Gargoyle Gecko (Rhacodactylus Auriculatus) ?'s

[Yoshi'smom]

I have one Leopard gecko at the moment. A former teacher of mine has a Gargolye Gecko that he would like to give to me. The only thing is I have to pick him up back in Pittsburgh PA when we go back for x-mas. I currently live in Detroit MI. Would this be a horrible trip for one of these guys to make. I used to live in Buffalo NY and we moved here and took my Leo with me. It was about a 7 hour trip and he did just fine. The trip from here to Pittsburgh is about 4.5-5 hours. Would that be okay to drive home with him?

I plan on setting up the terrarium for this garg now. I planned on putting some plants in for him to hide around and climb on. Can anyone give me advice on planting these? Should I just plant them in soil and then cover the soil with coconut husks and moss?

Can anyone give me any other advice on keeping one of these guys. I already went over the care sheet on them on here. I was just wondering who has these guys and was willing to give me any advice on keeping them?

Thanks everyone! I'm excited to get him!

 

[M&S-328]

I do not personally have and gargs myself, but I think it should be fine to take the trip with you. Im POSITIVE you will provide it with a safer trip with a better climate than many of the over-night shippers do (when you buy a reptile online or from a far away breeder). And if the geckos can survive those trips, Im sure it will be able to survive one with a caring owner by its side! =]

Just drive safe (you know: avoid big bumps when possible, dont take corners too sharply or fast, dont get into a road rage mentality, etc.) and keep the air temperature where the garg would be most comfortable, and things should go great =]

 

[Yoshi'smom]

OK! Thanks. I also have a few other questions for the Garg keepers out there:

1. Do you recommend any basking light and if so for how long should I keep it on and what watt bulb? I've read 15 or 75. Which is best?
2. How often do these guys shed and do they eat their old skin after like a Leo does? I haven't found anything helpful here.
3. I've read 2 different things as far as tail dropping goes. I read in one place that like Crested's they won't grow back and in another place that they do. Which is it?
4.Do they choose one place to go to the bathroom or will I be hunting all over the tank for poo to clean up?

That's about all! Thanks in advance. I want to have everything all ready and set for the little one before I get him/her.

 

[caleytkd]

OK! Thanks. I also have a few other questions for the Garg keepers out there:

1. Do you recommend any basking light and if so for how long should I keep it on and what watt bulb? I've read 15 or 75. Which is best?
2. How often do these guys shed and do they eat their old skin after like a Leo does? I haven't found anything helpful here.
3. I've read 2 different things as far as tail dropping goes. I read in one place that like Crested's they won't grow back and in another place that they do. Which is it?
4.Do they choose one place to go to the bathroom or will I be hunting all over the tank for poo to clean up?

That's about all! Thanks in advance. I want to have everything all ready and set for the little one before I get him/her.

Hi Yoshi'smom!
1. They don't require a basking light.
2. Mine doesn't have a real schedule for shedding, but they do eat their skin. [It used to be about once a month but now that she's getting closer to being full grown it has slowed down a bit.]
3. I have seen gargoyles in the process of regenerating their tails/ with regenerated tails so I assume most of them/ all do this.
4. Mine goes all over the place, lol.

Hope that helps.

 

[Yoshi'smom]

Thanks! You were a big help!!

 

[caleytkd]

No problem.

 

[Hannibal]

Hey Kelly...Gargoyles have an amazing personalities, so you will fall in love immediately.

A trip like that in the fall, winter or spring is fine....you just want to avoid any long trips in the summer time due to the risk of prolonged temps of 85+ which can stress, dehydrate and/or kill them. Basking is not required, but some breeding females do like to bask (just don't let temps get over 82-85 degrees and only have it in 1 section of the enclosure so they can cool themselves if they want).

In the winter we keep are ours between 64-68 degrees and in the summer between 73-78 degrees. If you keep them in a well light room, a light is not necessary. I do provide lighting on a timer for all of mine as my room gets morning light only. I offer 12-13hrs light in the summer and 7-8hrs light in the winter.

They really don't have a set schedule for shedding, but ours usually shed every 3-5 weeks depending if they are in a growing spurt or not.

The older the gargoyle is the less likely they are to drop their tail; and housing separately will prevent fighting (gargs can be very aggressive toward one another). If they do happen to drop their tail it will grow back in a few months time; however, it will not have the exact same pattern/coloring as the original tail had.

Most gargoyles do not have a specific area to poop like the leos do, but some do tend to go in the same general area more or less. Depending on how sneaky your gargoyle is, a few can hide their poop on the under side of plant leaves...haven't figured out how they do it, but I find poop under their leaves.

The best food to offer is the Crested Gecko Diet (CGD), you can also offer insects (crickets or dubias) once a week dusted in calcium. Stay away from baby food as it does not have the proper nutritional value and can cause MBD. For a treat, you can offer pureed fruit or Fruit Mix (made by Rapashy or Pangea). The Fruit Mix has a little more fruit nectar than the CGD, but it is also a complete diet & mixes up just like CGD.

 

[Yoshi'smom]

Thanks! This was soo helpful! I did install a small lamp just so the plants in the vivarium can get more light. The room I have the geckos in doesn't get sun all day, like yours only opposite. I have the lights on a timer but that's only temporary as far as with the Garg vivarium. I set everything up well in advance because I want to have the temps and humidity stable and I hope my plants don't die (my first actual planted viv).
I'm definitely going with CGD. How often does it usually last you? I know I'll only have one animal though....
Thanks again for all the helpful info! I can tell already that you'll be the one I go to if I have any trouble (hopefully I don't)! I'll post updated pictures as soon as he/she arrives!

 

[Hannibal]

Depending on the size gargoyle and the amount he/she eats (some pick at their food & some just pig out), a 4oz bag would probably last 4-5mos for 1 garg. I keep their CGD in their cage 24/7 and change it out for fresh every 3rd night. A few of mine like it fresh, most like it after it's a day old and our babies really seem to enjoy it after the 2nd night. The CGD powder will keep for at least a year in the frig and even longer in the freezer, so if you want to get a couple different flavors it will keep quite awhile.

Any questions at all, just ask away...I'm here to share my experiences.

 

[Yoshi'smom]

Wonderful! That's waaayyy cheaper than all those insects for my Leo! I'm really looking forward to getting this guy/girl! I've only had a Leo (I looove desert geckos) and I'm excited to get into semi-arboreal geckos. I hope everything goes well!

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Kelly ~

I would suggest the following for your car trip home at Christmas with your new gargoyle: several 60-72 hour heat packs just in case the car breaks down or something like that, a reliable digital thermometer to monitor the heatpack's output, a styrofoam container like one you would take on a picnic or a Playmate cooler (by Igloo), and a mister.

Should the unforeseen happen, be sure to wrap the heatpack in newspaper or towels to moderate the heat output. Never let the heat get above the recommended gargoyle range. (Initially heatpacks throw out more heat and then moderate.) Would want to have the gargoyle in a separate deli cup so no direct contact with the heatpack would be possible.

 

[Yoshi'smom]

Thanks a bunch! That eases my mind a little! I'll definitely do that! I didn't even think about the styrofoam box thing and heat pads! I was worried about how to keep it warm enough for the little guy for the whole trip! That's great advice! No wonder you're the best at this!!

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Thanks a bunch! That eases my mind a little! I'll definitely do that! I didn't even think about the styrofoam box thing and heat pads! I was worried about how to keep it warm enough for the little guy for the whole trip! That's great advice! No wonder you're the best at this!!

Kelly ~

;-))) :banana:

Elizabeth