Gargoyle Gecko Care Guide

Things to consider

First and foremost, there are many things you need to consider before getting a Gargoyle Gecko. If cared for properly, gargoyle gecko can live up to 20 years in captivity. This is a long term and serious commitment. Ultimately, they will only be able to rely on you to meet their needs.

Do not buy on impulse. Do your research first.

Are you set up for your new gargoyle gecko?

Have you located a qualified exotic veterinarian?

Do you have the time to commit to a gargoyle gecko?

Can you afford the upkeep of a gargoyle gecko?

How do you feel about having live feeder insects in your home?

Juvenile Setup

Housing Your Gargoyle Gecko

Gargoyle geckos are arboreal, meaning they live up off the ground and in trees and bushes. So having plenty of space to climb is more important than having a lot of floor space.

I would recommend a Glass Exo Terra Enclosure.

Never keep more than one male gargoyle gecko in a single enclosure. They are territorial and will fight. Housing multiple females together is fine as long as they are similar in size. You may also house a couple of females together with one male as long as they are all of breeding size (45 grams or more).

Adult Setup

Setting up a Bio-Active Gargoyle Gecko Enclosure (video is of my crested gecko but would be the same for a gargoyle gecko)

Substrate

The best substrate you can use for a gargoyle gecko is Reptile Carpet. You can also use paper towels, butcher paper, tile or newspaper. Many gargoyle gecko keepers use coconut husk but I personally do not recommend it. It can cause impaction problems, especially in babies and juveniles.

Heating

Gargoyle geckos only require temperatures to be 74 to 78 degrees, so room temperature is fine for these guys, but never let your enclosure get above 78 degrees.

Lighting

Gargoyle geckos  do not require any special lighting because they are nocturnal lizards. They do not require any UVB lighting but in the wild, they are subject to some filtered UVB while they are sleeping. It is my opinion that exposing them to a small amount of UVB during the day will only improve their health. It certainly won't hurt them. You can use a low wattage bulb for a few hours a day.

Furniture

Items to include in your gargoyle gecko enclosure are:

Hides or Cork Rounds stood on end make excellent places for sleeping.

Reptile Ledge for food and water. Your gargoyle gecko will feel more secure if they can eat up off the ground.

Branches and limbs for climbing

Plants, lots of plants, for climbing and hiding.

Keeping your Gargoyle Gecko Hydrated

Gargoyle geckos do not require a lot of humidity but they do require some. Keeping a small water bowl with fresh water in the enclosure and misting them a couple times a day should suffice.

Diet

Gargoyle geckos diet mainly consists pre-packaged, powdered food that is simply mixed with water. There are several brands out there but I recommend Repashy. There are some other brands that are getting good reviews but so far mine eat the Repashy the best.

You can also give your gargoyle gecko crickets once a week. Be sure they are no bigger than the space between the geckos eyes.

If you are feeding crickets, remove any uneaten crickets after a couple of hours. If they are left in the tank, they may annoy your gargoyle gecko by biting it while it sleeps.