Gargoyle Gecko—
Rhacodactylus auriculatus
by: A1 Reptiles
Make sure a shallow dish with water is available at all times.
Unlike other gecko species this specie tends to eat a large amount of fruit.
Apricots, bananas, plums, etc., are all acceptable fruit items to feed.
Apricots being the highest in calcium.
Fresh fruit is always best but when not available I use a variety of
fruits contained in the baby food section of the grocery. Strained baby foods
store easily and are quite inexpensive. On occasion the Rhacodactylus will take
insects such as crickets, Madagascan roaches or mealworms. Mealworms should not
be given to animals less than six months of age. All foods should be dusted
with a calcium supplement. Foods should be dusted with a good vitamin supplement
two to three times monthly.
The Rhacodactylus ariculatus specie is found in New Caledonia and
is the smallest of the Rhacodactylus specie growing to a length of around five
inches.The Rhacodactylus specie is noted for the knobs on the roof of the skull
and large teeth. For this reason they have been nicknamed the Gargoyle Gecko.
Only one male should be placed in the enclosure. You may keep up to
four females with a single male in a 20 gallon aquarium of course.This specie
should be provided with a large enclosure. They are arboreal and branches
should be placed in the enclosure for climbing. This specie should also be
provided with a hide area that is slightly dampened. The females will be drawn
to this damp area to lay her eggs.This specie readily breeds in captivity and
is long lived (aprox. 20 year).
A substrate that may be used is a mixture of potting soil and
Canadian sphagnum peat moss. This specie does not require the high humidity
that other Rhacodactylus specie require. A daily misting of the substrate is
all that is required to keep the humidity levels in check.
Daytime temperatures should reach 85 degrees F with a nighttime
drop around 10 degrees F.
Breeding takes place in the fall with the first eggs being laid in
January or February.
Incubation temperature of the eggs should be from 83 degrees F to
85 degrees F. At this temperature you will produce both male and female
offspring. The best incubation medium to use is slightly dampened vermiculite.
Incubation time for the eggs is around fifty to sixty days.
Sex distinction is easy in this specie. The males have an obvious
swollen tailbase.