Gargoyle Gecko - Sexable Male

Application to Purchase Required - live animal purchases require a review of your setup. After placing your order, a Customer Care Specialist will reach out to review your husbandry and habitat. Approval for purchase is NOT guaranteed and if denied, the order may be cancelled. Upon approval, you will receive a link to set up a shipping date for your live animal. All animals ship via Fed Ex overnight.

Species Overview

Common Name: Gargoyle Gecko
Scientific Name: Rhacodactylus auriculatus
Size: sexable juveniles 4"-6" 
Adult size: adults typically reach 6"-8" long

Size when shipped:

• Captive-bred juveniles, approximately 4"-6" total length depending on age

Lineage: Although not Dude-Bred, these geckos are captive bred and come from trusted sources that pass our high ethical and genetic standards.

In-house testing/treatment performed:

• Clean fecal
• Healthy body score
• Normal activity and behavior
• No missing limbs or toes 
• All animals go through a quarantine period at the Bio Dude.

Defining traits:

• Medium-sized geckos with robust bodies
• This species hosts a range of different patterns and mottling, often featuring reddish stripes and accents with light eye colors
• Excellent Climbers with adhesive toe pads
• Thrives in bioactive, planted environments
• Ideal display species for naturalistic vivariums

Care at a Glance

Their general hardiness, simple care, and manageable size makes them a popular choice among first-time reptile owners. With their cryptic beauty and tendency to relax in one spot for long periods of time, they make the perfect pet for any keeper  

Size:

Gargoyle geckos are medium-sized arboreal geckos native to New Caledonia, where they can be found among the trees and vines of its tropical rainforests. Since gargoyle geckos are arboreal, they are very rarely found on the ground.  

Biological Niche:

Gargoyle geckos are crepuscular, which means that they are primarily active at night and early morning — particularly around dusk/dawn. Their ideal habitat will be densely planted using broad leafed, sturdy plants. It will feature plenty of sturdy wood for them to climb and hangout on. They especially love cork back and cork tunnels. 

Native Range:

Gargoyle Geckos are native to the forests of New Caledonia, an island in the South Pacific hosting beautiful and abundantly biodiverse forests. Gargoyle Geckos share a native range with other beloved pets, such as: Leachie Geckos and Crested Geckos.

Groups vs. Non-groups:

As a general rule, gargoyle geckos should not be housed together in the same enclosure. This includes neonatal to adult geckos.

Terrestrial vs. Arboreal:

Gargoyle Geckos are arboreal and will rarely be found on the floor of the terrarium. They benefit from a lot of sturdy wood and plants to climb. They have sticky toes and are capable of climbing on the walls of the terrarium. These get benefits from being provided with lizard ledges for feeding and drinking.

Vivarium Size

• The minimum enclosure size recommended for housing a single gargoyle gecko is 18”L x 18”W x 24”H 
• 24" x 24" x 24" is recommended for one adult. 
• Young geckos (<12g) tend to benefit from being temporarily housed in a smaller “grow out” enclosure until they are large enough to safely navigate an adult-sized enclosure. 
• The habitat should be set up as a tropical, bioactive vivarium.
• Rock slabs, cork, and driftwood for hides and thermal zones
• Leaf litter and microfauna. Tropical springtails and isopods.
• Open basking areas with sheltered retreats
• Good cross-ventilation and strong seasonal light cycles
• Use Terra Fauna substrate with BioShot, leaf litter, and sphagnum moss mixed throughout to provide the proper microclimates and facilitate optimum substrate health.

Temperature and lighting:

• Create a broad, naturalistic gradient:
• We recommend Arcadia ShadeDweller 2.4% UVB light and an appropriate plant light
• Warm side/basking area: 82-85
• Cool Zone: 70-75
• Night drop: 65-72
• Overhead heat is generally recommended, however take care to never let your tank exceed 85
• Ensure thermal safety via thermostats and gradient testing.

Humidity:

• General ambient: 60-80% humidity, depending on season
• Light evening misting can help support microclimate diversity without oversaturation
• They originate from regions with high humidity

Diet:

Gargoyle Geckos are omnivores with frugivore tendencies. Offer a rotating, varied menu:

• Crickets
• Roaches (Dubia, lateralis, etc.)
• Pangea Gecko Diet
• Mashed or finely chopped papaya, figs, mangos, apricots, bananas, and blueberries
• Avoid citrus fruits and other high acidic foods
• All live feeders must be gut-loaded and dusted with high-quality calcium and multivitamins, especially for growing juveniles

Important Policies (Please Read Before Purchasing)

After purchasing, upload your habitat for approval here.

After approval, we will email you the animal purchase contract found here.

Read our Live Arrival Guarantee prior to purchasing here.

Scheduling:

We care about long-term success. All live animals require a scheduled shipping date set after the approval process.  To book your shipping day, click here.

Conservation & Additional Resources

Gargoyle Gecko Caresheet

View Gargoyle Geckos on the IUCN List