How To Care For Your Gargoyle Gecko

Gargoyle Gecko Care are fascinating reptiles native to the southern regions of New Caledonia. Known for their rugged appearance, they typically reach lengths of 7-9 inches, including their tail. Their colors range from earthy tones like gray, brown, and red, often with striking patterns.

In terms of care, Gargoyle Geckos thrive in a well-planted, humid environment with temperatures between 72-82°F. A 20-gallon terrarium is usually sufficient for an adult gecko. They are nocturnal, so providing hiding spots and branches for climbing is essential.

Their diet consists of a mix of commercially available gecko food, insects like crickets and roaches, and occasional fruit purees. They generally have a calm temperament, making them a good choice for beginner reptile enthusiasts.

Gargoyle Geckos can live for up to 15-20 years with proper care, making them a long-term commitment. Their ease of care, along with their unique appearance, makes them a popular choice among reptile keepers.

Species Summary

These geckos are admired for their distinctive, rugged appearance, which includes a stout body, bumpy skin, and prominent cranial horns that give them a “gargoyle-like” look.

Adults typically reach 7-9 inches in length, including the tail. With proper care, Gargoyle Geckos can live between 15 to 20 years in captivity. In their natural habitat, they inhabit scrub forests and low vegetation areas. In captivity, they thrive in a well-planted, humid terrarium with plenty of branches and hiding spots. A 20-gallon terrarium is recommended for a single adult.

These geckos prefer a temperature range of 72-82°F and a humidity level of 50-70%, with a slight drop at night. Gargoyle Geckos are omnivorous. Their diet includes commercially prepared gecko diets, supplemented with live insects like crickets, roaches, and the occasional fruit puree.

They are primarily nocturnal and tend to be calm and relatively easy to handle. However, they may exhibit some territorial behavior, especially among males. Gargoyle Geckos come in various color morphs, including gray, brown, red, orange, and white, often with intricate patterns of stripes, blotches, or bands.

Appearance & Colors

They exhibit a wide range of colors and patterns, making them highly sought after by reptile enthusiasts. Common base colors include shades of gray, brown, and beige, which provide a natural, earthy appearance. In addition to these base colors, Gargoyle Geckos can display vibrant hues such as red, orange, yellow, and white.

Some geckos have a more uniform color, while others showcase intricate designs that add to their striking visual appeal. These patterns can change slightly depending on factors such as mood, temperature, and environment, allowing them to blend in with their surroundings.

Gargoyle Gecko Lifespan

Gargoyle Geckos can live for 15 to 20 years in captivity with proper care. Ensuring a suitable environment, proper diet, and regular health check-ups are key factors in helping them reach their full lifespan potential.

Average Size

Gargoyle Geckos typically reach an average size of 7 to 9 inches in length, including their tail. Males and females generally grow to similar sizes, with no significant difference between the sexes. Their robust build adds to their overall stocky appearance.

Gargoyle Gecko Care

Maintaining proper temperature is crucial for their health, with an ambient range of 72-82°F during the day and a slight drop at night. A reliable thermostat should control heating elements, and providing a temperature gradient allows the gecko to thermoregulate.

Humidity levels should be kept between 50-70%, achieved through regular misting, and monitored with a hygrometer. Proper ventilation prevents mold growth and respiratory issues.

Gargoyle Geckos are omnivorous, requiring a balanced diet of commercially prepared gecko pellets, supplemented with live insects like crickets and roaches. Offering fruit purees or mashed fruits provides additional vitamins. Dusting insects with calcium and multivitamin powder a few times a week prevents nutritional deficiencies.

Regular feeding schedules are important, with juveniles eating more frequently than adults. Fresh water should always be available in a shallow dish, and water dishes should be cleaned regularly.

Enclosure Size

Gargoyle Geckos require a terrarium that is at least 20 gallons in size for a single adult. If housing multiple geckos, especially if they are of different sexes, a larger enclosure is necessary to accommodate their needs and reduce stress or territorial behavior. Vertical space is particularly important, as Gargoyle Geckos enjoy climbing, so taller enclosures are preferable to provide sufficient height for branches and climbing structures.

Habitat Setup

Start with a terrarium of at least 20 gallons for a single adult, with a preference for taller enclosures to accommodate their climbing habits. Use substrates like coconut fiber, reptile carpet, or a mix of sphagnum moss and leaf litter. These help maintain humidity and are easy to clean, while sand or gravel should be avoided as they can cause impaction if ingested.

Include climbing structures such as branches, vines, and logs, ensuring they are securely anchored. Live or artificial plants can also provide additional climbing opportunities and hiding spots. Add multiple hiding places using cork bark, hollow logs, or commercially available reptile hides to offer security and reduce stress.

Provide a humid hide or a box with damp sphagnum moss to help with hydration and shedding. This hide should be accessible and placed where humidity is slightly higher.

Include a shallow water dish, ensuring it is cleaned and refilled regularly. Ensure proper ventilation to prevent mold and respiratory issues, which can be achieved with mesh or screen tops or ventilation holes.

Temperature & Lighting

The daytime temperature should range between 72-82°F. Use a reliable heating source such as an under-tank heater or heat lamp to maintain this range. Ensure the temperature gradient allows the gecko to move between warmer and cooler areas to regulate their body temperature effectively.

To monitor the temperature, use a digital thermometer with a probe for accurate readings.

Regarding lighting, Gargoyle Geckos do not require specific UVB lighting. However, maintaining a natural light cycle is beneficial. Provide a light source that simulates a day-night cycle, such as a low-wattage fluorescent or LED light. This light should be on for about 12-14 hours a day and turned off at night to mimic natural daylight patterns. The light helps regulate the gecko’s circadian rhythm and overall well-being without significantly affecting the temperature.

Humidity

Regular Mistings: Mist the enclosure daily or as needed to maintain appropriate humidity levels. Use a spray bottle to lightly mist the enclosure, especially in the evening, to increase humidity.
Humidity Gauge: Use a hygrometer to monitor humidity levels accurately. Place the hygrometer in the enclosure to keep track of moisture levels and adjust your misting routine accordingly.
Humid Hide: Provide a humid hide or a box with damp sphagnum moss inside the enclosure. This offers a microhabitat with higher humidity and helps the gecko with hydration and shedding. Ensure the moss is kept moist but not soggy.

Water

Water Quality: Use dechlorinated water or bottled spring water to avoid potential contaminants found in tap water. If using tap water, let it sit for 24 hours to allow chlorine to dissipate, or use a water conditioner to remove chlorine and chloramine.
Hydration Needs: Gargoyle Geckos obtain most of their hydration from their diet, but they still need access to water. Ensure the water dish is large enough for the gecko to drink comfortably and not so deep that it could pose a drowning risk.

Food & Diet

Supplement their diet with live insects such as crickets, roaches, and occasionally mealworms. Ensure the insects are appropriately sized to prevent digestive issues. Additionally, provide fruit purees or mashed fruits like bananas, apples, and berries as occasional treats or mixed with the commercial diet for variety and extra vitamins.

Dust live insects with calcium powder and a reptile multivitamin supplement a few times a week to ensure they receive the necessary nutrients and prevent deficiencies.

Feed juvenile Gargoyle Geckos daily and adults every other day, adjusting the quantity based on their size, age, and appetite. Remove uneaten food promptly to prevent spoilage and maintain cleanliness. Always provide a shallow dish of fresh, dechlorinated water to complement their diet and ensure proper hydration.

Potential Health Issues

MBD (Metabolic Bone Disease): This condition, caused by a lack of calcium and vitamin D3 or improper UVB lighting, results in deformities, soft or swollen limbs, and difficulty moving. Proper supplementation with calcium and vitamins, along with UVB lighting if needed, can help prevent MBD.
Respiratory Infections: Often due to poor ventilation or high humidity, symptoms include wheezing, mucus discharge, and labored breathing.

Parasites: Internal parasites can cause weight loss, lethargy, and digestive issues, while external parasites like mites cause itching and visible irritation. Regular inspections and veterinary treatment are necessary if parasites are suspected.
Skin Issues: Improper humidity can lead to shedding problems, such as retained or stuck shed. Maintaining appropriate humidity levels and providing a humid hide can assist with proper shedding.

Behavior & Temperament

Nocturnal: Gargoyle Geckos are primarily active at night, which means they will be more lively and interactive during the evening hours. They spend much of the day resting and hiding.
Calm and Tolerant: They are usually calm and tolerant of handling, especially when done gently and infrequently. Regular, gentle handling can help them become accustomed to human interaction, but excessive handling might lead to stress.
Territorial: While generally not aggressive, they can exhibit territorial behavior, especially among males. Providing ample space and hiding spots in their enclosure helps reduce potential conflicts and stress.

Handling Advice

Handling Gargoyle Geckos should be approached with care to ensure their comfort and minimize stress. Always approach them calmly and slowly, as sudden movements can startle them. When handling, support their entire body with both hands, avoiding any tight grips to prevent stress or injury. Use flat hands to distribute their weight evenly, placing one hand underneath and the other gently supporting their back.

Limit handling sessions, especially initially, to just a few minutes, gradually increasing as the gecko becomes more comfortable. Avoid handling during shedding periods, as this can interfere with their natural process and increase stress.

Ensure the handling area is safe and free from high surfaces or potential hazards where the gecko could fall or escape. Pay attention to their behavior and signs of stress, such as tail flicking or hissing, and avoid handling them if they seem agitated.