Gargoyle Gecko
Rhacodactylus auriculatus
The Gargoyle Gecko is a captivating New Caledonian native with striking cranial bumps and marbled patterns. Easy to handle and care for, this nocturnal climber enjoys vertical spaces and fruit diets.
Environnement
Terrestre
Humidité
60 - 80 %
Température diurne
22 - 28 °C
Température nocturne
18 - 22 °C
Taille adulte
20 cm
UVB
Ferguson 2
UVI
0,7 - 1 UVI
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to the southern region of the island of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. It inhabits humid tropical rainforests, scrublands, and degraded secondary forests, commonly known as 'maquis'. They are primarily found at low to medium heights on vegetation, preferring climbing vines, thin branches, and tree trunks where they blend in perfectly during the day.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belongs to the class Reptilia, order Squamata, family Diplodactylidae, and genus Rhacodactylus. Described by Bavay in 1869. The specific name auriculatus is derived from Latin, referring to the ear-like bony protrusions on its skull. The wild genetics are stable, but captive breeding has yielded a vast array of color morphs (striped, blotched, reticulated).
Behavior and Habits: Primarily nocturnal and arboreal. It spends the daylight hours hiding in dense foliage or tree hollows, becoming active at night to forage and explore. They possess a generally calm temperament and tolerate moderate handling well, though they can make sudden jumps. They can drop their tails if stressed (autotomy), but unlike crested geckos, they will regenerate them.
Morphology: Characterized by a stocky body and a triangular head with distinct cranial bumps resembling ears. The skin has a fine, bumpy texture. They display diverse patterns and colors including shades of gray, brown, brick red, orange, and yellow. Adults reach a total length of 20-22 cm (8-9 inches), including the prehensile tail.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Terrarium Setup: A vertically oriented enclosure is required. The minimum recommended dimensions for a single adult are 45x45x60 cm (18x18x24 inches). Equip the tank with multiple climbing branches, cork bark tubes, and robust live plants (such as Pothos, Sansevieria, or Ficus) to provide secure climbing structures and aerial hideouts.
Lighting and Heating: Prefers moderate temperatures. Daytime temperatures should range between 22°C and 26°C (72-78°F), with a mild warm spot not exceeding 28°C (82°F). Nighttime temperatures can drop to 18-20°C (64-68°F). While they do not require intense heat, a low-output UVB light (2.0 or 5.0) is highly beneficial for calcium metabolism.
Humidity and Hydration: Requires an average humidity level of 60-80%. Achieve this by thoroughly misting the enclosure with clean water every evening and lightly in the morning. Allow the enclosure to dry out slightly during the day (around 50% humidity) to prevent mold growth. Geckos drink water droplets from leaves and glass.
Feeding and Supplementation: Omnivorous diet. In captivity, they feed primarily on complete powdered diets designed for frugivorous geckos, mixed with water to a puree consistency. Offer live insects (crickets, dubia roaches, silkworms) 1-2 times a week, dusted with calcium and vitamin D3 to ensure nutritional balance.
Compatibility: Adults must be housed individually due to territorial behavior and conspecific aggression. They are known to nip at each other, which can lead to tail loss or physical injuries. Pairs should only be introduced briefly for breeding purposes under close supervision.
Health and Common Diseases: Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) is a major concern if diet formulation lacks calcium or D3. Other common issues include dehydration (manifested by wrinkled skin and sunken eyes), dysecdysis (incomplete shed) particularly around toes which can cause necrosis, and respiratory or skin infections from overly wet conditions.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Endemic to the southern region of the island of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. It inhabits humid tropical rainforests, scrublands, and degraded secondary forests, commonly known as 'maquis'. They are primarily found at low to medium heights on vegetation, preferring climbing vines, thin branches, and tree trunks where they blend in perfectly during the day.
Origine
Australie, Nouvelle-Guinée et Océanie
Profil de reptile
- Régime alimentaire
- Omnivore
- These brightly colored Gargoyle Geckos maintain the omnivorous dietary preferences typical of their species. Their nutritional needs in the wild are met by foraging for overripe fruits, floral nectar, and a diverse selection of small canopy-dwelling insects. A healthy captive diet consists primarily of complete powdered gecko diets mixed with water, occasionally supplemented with gut-loaded crickets.
- Taille adulte
- 20 cm
- Mode de vie/microhabitat
- Arboreal
- While considered arboreal, they are often found slightly lower in the forest canopy compared to other New Caledonian species, utilizing robust branches and thick vines. Their claws and toe pads are adapted for gripping rough bark and branches.
- Cycle d'activité
- Nocturnal
- They are crepuscular to nocturnal reptiles, being most active during the late evening and nighttime hours. They spend their daylight hours resting in hidden, shaded areas of their enclosure.
- Sociabilité
- Solitary
- These geckos are robustly built and exhibit an array of vocalizations, including squeaks and growls, particularly when stressed or defending their territory. They are strictly nocturnal, retreating to hidden nooks in cork bark or dense foliage during daylight hours to rest. They are excellent jumpers and rely on their sticky toe pads to leap confidently between vertical surfaces.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding orange/red Gargoyle Geckos involves the male engaging in courting behavior, which sometimes includes gentle biting of the female's neck. The female later buries pairs of eggs in a humid substrate to ensure proper development. Incubation periods can fluctuate based on environmental temperatures, but healthy hatchlings typically emerge fully independent after approximately 70 days.
- Tolérance aux manipulations
- Tolerant
- Gargoyle geckos are typically docile and tolerate handling quite well, making them suitable for beginners. They are generally less "flighty" than crested geckos, though they can also drop their tails, which will uniquely regenerate over time.
- Brumation
- Non requise
- They do not undergo a true brumation period in captivity. Maintaining ambient temperatures between 72-78°F (22-25°C) year-round is ideal, with only a slight natural drop during the nighttime.
- Mue
- Periodic
- Shedding is a regular process happening every few weeks depending on growth. Maintaining appropriate ambient humidity (60-80%) and providing a slightly more humid microclimate ensures clean molts. Like many geckos, they consume their shed skin.
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