Gargoyle Gecko - Reticulated Morph

Nota Morph/Variante: The wild-type foundation pattern of the gargoyle gecko, featuring a highly intricate, marbled mosaic across the entire body.

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Like its crested cousin, it hails from the lush, cool primary and secondary forests of southern New Caledonia. However, it prefers thicker branches and tree trunks, camouflaging perfectly with bark and lichens during the day.

Taxonomy and Genetics: Rhacodactylus genus. A very prolific species in captivity, where exceptional morphs have been established that accentuate red or orange longitudinal stripes, or mosaic patterns ('Reticulated' and 'Striped').

Behavior and Habits: Strictly nocturnal. By day they remain completely motionless and cryptic on trunks in a head-down position. At night they become much more lethal and voracious hunters than cresteds. Less inclined to frantic jumping, they prefer climbing and ambushing. They can practice autotomy (drop their tail) but, unlike cresteds, their tail **will** grow back, albeit with a visibly regenerated, smoother appearance.

Morphology and Sexual Dimorphism: The name 'Gargoyle' comes from the massive cranial bumps (extended parietal bones) perched atop the head, resembling ears or small horns. The body is chunkier, wrinklier, and heavier than a crested's. They possess impressive canine-like teeth used in the wild to prey on small geckos and armored insects. Adult males have prominent hemipenal bulges.

Terrarium Setup: Vertical glass terrarium (e.g., 18x18x24 inches). Crucial difference: while cresteds love fine foliage and thin vines, Gargoyles absolutely require massive cork bark tubes and thick vertical trunks where they can flatten out to camouflage. A bioactive terrarium is highly recommended.

Lighting and Heating: Identical rule for all New Caledonian geckos: they suffer in extreme heat. Daytime range of 72-77°F (22-25°C), STRICTLY avoiding exceeding 82°F (28°C) to prevent lethal heat strokes. At night they tolerate drops to 64°F (18°C). Weak UVB lighting (2-5%) is strongly recommended to promote mineralization of their massive cranial bones.

Humidity and Hydration: Essential hygrometric cycle: heavy misting in the evening (reaching 80-90%) and allowing it to dry during the day to 50-60%. They must have a clean water dish (they often use it more than cresteds), in addition to licking water off the glass.

Feeding and Supplementation: Hybrid diet (Frugivores-Carnivores). 70% must be hydrated commercial powder mash (CGD). 30% MUST consist of live insects (large roaches and crickets). They are ruthless hunters and failing to feed them insects suppresses their instincts. Always dust insects with Calcium/D3.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: Absolutely asocial and highly aggressive. They must be isolated and raised singly from hatching. Placing two specimens together will result in dropped tails, bitten-off toes, and, in the worst cases, cannibalism towards the smaller specimen.

Health and Common Diseases: Susceptible to MBD (soft bones) like all frugivorous geckos if the diet lacks calcium. They are prone to FTS (Floppy Tail Syndrome) if they sleep upside down on slippery vertical glass walls; to prevent this, the terrarium must be packed with rough horizontal and diagonal trunks.