New To Gargs! Need Some Help?

[Alexzilla]

Hello, My name is Alex. I am new on here and was hopeing someone could offer me some help. I apologize in advance if this in the inappropriate place to post this... I am not new to reptiles but gargs have recently caught my attention. I have been doing my own research but I keep reading conflicting information. I want to do this right so I've decided to ask some questions. So here goes...

1. I have read that Gargs need uvb/uva lighting, yet they are nocturnal? Do they actually need to uvb/uva light?
2. I have read that they enjoy high calcium fruits such as apricots, but I have read that they will be completely happy just eating CGD? Should I just offer a combination?
3. I have read that the CGD will provide the garg with all the vitamins it needs? Is is acurate?
4. I have read that they enjoy temps up to around 80 degrees. All day around my upstairs (where i keep my animals) stays really warm. according to some theremometers it is between 82-83.5 degrees. I know this is a little high but will a garg be ok in this range?
5. I have a 20L Tank that I plan to use. Will this be sutible for 1 garg? I don't know if the attachment worked, but that is the tank ill be using. I want to keep the repticarpet for the ease of cleaning. i was thinking of putting the logs against the sides to open up the center and provide hiding places. then adding alot of vines and leaves for him to hide. will that be a good enclosure? Im pretty sure that is all i have for now. I really appreciate any help anyone can provide? anything else you think i should know any thing you just want to share would be appreciated. thank you.

Alexzilla

 

[Alexzilla]

Well I moved the thermometers in and moved the logs how im going to leave them. I sprayed down the tank, to see what humidity would look like and i got it up to 70% but dropped to 45% within an hour, so what im going to do is to get some plexiglass to hold the humidity in. im still not sure what humidty level im looking for thou... HELP PLEASE! Thanks

 

[Saille]

Hello, My name is Alex. I am new on here and was hopeing someone could offer me some help. I apologize in advance if this in the inappropriate place to post this... I am not new to reptiles but gargs have recently caught my attention. I have been doing my own research but I keep reading conflicting information. I want to do this right so I've decided to ask some questions. So here goes...

1. I have read that Gargs need uvb/uva lighting, yet they are nocturnal? Do they actually need to uvb/uva light?

Nope, while it won't necessarily hurt them, I have not found it to be a requirement for them. Some gargs will bask out in the open in the daylight hours though.

2. I have read that they enjoy high calcium fruits such as apricots, but I have read that they will be completely happy just eating CGD? Should I just offer a combination?

3. I have read that the CGD will provide the garg with all the vitamins it needs? Is is acurate?

As far as I know, yes, the CGD should provide them with the vitamins they need. Gargs will sometimes eat crickets and roaches as well, and it never hurts to offer them a variety. You can try the apricot and fruits as treat, but I would and I do use the CGD as my gargs' main food source. The protein in the insects will help them to grow a little faster and I like to provide some variety as I said.

4. I have read that they enjoy temps up to around 80 degrees. All day around my upstairs (where i keep my animals) stays really warm. according to some theremometers it is between 82-83.5 degrees. I know this is a little high but will a garg be ok in this range?

5. I have a 20L Tank that I plan to use. Will this be sutible for 1 garg? I don't know if the attachment worked, but that is the tank ill be using. I want to keep the repticarpet for the ease of cleaning. i was thinking of putting the logs against the sides to open up the center and provide hiding places. then adding alot of vines and leaves for him to hide. will that be a good enclosure? Im pretty sure that is all i have for now. I really appreciate any help anyone can provide? anything else you think i should know any thing you just want to share would be appreciated. thank you.
Alexzilla

for 4., Gargs can tolerate slightly drier and warmer temps than Crested geckos, but I would be careful about keeping them in too high of temps for too long. High 70's would be best for them. As for humidity, I mist once a night, like my Cresties and they're fine to dry out throughout the day. I don't worry about the humidity numbers, unless the house gets really really dry for some reason.
5. A 20 L is just fine for one full-sized garg, however, I would turn it on end so it has vertical space as opposed to horizontal as they like to climb. Be aware that sometimes a big big cage can stress them out to where they don't eat as well though. (it depends on the gecko though!) I keep my little juvies in KK's and move them up in size as they grow. These are slow growing lizards, so when they seem cramped, just move them up in size and monitor them.
I keep mine on paper towel so I can monitor their poop. If there's poop, they're eating. I personally love my little gargs, they're calm and I am gentle with them so they are used to tolerating being handled.
Hope this helps!

 

[cooper01]

I would like to agree with Saille about the turning of your tank on its side. This species is semi arboreal and REALLY need to have some vegetation to climb up. All five of mine spend 95% of their time in the leaves. Hope that all is well.

 

[Alexzilla]

Thanks For The Imput, I am no longer worried about the humidity as i went and found some plexiglass. Unfortunately I dont have the space on the stand that I have to turn it up. I did do alot of work to try to help with the arrobreal part. take a look at the pictures ive added and tell me if you think that will provide enough climbing space? Thanks

 

[Jaguar Gecko77]

you have deffinately improved from your origional design the only thing I would say is make sure your uva light dosen't get too hot but it looks like you did the best you could with the tank you have.

 

[Alexzilla]

Thanks, That is what i was planning all along, i just hadnt gone to the store to get the materials. i think the white light should be ok. Its a normal 40w light bulb, it might be a little warmer right under it but the tank with the plexiglass on it is staying between 78-80 degrees. I was told i didnt need to have uva lights.

 

[Saille]

Looks good, Alex. (I hadn't seen what it looked like before, but the vines and leaves are a good thing to have for your garg!)
Though a 20 L will be quite tall, if you have a screen lid, you can get the clamps to hold it in place if you turn it on its end. It will take up less horizontal space that way and give your gecko the semi-arboreal climbing space it would enjoy. That said, how big is your garg? I didn't see it in any of the pictures?

Also, (and this is just my personal opinion here!!!) I don't use the reptile carpet. I find that it holds bacteria from the poop and can be a pain to clean, so I just use paper towels on the bottom. My way isn't for everyone, however.

 

[Alexzilla]

ummm i dont have the garg yet, im just trying to prepare before i go to get one. unfortnately i dont have the space to turn it on its side. it is on the bottom half of a double stand, that is why im trying to find out if the way i have it now will give it enough of the semi arrboreal space that it needs. As far as the carpet, i have like 3 pieces that i plan to change daily, so while one is soiled, i have a fresh one, and one ready to go if need be. i just dont like the look of paper towel. if they would make coloered paper towel i would definately be using if for all of my tanks. that being said do you think that without turning it, if i add some more braches and things to climb on it will be ok??? thanks

 

[Alexzilla]

to show you what i mean when i say i dont have space to turn it ill show you what i mean...in the first pic u should be able to see lights, and then a black bar... well that black bar is the platform where the tank i have on top sits... in the second picture i measure from the bottom of that platform to the base. in the third you can see a close up of how close i get, off by like 10 inches. so i really cant turn it for the space i have. thanks

 

[cooper01]

I hope that I understand this correctly. You do not have the gecko yet? In that case I would like to use you as an example of what absolutely every person preparing for a new gecko should do. Not only have you purchased all of the needed materials, which is something that is required for proper keeping, but you have put it together, taken pics, and asked people here a GU that would know to make sure that all is as best as it can be. I commend you on you current coarse of action. If everyone did what you are doing, we would have a much brighter trade. Hope that you keep it up. Thanks for being such a good example.

 

[Alexzilla]

Thanks Cooper, You are correct, I have not bought the gecko yet. Although our local monthly reptile show will be next weekend. Which is why i am trying to finalize everything before hand as I really want to get a gargoyle. I have done the same thing with my California King Snake, As Well as My 6 Leopard Geckos. READ, READ, READ! Spend loads of money lol and then get the animal. hahaha now any thoughts on my question? Looking at the pictures do you think my gargoyle will have enough space to climb around without turning the 20l on its side? like the pictures above???

 

[Alexzilla]

New Pictures!

Hello, I am still trying to get an awnser on the tank question, as to weither it will be suitable for a gargoyle gecko. I added a few more things for the gargoyle to climb on and i want to add these pictures. I am really happy because the plant things i added were marked at 12.99 but only cost 4.99 so i said 8 bucks on each.

 

[Saille]

Alex, yes, I do think that should be fine for a garg, even a larger one.
I have two very small gargs and I keep them in Kritter Keepers right now. The reason being, sometimes they don't eat as well when they're in a huge cage because they feel insecure.
Mine both eat like piggies and I have larger cages to upgrade them to when the time comes.
But I have to say that your set up looks fine to me.
I have to agree with Cooper as well, Good for you for doing all your research and getting prepped ahead of time! I hope you find a great garg at the show!

 

[Alexzilla]

Thank You So Much, I have been getting alot of yes/no awnsers some that dont even awnser etc. I actually just decided to pull out those dishes on the bottom, so i could move the bowl with the moss to the front and add another one of the 5 dollard trees back there. also at the pet store i saw these leaf shaped suction cup dishes. i am going to get 2. one for food and the other for water. once i go do that im going to update what i hope will be the final revisions before i get the lil guy/gal. be back soon.

 

[Alexzilla]

So I have made the final revisions to my tank, added as much possible climbing room. water dish, food dish, everything should be good to go. lemme know what you think. thanks