slower then others.

As always, If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask!