These Domesticated Soft Grown Geckos are Quick to Respond In Handling.
The Gargoyle gecko is a variety of gecko only seen on the southern parts of the Island of New Caledonia. The indiscriminate deforestation for financial gain and increasing the urbanization, has taken its toll on the active erstwhile natural abodes of the species Rhacodactylus auriculatus, also called the Gargoyle Gecko or the New Caledonian bumpy gecko. CITES or (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna) is now considering the positive inclusion of these geckos under the protected species of animals, and is bringing restrictions for export of these animals. It was Bavay in 1869, who described the first gecko of this species.
Diet
Wild Gargoyle geckos feed on are lizards, insects, small rodents and other plant matter like nectar and fruits. In custody, you feed them with the routine standard feed of crickets and, because they easily tire of repetitive food, give them a variety of potential prey items like roaches, pinkie mice, crickets, mealworms and just a little measure of suitable fruits. Though you can easily get balanced nutritious food commercially, they will need gentle manipulation to develop an interest in them. Gargoyle geckos shows favoritism towards bigger food items, but remember that you should feed only those prey that are smaller than the distance between their eyes
As a Pet
Housing
On the subject of Gargoyle Gecko Care, it is ideal to shelter them independently, since you cannot overrule the unfortunate possibility of their being violent with their cage mates. However, one male gecko seems to do well when caged with females alone. One gecko needs a terrarium of 20-gallon capacity or bigger. Never shelter two male geckos in one enclosure. You can house a pair of either a male and a female or two females with a closed space of at least about 30 gallons. Instead of horizontal ones, opt for vertically oriented terrariums. Since Gargoyle geckos like climbing, keep decorations and branches for climbing and perching. To enable correct vitamin absorption, it is obligatory to have a full spectrum of UV lighting.
Handling
Prior to handling the newly obtained Gargoyle geckos you have to allow them to feed normally. Always avoid grabbing a gecko from above; rather scoop them from below. Because some little gargoyle geckos try to bite or leap and escape, try to handle them on the floor to avoid injury. After several sessions of five-minute handling, the geckos become passive and get acquainted. A domesticated soft grown gargoyle gecko is quick to respond in handling.
Temperature and Humidity
Variations in temperature easily have an effect on gecko care. If you control the temperature between 70-80°F, and keep the average humidity level at around 50% by misting the gecko tank with de-chlorinated water twice or thrice daily, your pet geckos will stay happy. Make sure that the enclosed space is moist, but not soaked, as stagnant water can affect their health.
Breeding
Breeding is quite easy. Just place a healthy male and a healthy female Gargoyle gecko together, they breed without difficulty, but Gargoyle geckos being quarrelsome, house them separately and bring them together for just a limited time. They have a rough breeding process and you would do well keeping an eye open lest it led to injury. Minor injuries like tail shedding are normal. House an adult gecko in 20-gallon tank. You must leave the male Gargoyle gecko either isolated or as a breeding pair or with two females. Never house males together as they will fight. Young ones are quarrelsome with cage mates, sometimes resorting to cannibalism of the toes, tails and other extremities are a common feature. At all times other than the mating period, keep them isolated, irrespective of the gender or age.