Gargoyle Gecko Thread?? Or any helpers

[CliffTheRedfoot]

is there any thread for help on gargoyle geckos? Just want to make sure I’m giving this little guy the best possible home !

 

[Megatron's Mom]

I'm not an expert but I have several of them and some crested geckos. It would be nice to hear from a group other then FB or YT.

 

[CliffTheRedfoot]

I'm not an expert but I have several of them and some crested geckos. It would be nice to hear from a group other then FB or YT.

Any tips you could give me or basic do’s and dont’s? I hear mixed things about their care through YT

 

[Megatron's Mom]

This is what I have learned
They like temps between 70-78 should not go higher then 78. So pretty much room temps in my house, no need for supplemental heating. They can go lower but it is not what they prefer and will slow down.

Definitely solitary animals. So only one per enclosure. I have seen the argument over and over if you have enough room you can co-hab. But then I see the posts of what happens when it doesn't work. it is just not worth to co-hab. I like spending my money on better things then vets. I've been bit by one of mine when she was younger and I can tell you they do have a good bit. She drew blood.

When I started with them I was told an adult size tank was 18x18x24 but now ppl say to go bigger like the sky scraper tanks. Personally we are never going to create the wild that so many want to compare things too. They like a lot of coverage, so basically if you can find them super easy you might need more. I made my tanks bioactive because it is easier in the long run.

None of mine will eat bugs, I try from time to time again, but with foods like Pangea you don't have to worry about bugs. Mine are all pretty friendly now and I haven't been bit again(knocks on wood). Many will say not to bother on a water dish because they drink the droplets of water when you spray. But I see mine drinking out of their water dishes.

Feeding is ever other day, this still bugs me but when I was feeding mine every day the food just sat there going bad and they actually grew slower. Might not be related but when I finally went to every other day they gained weight better.

How much does yours weigh? Most of the time under 18g they keep them in shoe boxes. I didn't know that when I got my first one and even though she was eating good. She was burning too many calories and not gaining as fast as the others that I kept in smaller set ups.

If you have any questions let me know. I can do my best answer them.

I also have crested geckos, a chahoua and a leachie too. I love the smoothie geckos makes my life so much easier.

Last year we started breeding the crested geckos. I have 8 tiny babies now.

 

[CliffTheRedfoot]

This is what I have learned
They like temps between 70-78 should not go higher then 78. So pretty much room temps in my house, no need for supplemental heating. They can go lower but it is not what they prefer and will slow down.

Definitely solitary animals. So only one per enclosure. I have seen the argument over and over if you have enough room you can co-hab. But then I see the posts of what happens when it doesn't work. it is just not worth to co-hab. I like spending my money on better things then vets. I've been bit by one of mine when she was younger and I can tell you they do have a good bit. She drew blood.

When I started with them I was told an adult size tank was 18x18x24 but now ppl say to go bigger like the sky scraper tanks. Personally we are never going to create the wild that so many want to compare things too. They like a lot of coverage, so basically if you can find them super easy you might need more. I made my tanks bioactive because it is easier in the long run.

None of mine will eat bugs, I try from time to time again, but with foods like Pangea you don't have to worry about bugs. Mine are all pretty friendly now and I haven't been bit again(knocks on wood). Many will say not to bother on a water dish because they drink the droplets of water when you spray. But I see mine drinking out of their water dishes.

Feeding is ever other day, this still bugs me but when I was feeding mine every day the food just sat there going bad and they actually grew slower. Might not be related but when I finally went to every other day they gained weight better.

How much does yours weigh? Most of the time under 18g they keep them in shoe boxes. I didn't know that when I got my first one and even though she was eating good. She was burning too many calories and not gaining as fast as the others that I kept in smaller set ups.

If you have any questions let me know. I can do my best answer them.

I also have crested geckos, a chahoua and a leachie too. I love the smoothie geckos makes my life so much easier.

Last year we started breeding the crested geckos. I have 8 tiny babies now.

I live in southern cali and my heater just went out at the worst time.... my house rooms have been get into the low 60's which i figure is WAY too cold for these guys. But at the expo the people i had purchased from said they dont need light or do well with direct heating so i was wondering what would be the best idea for raising these temps? I was thinking setting up a heat bulb, but then at lights out its gonna be too cold so maybe a CHE would be best?
I'm not sure on her/his weight I just picked up this fella a few days ago havent weighed him or handled too much didnt want to cause to much stress before they're adjusted to the move. But it's definitely a younger one, hasnt been sexed yet. I have him in a small tank right now, waiting on my 18x18x24 dubia enclosure to come in so i can get that all set up for him. Do you have any recommendations for substrate? I heard paper towels work good and easy to clean but also heard of people using loose substrate..
I picked up a bunch of that pangea food when i got him so hes good for food just need to figure out how to get his bowl lifted since ive heard they do better with food and water bowls up high.
Also is a night/day cycle very important with these guys? should i get a ambient light setup going on a 12 hr timer as well ?
Sorry for the million questions just want to replicate the best living situation for this guy. Thank you!

 

[CliffTheRedfoot]

.

 

[Megatron's Mom]

I love the red stripe gargoyles so much. My guess is male but you're right he is young. Before putting him the bigger tank weigh him.

A day night cycle is good, I use just the LED smart bulbs above the tanks for my bigger tanks and my younger ones I have the led strip lights that go across a few of the tanks.

Yikes, heat going out is not fun for anyone. They can handle down to 65, but need to be able to warm back up. It's not the best for them, but short term it is not bad. They can heat back up during the day. Get a low watt CHE and thermostat to help keep temps at least to 72. Don't place the CHE directly on the top screen since he can walk along the top. It might be easier just to get an oil filled radiator to heat the room he's in.

They have food ledges that are either magnetic or suction cups.

Paper towel is good when you first get them, it helps you figure out if they are eating. They can eat such small amounts you might not notice the lick marks.

Paper towel is good many are doing paper towels because it is an easy switch when dirty. I have a bioactive floor in most of my tanks. It's a mix of sphagnum moss, cypress mulch and topsoil and a clean up crew.

 

[Tom]

All great info from Megatron's Mom. I have a crested gecko. I use damp coco coir on the bottom to keep humidity up. He seldom goes down there. Live plants are great. Plastic plants are easier to keep alive. I use a magnetic shelf to keep the food and water cups higher up the side of the tank. Mine won't eat any bugs either. Here in dry CA, I spray the enclosure daily so he can drink the drips if he wants. I use no direct heating or lighting on the enclosure, but the room does brighten during the day due to opening the curtains on a large window. No direct sun ever hits anywhere near the enclosure.

Until your heater is fixed, you can put the enclosure in a bathroom with a space heater and close the door. Watch the temps carefully. Those heaters can over heat a small space. Use a reptile thermostat made to handle the appropriate wattage if possible.

 

[CliffTheRedfoot]

Was a bit of a struggle but we got him weighed . Should’ve changed it to grams but I had forgot so I just converted around 13.3 grams I believe . Correct me if I’m wrong ?

 

[CliffTheRedfoot]

Hey just wanted to update, heater is fixed!
I moved this guy into my grow tent I have setup for my redfoot (separate enclosures in same tent) just to keep him on the same 12 hr day cycle and also help with humidity and heat.
Gecko temps have been sitting between 73-76 and humidity is looking good. Also got him to eat from my hand this morning waiting for my magnetic dishes to arrive later today so i can set those up.
I checked under his tale earlier this morning looked like a little bulge so i'm thinking you might be right about a male! I switched his loose substrate for towels just for a bit so I can tell if he's eating/pooping but he seemed to love that papaya pangea so shouldnt be a problem!

Thank you both @Megatron's Mom @Tom , very big help!