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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

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.

  1. Gargoyle Gecko Care Sheet

    ReptiFiles

    breeder community

    Keeper reference for Rhacodactylus auriculatus with veterinary cross-referenced husbandry ranges.

    Published: 2023-01-01

  2. Gargoyle Gecko Care Sheet

    Reptiles Magazine

    breeder community

    Industry magazine husbandry reference for Rhacodactylus auriculatus.

    Published: 2022-01-01

  3. 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