Gargoyle geckos make great pets for first-time pet owners. They are original to the Fiji Islands and Australia. They are easy to maintain, and if you love exotic animals, they are a real show-stealer. They can live for up to 15 to 20 years, provided you take care of their basic requirements and give them a secure and stress-free environment to dwell in.
Here are some essential points to keep in mind to ensure they stay safe and healthy. You can look up sites like https://www.topflightdubia.com/gargoyle-gecko-care for more information.
- Space to Move Around
Although gargoyle geckos are moderately active, they still need ample space to move around. If you give them a tiny enclosure, they will feel trapped, adding to their stress. An adult gargoyle gecko can grow as long as 8 inches, so they need to be housed in enclosures at least four times that size. A 20-gallon tank would be best for an adult gecko.
- Plenty of Plants
Gargoyle geckos are climbers, and they live in trees in their natural habitat. Ideally, you should add lots of plants to their natural habitat. Make sure there are branches to climb and perch on. As exotic pets, the gecko moves around in the branches and puts on a great show; your guests are sure to be thrilled by the display. Ensure that the plants do not attract pests or insects as wild insects are not suitable for geckos in captivity, especially as you have no way to determine if they are poisonous.
- Housing Multiple Geckos
Adult gargoyle male geckos could fight among themselves for territory, and more so if there is the presence of a female gecko. Unless your enclosure is enormous, where each gecko can find its spot without feeling threatened by the other, it is best not to keep them together. They might end up injuring each other, and in the process, one or both of them might die.
- Diet
It would help if you always fed your gargoyle gecko with gecko feed sourced from reputed dealers. You can feed them mealworms and dubia roaches. You can also feed them powdered meals from time to time. Do not forget to sprinkle supplements on their feed thrice a week. If your gargoyle gecko is sick or loses appetite, you might notice some changes in their skin color, or they might retreat to a corner. It is time to take them to the vet.
- Handling
Improper handling can cause disturbance to gargoyle geckos, stressing them out, and it is not suitable for their health. Allow at least three to four weeks for the geckos to settle down in their new environment. Sit with them while you put in food, without touching them. Refrain from picking them up forcefully if you see them darting away when you put your hand inside the cage. Handling sessions should be short and not more than 5 minutes. They can also bite, and you should take this as a warning and let go.
With these few points in mind, you can go ahead and choose a gargoyle gecko as a pet. By taking care of their health requirements and safety needs, you can ensure they complete their entire lifespan with ease.
