Gargoyle Gecko - Rhacodactylus auriculatus
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Gargoyle Gecko - Rhacodactylus auriculatus
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Lizard Care Sheets]
General
Information
Distribution — Endemic to the island of New Caledonia. Found primarily in the central and southern third of the island.
Habitat — Montane rainforest habitats with small trees, low lying shrubs and vegetation.
Size — Adults grow to a length of 16-18.5 cm (7-8 inches). Hatchlings are typically 5.5-6.75 cm (2.5-3 inches) long.
Temperament —As with Crested geckos, gargoyle geckos are one of the few arboreal species of geckos that are relatively easy to handle. They do not bite but may attempt to leap to nearby objects.
Longevity — Very little longevity information is available for this species as it has not been bred and raised in captivity for long. However, one wild caught specimen lived more than 22 years in captivity. As captive care of this species improves, it may be found that they live even longer.
Captive Care
Rating: 2; Due to this animal’s good nature, feeding habits, and adult size it receives an excellent rating; Gargoyle geckos are a good reptile pet for beginners but they can be a little more difficult to handle when compared to species such as leopard geckos and bearded dragons.
Diet: Both insects (crickets, mealworms, wax worms, silkworms, and butter worms) and fruit should be fed to ensure good health in this species; however, a pre-prepared powdered food manufactured by T-Rex is also available. Fruit flavoured baby food and a fruit-honey mixture (click here to view a recipe) are also a favourite.
Temperature: 24 to 27°C (77-82°F) during the day and 15° to 17°C (61-64°F) at night.
Required Space: Gargoyle geckos are arboreal, their enclosures should be tall rather than long. A trio (one male and two females) can comfortably be housed in a terrarium measuring 36x54x72 cm (16x24x32 inches).
Breeding: Gargoyle geckos are very easy to breed in captivity. Males have pronounced hemipenal bulges and preanal pores. As with crested geckos, breeding typically occurs after a period of cooling - maximum daytime temperatures of 16°C (63°F). Breeding occurs a few days to a week after the animals are returned to normal temperatures. Eggs are laid approximately 4 weeks later. Clutches of 2 eggs are typically deposited in a moist substrate every 4-6 weeks. Eggs should be transfered to a container with slightly moist perlite and incubated at a temperature of 25-27°C (79-84°F). hatching will occur anytime between 45 and 85 days.
Special Requirements: These geckos must not be maintained at high temperatures. Animals raised at high temperatures are more liekly to develop metabolic bone disease. Gargoyle geckos do spend time basking in the early morning and late in the day and does require full spectrum lighting (specifically UVB) to assist in vitamin D3 production and calcium absorption. Without this lighting, the geckos will be unable to absorb calcium and they will suffer from metabolic bone disease. Suitable climbing sites, such as pieces of cork bark and grape vine, should also be provided in the terrarium to make the geckos feel comfortable.
Sources (Suggested Reading):
Bartlett, R.D. and P. Bartlett. 1997. Lizard Care from A to Z. Barron’s Educational Series Inc., New York. Pp. 178.
Siepp, Robert and Friederich Wilhelm Henkel. 2000. Rhacodactylus: Biology, Natural History & Husbandry. Warlich Druck, Meckenheim, Germany. Pp. 173.