What Are Axanthic Crested Geckos? If you love that striking black-and-white look in crested geckos, you’re probably obsessed with Axanthics! Axanthic animals have a reduction of, or lack of, xanthophores; the cells responsible for red, orange, and yellow pigments. Without those warm tones, the gecko displays a beautiful high-contrast monochromatic palette that makes them pop. Think of them as the monochrome filter of the crested gecko world!