What size enclosure is best for my gecko?
Should the tank be glass, screened, or both?
What are the best temperatures for the tank? How should I heat it?
I just got my gecko and it’s not eating. What should I do?
What should I feed it and how often?
How often should I mist my tank?
What is the best way to pick it up?
How often should I handle it and for how long?
What size enclosure is best for my gecko?
Minimum enclosure size for a single adult should be around 20 gallons (16″ x 12″ x 24″); 30 gallons (18″ x 18″ x 24″) for an adult pair.
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Should the tank be glass, screened, or both?
In most cases a vertically orientated glass enclosure is better than screen. Humidity levels are much easier to maintain.
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What are the best temperatures for the tank? How should I heat it?
Average household temperatures are usually fine, 68 – 82°F. If a heat source is desired or needed, an overhead light should be put on a thermostat and set so the basking temperatures under the light are aound 80 – 83°F
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I just got my gecko and it’s not eating. What should I do?
Be patient! In most cases it will take about two weeks for a newly acquired gecko to settle in and start feeding regularly. During this time it is very important you handle your new gecko as little as possible and only when necessary. Oh, and be patient.
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What should I feed it and how often?
The best staple food is the Repashy Crested Gecko Diet. Most keepers make it available at all times. Once mixed up and placed in the enclosure, it usually stays good for two or three days before needing to be replaced. I personally feel bugs are also essential to all my rhacs and they are fed at least once a week.
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How often should I mist my tank?
Enough to keep your relative humidity at 50 percent and preferably up to 70 percent without leaving the enclosure soaked.
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What is the best way to pick it up?
Let it climb onto your hand instead of grasping.
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How often should I handle it and for how long?
Once they are settled in and feeding regularly, you can introduce your gecko to handling a little at a time. Five minutes of handling per day for the first few weeks is sufficient to allow our gecko to become used to you and to become less jumpy. Once they are comfortable with you, you can begin to handle them more.
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How often should I clean my tank?
It really depends on the type of setup, size of the enclosure and the size of the animal or animals. Clean it when it’s visually dirty.
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My gecko is making noises. What does it mean?
Rhacodactylus geckos are very vocal. Not sure what it means but it’s completely normal.
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What kind of insects are best?
House crickets and Dubia roaches are commonly available and the most nutritious.
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How long will it live?
Under proper care, Rhacodactylus geckos have the potential to be very long lived geckos—up to and over 15 years!
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Can I mix or house multiple animals together?
Rhacodactylus geckos can be kept individually or in small groups containing only one male per enclosure. Males cannot be housed together. It’s best not to mix species.
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Do I need special lighting?
No
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What substrate should I use?
When it comes to the substrate in your enclosure, many people have varied opinions on which is the best to use. For a simple setup, acclimation or quarantine period, I’d recommend paper towel or newspaper only. For a more naturalistic appearance, a peat moss and soil mixture works very well.
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Do they bite?
Gargoyle Geckos are known for being very easy to handle. Some may gape their mouths when first picked up and they can bite, but generally do not.
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Water dish or misting?
Gargoyle Geckos do enjoy moderate humidity and the occasional misting, but they should not be kept wet. A dish with fresh water should always be available.
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