Quick Facts
Adult Size
6-9 inches (slightly stockier than crested geckos)
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Beginner Suitability
First Reptile?yes
Beginner Score9/10
⚠ Beginner Warnings
Heat sensitive (avoid temps above 85-87°F), can be territorial with each other, slightly harder to find than crested geckos
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Temperament & Handling
Temperamentdocile
Handling Tolerancegood
Handling NotesOften more tolerant of handling than crested geckos and less prone to jumping. Still handle close to ground. Unlike crested geckos, gargoyle geckos CAN regenerate dropped tails.
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Temperature & Humidity
Temperature
Basking85°F
Ambient75°F
Night68°F
Heat sensitive like crested geckos but slightly more tolerant - avoid temps above 85-87°F. Ideal range 72-78°F. Often do not need supplemental heating.
Humidity
Target Range60% – 80%
Higher humidity species 60-80%. Mist 2x daily. Allow enclosure to dry between mistings to prevent mold.
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Lighting & UVB
UVB RequiredYes — Required
Target UVI0.7-1.0
Lighting NotesFerguson Zone 1. Low-output UVB like Arcadia ShadeDweller or 2-5% T5 is beneficial. Optional but recommended.
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Enclosure
Minimum Size18x18x24 in vertical
Recommended Size24x18x36 in vertical
Enclosure Typearboreal
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Substrate & Environment
Substrate TypeBioactive mix (ABG mix), coconut fiber, or paper towels. Similar substrate options to crested geckos.
Substrate Depth2-4 inches for bioactive
Water Featureno
Water NotesMisting 2x daily provides drinking water on cage walls and leaves. Water dish can be offered but many prefer droplets.
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Activity & Behavior
Activity Patterncrepuscular
Social Behaviorsolitary
CohabitationCan be territorial with each other, especially males. Males should never be housed together. Female groups possible in large enclosures with careful monitoring for aggression.
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Diet & Nutrition
Diet Typeomnivore
Feeding FrequencyEvery other day for CGD; insects 1-2x weekly as enrichment
Diet NotesPrepared crested gecko diet (CGD) from Pangea, Repashy, or Lugarti works perfectly for gargoyle geckos too. Insects offered 1-2x weekly as enrichment.
💊 Supplementation Schedule
Calcium without D3 lightly dusted on insects if offered (CGD contains calcium). CGD is nutritionally complete.
✅ Recommended Foods
| Food | Category | Ca:P | Usage |
|---|
| Collard Greens | leafy | 9.3 | staple |
| Black Soldier Fly Larvae | insect | 7 | staple |
| Mulberry Leaf | leafy | 5 | staple |
| Turnip Greens | leafy | 4.5 | staple |
🚫 Foods to Avoid
| Food | Toxicity | Category |
|---|
| Avocado | ☠️ fatal | fruit |
| Fireflies | ☠️ fatal | insect |
| Foxglove | ☠️ fatal | flower |
| Garlic | ☠️ fatal | vegetable |
⚕️
Health & Critical Care
Metabolic bone disease, stuck shed, respiratory infections, tail loss (but regenerates unlike crested geckos), bite wounds from conspecific aggression
Health NotesCan regenerate tails unlike crested geckos. Watch for aggression wounds if housing multiple animals. Same general health concerns as crested geckos.
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Breeding
Difficultyeasy
SeasonYear-round in captivity
Clutch Size2 eggs per clutch; 4-8 clutches per year possible
Incubation60-90 days at 72-78°F
Breeding NotesEasy to breed. Similar approach to crested geckos. Pairs or trios work but monitor for aggression. Separate gravid females if stressed.
✨
Available Morphs
Normal, Striped, Reticulated, Red Base, Orange, Blotched, White - striking color variety available
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Cost & Availability
Price Rangemoderate
Availabilitycommon
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Native Habitat
Native RegionNew Caledonia
Habitat Typerainforest
Climate NotesHumid tropical forests similar to crested gecko habitat. Slightly more temperature tolerant than crested geckos but still heat sensitive.
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Legal & Conservation
Conservation StatusVulnerable
CITES Listingappendix ii
Legal RestrictionsCaptive bred only - wild collection prohibited by New Caledonian law
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