[1][2] The species was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1994 during an expedition led by German herpetologist Robert Seipp.

[7] On Grande Terre, one population is around the Blue River, which is a protected provincial park, and the other is farther north, just south of Mount Dzumac.

[3] Among the most distinctive features of this gecko are the hair-like projections found above the eyes, which greatly resemble eyelashes.

The crested gecko has many naturally occurring color groups, including grey, brown, red, orange, and yellow of various shades.

It is nocturnal, and will generally spend the daylight hours sleeping in secure spots in high branches.

[1][11][12][13] The crested gecko is an omnivore, and will opportunistically feed on fruit, nectar, pollen, and a variety of insects.

A female crested gecko only has to mate with a male once in order to lay 2 eggs every 4–6 weeks for a breeding cycle of upwards of 8–10 months.

This can lead to a calcium crash, in which the female appears shaky or wobbly, lethargic, has a lack of appetite, and can even result in death.

[11] Newly hatched crested geckos will generally not eat until after they have shed and eaten their skin for the first time, having relied until then on the remains of their yolk sack for nutrition.

[15] The biggest single threat to the wild population appears to be the introduction of the little fire ant (Wassmania auropunctata) to New Caledonia.