Gargoyle Gecko Care Sheet

GARGOYLE GECKO CARE SHEET

Gargoyle Geckos are a medium to large sized semi arboreal member of the Rhacodactylus genus.  They grow to about 8-9 inches in length and are usually quite chubby and robust in appearance.  They are very docile animals and they tolerate handling very well.  They are slow moving and less jumpy than most other Rhacodactylus geckos.

 

Gargoyle Geckos (Rhacodactylus auriculatus) can be housed and maintained pretty much the same way as Crested Geckos. Please refer to our Crested Gecko Care Sheet for basic care info.

 

There are however some basic differences in the care of Gargoyles that need to be taken into account. 

 

Gargoyle geckos can be reluctant to feed on insects, however they can be coaxed into eating large sized insects.  Baby gargoyles can consume a 3/4 inch cricket no problem, so if they are turning their noses up at insects, just go a little bigger.  Adults will eat extra large crickets or adult feeder roaches as well as pinky mice.  Gargoyles will also readily eat fruit mixes however a more nutritionally complete option is the Gargoyle or Crested Gecko Diet by Repashy and T-REX.  We raise all of our Gargoyles almost entirely on the Crested Gecko formula, with insects about once every 2 weeks.

 

Another aspect of Gargoyle care that needs to be taken into account is that they are unable to stick to smooth surfaces as well as Crested Geckos. You should provide your Gargoyle Gecko with plenty of branches, cork bark, or other rough climbing material.

 

Gargoyle Geckos will enjoy moderate humidity and an occasional misting, however they should not be kept wet for long periods of time.  Although it is not a necessity, gargoyles will utilize basking spots if one is provided, sometimes even venturing out during the day to soak up the rays.  Basking temperature should be around 80-82 degrees farenheit. 

 

Gargoyle Geckos also tend to be aggressive towards each other and for this reason you may want to house them seperately. Gargoyle Geckos have a natural tendancy to nip and eat the tails of any other geckos they are housed with.  For breeding purposes, adult Gargoyles can be housed in groups of one male to three females, and you must keep an eye out for any serious aggression.  Males or females can become so beat up that they will constantly hide and stop feeding.  You must remove these animals to a seperate enclosure and allow them some time to recover. 

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Gargoyle Geckos do not reproduce as prolifically as the Cresteds but each female can produce anywhere from 4-8 clutches of eggs per year. The babies hatch out stocky and robust and can be raised the same way as Cresteds.  Incubation is the same as crested geckos however there is some evidence suggesting that eggs incubated at 70-74 produces more females and eggs incubated at 78-79 degrees produces more males.