Gargoyle geckos are relatively straightforward pets to care for in captivity and should be fed a diet consisting of fruits and insects for optimal health in their captive environments.
Feeder insects that can be used include black soldier fly larvae, wax worms and dubia roaches; it is essential that these be dusted with calcium powder and vitamin supplements prior to being released into their environments.
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Insects
Gargoyle geckos possess long tongues and powerful jaws to snag insects. Additionally, these reptiles possess sticky pads on their toes for attaching themselves securely onto walls and ceilings while searching for prey.
These lizards are omnivores and feed on both fruit and insects in the wild, so providing them with a variety of food to maintain a balanced and varied diet in captivity is vital.
Feed them live crickets, mealworms, waxworms and dubia roaches as well as commercial fruits and vegetables to increase the nutritional content. Supplement these live foods with multivitamins and calcium powder for even greater nutritive benefit.
Gargoyle geckos require not only an insect diet rich in quality insects but also a large tank with enough hiding spaces and an UVB light specifically made for reptiles to promote optimal health. UVB lights promote increased appetite and activity as well as helping them absorb vitamins D through their skin.
Fruit
Gargoyle geckos inhabit tropical rainforests, so their natural diet consists of various plants and animals. When living in captivity, it’s important to offer fruits as treats on occasion and use high-quality prepared gecko mix that offers optimal nutrition balance.
Papaya is an ideal food choice for geckos, as its high ratio of calcium to phosphorous makes it low acidity. Mangoes also make great treats!
Be cautious not to provide too much fruit, as too much could lead to dehydration and overnutrition. Furthermore, do not feed your gargoyle gecko fruit that contains seeds, pits or peels as these items can block their digestive tract causing health issues for them.
Vegetables
Adult gargoyle geckos do not need insects for essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrients; instead they can be fed a tropical fruit mix 2-3 times each week that contains foods high in calcium such as papayas and black berries – be sure to find one with added vitamin D3 and calcium (like Repashy SuperCal or Arcadia Calcium Pro Mg).
Apple, pear, and other stone fruit seeds should not be fed to pets as these contain amygdalin which, when digested, turns to hydrocyanic acid and can have serious and lasting calcifying consequences. Furthermore, some varieties contain oxalic acid which interferes with calcium absorption by binding it together into calcium oxalate compounds which inhibit absorption resulting in severe and long-term impacts on bone health.
Milk
Gargoyle geckos can be fed both whole and skim milk products, which contain protein and fat for proper nourishment. Skim milk provides higher fat levels that help the skin shed faster.
Live crickets can make an excellent source of food, and should be gutloaded several days prior to giving them to your reptile (or purchased pregutloaded from its breeder). As an alternative, try using Repashy Bug Burger or Arcadia InsectFuel instead.
Blackberries are another excellent way to increase your vitamin C consumption while simultaneously decreasing oxalates levels. Incorporating Repashy CalciumPro Mg or Miner-All Outdoor calcium powder onto feeder insects will also help counterbalance their high concentration of phosphorus content.
Eggs
Gargoyle geckos are popular reptiles due to their docile, engaging nature and wide array of colors. While most will not bite when handled by someone unfamiliar with them, some can bite if handled by those unfamiliar with them.
Gargoyles are omnivorous animals; in the wild they consume both animal and plant matter on a regular basis, from fruits to insects, pollen and flowers.
Gecko diets typically consist of tropical fruits such as mangoes that are high in calcium. You should, however, avoid feeding apples or pears, which contain amygdalin which when digested turns into hydrogen cyanide – this also applies to stone fruits such as peaches and apricots which contain pits with this chemical compound.
