Care sheet

Gargoyle Gecko

Rhacodactylus auriculatus

Also known as: Knob-headed Giant Gecko, New Caledonian Bumpy Gecko

Diplodactylidae · Squamata

BeginnerIUCN LC

Activity: 🌙 Nocturnal
Temperament: Docile
Adult length: 8–10 in
Adult weight: 45–80 g
Lifespan (captivity): 15–20 yrs
Native range: Southern Grande Terre, New Caledonia — humid subtropical forest and shrubland

Add as lizardPre-fills species + scientific name. You can change anything before saving.

Care guide

Overview

Gargoyle Gecko (Rhacodactylus auriculatus) — Close cousin of the crested gecko, often described as a 'crestie with a chunkier build and a calmer attitude'. Same room-temperature husbandry (never exceed 82°F), the same MRP-based diet, and the same vertically-oriented planted enclosure. Key differences from crested gecko: (1) Gargoyles regrow their tail after a drop — crested geckos do not. (2) Gargoyles are more insect-driven — plan on 1–2 insect meals per week instead of the crested's optional 0–1. (3) Gargoyles are cannibalistic toward smaller geckos and must be housed alone except for controlled breeding pairs. (4) Slightly drier humidity preference (50–70%) and a slightly larger adult size (45–80 g vs. the crested's 35–55 g). Temperament is usually calmer and less jumpy than a crestie.

Environment

Climate

Cool side

68–74 °F

Warm side

72–80 °F

Basking spot

78–82 °F

Nighttime

65–72 °F

Humidity (ambient)

50–70%

Shed-cycle boost

70–90%

Environment

UVB lighting

Required?

Optional / beneficial

Fixture type

T5 HO

Distance to basking

12–18 in

Replacement interval

Every 12 months

Housing

Enclosure

Orientation

Arboreal

Bioactive setup

Suitable

Minimum size by life stage

HatchlingKritter Keeper or 5-gallon equivalent (too large stresses young gargoyles)
Juvenile12"L x 12"W x 18"H minimum
Adult18"L x 18"W x 24"H (or 36"H for a planted bioactive vivarium)

Housing

Substrate

Depth

2–4 in

Safe options

coco fiber / topsoil blendbioactive mix with sphagnum topperpaper towel (quarantine)

Avoid

calcium sandwalnut shellcedarpine

Nutrition

Diet & feeding

Dietary type

Omnivore

Prey size by life stage

HatchlingPinhead crickets (rare treat)
Juvenile1/4" crickets, small dubia (1–2× per week)
AdultMedium crickets, dubia, hornworms (1–2× per week)

Feeding frequency by life stage

HatchlingMRP (Repashy, Pangea, Black Panther Zoological) nightly; insects 1× per week once feeding well
JuvenileMRP 3–5× per week; live insects 1–2× per week
AdultMRP 3× per week; live insects 1–2× per week

Prey ratio by body weight

Stage

Body weight

Prey (% BW)

Interval

Hatchling
up to 8 g
3–6%
1–2 days
Juvenile
9–25 g
3–6%
2–3 days
Subadult
26–50 g
2–5%
2–3 days
Adult
51 g+
2–4%
2–3 days

Feed prey roughly the listed percentage of the snake's current weight, at the listed interval. Use it as a starting point — adjust based on body condition, not the calendar.

Feeding thresholds

Typical hatchling weight

2–4 g

Power-feeding line

> 8% body weight

30-day weight-loss concern

> 10% in 30 days

Supplementation

Primary diet is a complete powdered gecko meal-replacement (MRP) — Repashy, Pangea, or Black Panther Zoological are the industry standards. Gargoyles are **more insect-driven than crested geckos** and visibly thrive on 1–2 insect meals per week in addition to the MRP staple. Dust insects with calcium (no D3 needed if MRP is the primary diet). No calcium dusting of MRP itself is necessary.

Care

Water & behavior

Water

Small bowl plus nightly misting — gargoyles drink from droplets on leaves and glass. Light evening mist on one side creates a brief humidity spike; the enclosure should dry through the day.

Defensive displays

tail drop (tail *does* regenerate, unlike crested geckos)biting (mild, but more willing than crested geckos)vocalizing (squeaks, barks)cannibalism toward smaller conspecifics — adults will eat hatchlings and juveniles

Legal & ecology

Conservation

IUCN Red List

LC · Least Concern

Wild populations

Endemic to southern Grande Terre and nearby islets in New Caledonia. Listed as Least Concern by IUCN (assessed 2011) with an estimated wild population exceeding 10,000 individuals. Captive population is large and genetically well-established; all animals in the pet trade should be captive-bred.

Genetics

Morphs

Morph market

Active

Complexity

Moderate

Citations

Sources

Every husbandry parameter on this page is backed by the references below. Click through to read the originals.

Gargoyle Gecko Care Sheet
ReptiFiles
breeder community
Keeper reference for Rhacodactylus auriculatus with veterinary cross-referenced husbandry ranges.
Published: 2023-01-01
Gargoyle Gecko Care Sheet
Reptiles Magazine
breeder community
Industry magazine husbandry reference for Rhacodactylus auriculatus.
Published: 2022-01-01
Gargoyle Gecko Care Sheet and Bioactive Terrarium Maintenance
The Bio Dude
breeder community
Bioactive-focused husbandry reference for Rhacodactylus auriculatus from a major substrate and vivarium industry supplier.
Published: 2023-01-01