[lkrosser]

Hi All, I'm SO glad to have found this forum! It's wonderful and us "newbies" sure appreciate all the great advice!
After researching many types of reptiles, my 8 year old daughter - with guidance from her parents - has decided that the Gargoyle Gecko is the perfect match for our family (I've never owned a reptile before so this will be a fun experience for all of us).
We ordered the habitat (Zilla Fresh Air Screen Habitat for Reptiles - Medium size), and are purchasing cocofiber as the substrate and various plants/branches and all the other "stuff", but now we need to find the Gecko (baby or adolescent). I live in the north Dallas (Texas) area and was wondering how to locate a reputable (and humane) breeder and about how much I can expect to spend. Any suggestions/advice? Thanks so much!

[Hannibal]

Gargoyle prices can very between $35-400+ depending on color and pattern. Some local pet stores do carry them, but I hesitate to buy from one as you don't know how they were cared for or their genetic history. Finding a breeder is a wise decision...I'll send you a PM of someone to contact that is not to far from your area.

[Elizabeth Freer]

A hearty welcome to Geckos Unlimited! Looks like Andi has you guys covered for a garg reference.

You mention that you are from Texas and have just purchased a screen cage. I am wondering whether you will be able to maintain the necessary humidity for a gargoyle in a screen vivarium?

[lkrosser]

Thanks, Elizabeth! Your e-mail is timely - I had the screen cage in my "cart" to purchase last night when I posted on the forum but then didn't end up placing the order since I wasn't 100% sure it was the right choice (and thought I should wait until I talked to a breeder (i.e., an expert) before I purchased one. It's difficult since I've seen posts on the advantages of both the screen vs the glass enclosures. Based on your experience, what enclosure would you recommend? Thanks again!!

[Elizabeth Freer]

Well, I'm no expert on Rhacodactylus for sure. I only have a single adult male crestie that I keep in a vertical glass tank with a screen top. I live on the NW Oregon Coast, so not a dry area by any means . Quite the opposite in fact. I do not have air conditioning. Do you?

Even with plants in pots in the cage (a help to keeping the humidity higher) I just wonder about keeping the ambient humidity high enough in a screen cage??? For cresties it is recommended to spray the tank generously in the evening.

What I suggest is posting a thread on the Rhacodactylus subforum here with your habitat question to see what people with experience keeping and breeding gargs suggest.

[Riverside Reptiles]

Both the Zoo-med and the exoterra glass enclosures are very popular, fairly inexpensive, and easy to find. These guys are offering 10% off plus free shipping on both brands, but the sale ends today: Habitats, Reptile Supplies | PetSolutions

[Hannibal]

I personally use screened for my gargs since they love to climb & can't stick to glass. The humidity in my area is very easy to maintain with the screened enclosure also; however, I would recommend you asking Sarah on her experience with either enclosure type since she lives down in Texas & is very familiar with the weather/humidity you have there.