Gargoyle Gecko (Rhacodactylus auriculatus)
The Gargoyle Gecko is an arboreal gecko native to New Caledonia. Named for the distinctive bony projections on its head, this species has become increasingly popular in captivity due to its striking appearance, manageable size and relatively straightforward husbandry.
Gargoyle Geckos occur in a variety of colours and patterns, including striped, reticulated and blotched animals, often displaying vivid red or orange markings. Like several other New Caledonian geckos, their colouration can change in intensity as they “fire up” and “fire down”.
Although generally hardy when maintained correctly, they require appropriate temperatures, humidity cycles, nutrition and a well-structured arboreal environment.
Quick Facts
Scientific name: Rhacodactylus auriculatus
Common name: Gargoyle Gecko
Family: Diplodactylidae
Origin: New Caledonia
Adult size: Approximately 18–25 cm (7–10 in) total length
Lifespan: Commonly 15–20+ years with appropriate care
Activity: Primarily nocturnal/crepuscular
Diet: Omnivorous
Temperament: Generally calm but individuals vary
Experience level: Beginner to intermediate
Natural History
Rhacodactylus auriculatus is endemic to New Caledonia, particularly the southern portion of Grande Terre.
The species inhabits forest, scrub and maquis vegetation and spends much of its time above ground among shrubs, branches and vegetation.
Gargoyle Geckos are primarily active during the evening and night. Their natural diet includes fruit and other plant material alongside insects and other small animal prey.
They are capable climbers but, compared with some other arboreal geckos, can be relatively robust in build. Their enclosure should therefore provide numerous sturdy horizontal, diagonal and vertical climbing surfaces.
Enclosure
Gargoyle Geckos require a vertically orientated enclosure that provides substantial climbing space.
For one adult, approximately:
45 × 45 × 60 cm (18 × 18 × 24 in)
should be regarded as a practical minimum, with larger and particularly taller enclosures strongly encouraged.
The enclosure should be secure and well ventilated while still allowing appropriate humidity to be maintained.
Provide:
- Cork bark
- Sturdy branches
- Vines
- Live or artificial foliage
- Elevated hiding areas
- Multiple climbing routes
- Feeding ledges
- Shaded retreats
Dense planting and visual cover allow the gecko to move around the enclosure without constantly being exposed.
Gargoyle Geckos are best housed individually. Males can be highly territorial, while females may also compete or injure one another. Permanent male/female housing can expose females to repeated breeding and unnecessary stress.
Temperature & Heating
Gargoyle Geckos prefer moderate temperatures and are considerably less tolerant of excessive heat than many commonly kept reptiles.
A suitable general range is:
Daytime ambient: 22–26°C
Gentle basking area: approximately 27–29°C
Night: approximately 18–22°C
A temperature gradient should always be provided so the gecko can regulate its own body temperature.
Prolonged temperatures above approximately 29°C should be avoided.
Depending on room temperature, additional heating may not always be necessary. Where heating is required, an appropriately sized overhead heat source can provide a gentle warm area.
All heat sources must be controlled by a suitable thermostat.
Temperatures should be monitored using reliable digital thermometers, with measurements taken at different heights within the enclosure.
Lighting & UVB
Provide a consistent day/night cycle of approximately 10–12 hours of light per day, adjusted slightly seasonally if desired.
Although Gargoyle Geckos are primarily nocturnal and have historically been maintained without UVB, providing low-level UVB is recommended where possible.
A suitable low-output UVB system can provide approximately:
UVI 0.5–1.0 in the upper exposed areas
while dense foliage and hides should allow the gecko to retreat into areas receiving little or no UV exposure.
UVB strength depends on the lamp, reflector, mesh and distance between the lamp and animal, so manufacturer distance recommendations should be followed.
Never use coloured night bulbs to provide nighttime illumination. Darkness should be maintained at night.
Humidity & Hydration
Gargoyle Geckos benefit from a natural humidity cycle rather than permanently high humidity.
A useful target is approximately:
50–60% during the drier period
rising temporarily to approximately:
70–90% following misting.
The enclosure should then be allowed to partially dry before the next substantial misting.
Constantly saturated conditions combined with poor ventilation can encourage bacterial and fungal growth and may contribute to health problems.
Evening misting is particularly useful because it coincides with the gecko becoming active.
Provide a clean shallow water dish at all times, even though many individuals readily drink droplets from leaves, branches and enclosure surfaces.
Good ventilation remains essential.
Substrate
Suitable substrates include:
- Reptile-safe soil mixtures
- Coconut-based substrate
- Orchid bark
- Bioactive tropical substrate mixtures
- Soil/bark combinations
A drainage layer may be useful in heavily planted or bioactive enclosures.
Leaf litter can provide additional cover and enrichment while supporting a bioactive clean-up crew.
Paper towel is useful during quarantine or when monitoring a new or unwell animal.
Avoid substrates containing:
- Cedar
- Pine
- Artificial fertilisers
- Pesticides
- Sharp particles
- Calcium sand
Substrate should remain slightly moisture-retentive without becoming permanently waterlogged.
Furnishing & Enrichment
Gargoyle Geckos should be provided with a complex three-dimensional environment.
Use branches of different diameters and orientations rather than relying entirely on thin vines.
Cork tubes and broad pieces of cork bark provide particularly useful resting and hiding areas.
Live plants can provide excellent cover and assist with maintaining environmental humidity. Suitable robust plants may include pothos, philodendron, schefflera and similar reptile-safe tropical species.
Changing or adding climbing routes occasionally can provide environmental enrichment, although major enclosure changes should not be made unnecessarily.
Diet
Gargoyle Geckos are omnivorous.
A nutritionally complete commercial powdered diet formulated for Crested Geckos and other New Caledonian geckos can form the foundation of the captive diet.
Prepare the diet according to the manufacturer’s instructions and offer it from an elevated feeding ledge.
Live insects should also be offered regularly.
Suitable feeders include:
- Crickets
- Locusts
- Appropriately sized roaches
- Black soldier fly larvae
- Silkworms
Occasional higher-fat feeders such as waxworms should be used sparingly.
Feeder insects should be appropriately gut-loaded before being offered.
Adults can generally be offered prepared gecko diet several times per week, with insects incorporated into the feeding schedule according to body condition and activity.
Juveniles require more frequent access to food because of their growth requirements.
Fresh prepared food should not be left in the enclosure long enough to spoil.
Calcium & Supplementation
Correct supplementation depends partly upon the prepared diet being used and whether UVB is provided.
A complete commercial gecko diet should not have additional supplements routinely mixed into it unless recommended by the manufacturer.
Live insects should normally be lightly dusted with an appropriate calcium supplement.
Where UVB is provided, excessive dietary vitamin D3 supplementation should be avoided.
Growing juveniles and reproductive females have particularly significant calcium requirements.
Handling
Many Gargoyle Geckos become tolerant of gentle handling, although individuals vary considerably.
Allow newly acquired animals time to settle before introducing routine handling.
When handling:
- Allow the gecko to walk between your hands
- Keep handling sessions short initially
- Avoid restraining the animal unnecessarily
- Handle close to the ground or another safe surface
- Never grab the tail
Gargoyle Geckos can jump suddenly.
They are also capable of dropping their tail when frightened or restrained. Unlike Crested Geckos, Gargoyle Geckos are capable of regenerating a lost tail, although the regenerated tail will not be identical to the original.
Shedding
Healthy Gargoyle Geckos usually shed without assistance and commonly consume the shed skin.
Retained shed is most likely to occur around:
- Toes
- Feet
- Tail
- Eyes
Repeated shedding difficulties may indicate inadequate hydration, inappropriate humidity, nutritional problems or underlying illness.
Maintaining the correct humidity cycle and providing textured surfaces helps facilitate normal shedding.
Health
Common husbandry-related concerns include:
- Metabolic bone disease
- Calcium deficiency
- Obesity
- Dehydration
- Retained shed
- Parasites
- Respiratory disease
- Injury from enclosure mates
- Egg-binding or reproductive problems in females
Signs requiring investigation include:
- Persistent refusal to feed
- Significant weight loss
- Weakness
- Tremors
- Soft or abnormal jaw structure
- Swollen limbs
- Difficulty climbing
- Abnormal faeces
- Persistent retained shed
- Discharge from the nose, mouth or eyes
- Laboured or noisy breathing
Regular weighing can help identify changes in body condition before they become visually obvious.
A suitably experienced reptile/exotic veterinarian should assess animals showing persistent or serious symptoms.
Breeding
Gargoyle Geckos breed readily in captivity, but breeding should only be undertaken with healthy, mature animals.
Females can lay multiple clutches during a breeding season, typically producing two eggs per clutch, although single-egg clutches can occur.
Females require excellent nutrition and sufficient calcium reserves before and throughout reproduction.
A suitable laying area containing moist substrate should always be available to reproductive females.
Repeated breeding can place considerable nutritional demands on females, and males and females do not need to be permanently housed together.
Eggs are generally incubated in a stable, moderately warm environment rather than at high temperatures.
Breeders should research incubation and neonatal husbandry thoroughly before pairing animals.
Responsible Keeping
Gargoyle Geckos can live for well over a decade and should therefore be considered a long-term commitment.
Prospective keepers should ensure they can provide:
- Suitable adult-sized arboreal accommodation
- Correct environmental control
- Appropriate nutrition
- Veterinary care when necessary
- Long-term care throughout the animal’s lifespan
Captive-bred animals should always be selected wherever possible.
Never release a captive reptile into the wild.
Summary
The Gargoyle Gecko is a hardy and fascinating New Caledonian gecko when its environmental requirements are properly understood.
Successful long-term husbandry depends on providing a tall, densely furnished enclosure, moderate temperatures, a daily humidity cycle, low-level UVB, appropriate supplementation and a varied omnivorous diet.
Their relatively manageable size and generally calm nature make them suitable for many keepers, but their long lifespan and environmental requirements should not be underestimated.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This care sheet provides general husbandry guidance and does not replace species-specific research or veterinary advice. Individual requirements may vary.
If you have concerns about an animal’s health or care, consult a suitably experienced exotic or reptile veterinarian.
Information correct at the date of publication.
reptilecommunity.com | Revised: August 2026