Crafting the Optimal Diet for Gargoyle Geckos
The gargoyle gecko (Rhacodactylus auriculatus) is a uniquely beautiful lizard that makes for a fascinating and rewarding pet. However, properly caring for gargoyle geckos requires paying close attention to their dietary needs and preferences.
In the wild, these geckos eat a diverse combination of insects, fruit, and other foods. Replicating an appropriate varied diet in captivity is essential to keep gargoyle geckos healthy and thriving. This guide will cover everything you need to know about the ideal diet for gargoyle geckos.
We’ll discuss key nutrients gargoyle geckos require, feeding guidelines, suitable foods to offer, proper supplementation, potential health issues, and tips for providing a complete, balanced diet. Whether you’re a new or experienced gargoyle gecko owner, read on for the latest recommendations to help your gecko thrive.
Understanding Gargoyle Gecko Nutrition
In their native tropical forests, gargoyle geckos enjoy access to a smorgasbord of different food items. Their dietary needs reflect the diversity of their wild diet:
- Insects: Crickets, roaches, moths and other invertebrates make up the bulk of their nutrition. This provides protein, fat and trace nutrients.
- Fruit: Figs, papaya, banana and other fruits offer carbohydrates and fiber.
- Nectar: Licking nectar from rainforest flowers provides quick energy.
- Calcium: Abundant in the bones of their prey to support healthy bones.
- Vitamin D3: Obtained from UVB exposure, critical for calcium metabolism.
Feeding a mixed diet supports all their nutritional demands in captivity.
| Meal/Feeding | Frequency | Quantity |
| Pre-made food mixes | Every other day | As directed on packaging |
| Insects | Every other day for juveniles, 2x/week for adults | 2-3 appropriately sized insects |
| Fresh fruit | As a supplement | Small amount, once or twice a week |
Gargoyle Gecko Feeding Guidelines
When caring for a pet gargoyle gecko, follow these basic feeding guidelines:
- Insects: Offer 2-3 times weekly. Crickets, roaches, moths and worms are excellent choices.
- Fruits/Nectar: Provide approximately 1-2 times weekly in small amounts.
- Juveniles: Feed every day. Offer 6-8 appropriately sized insects nightly.
- Adults: Feed 3 times per week. Offer 8-10 appropriately sized insects.
- Insect Size: Feed insects no larger than space between a gecko’s eyes.
- Supplements: Dust insects with calcium and vitamin D3 at every feeding.
Following precise guidelines prevents over or underfeeding.
Recommended Foods for Gargoyle Geckos
When selecting feeder insects and produce, opt for these suitable foods:
Insects:
- Crickets
- Roaches
- Mealworms
- Waxworms
- Moths
Fruits/Nectar:
- Mashed banana
- Papaya
- Mango
- Fig
- Baby food fruits
Other:
- Pollen
- Honey
- Plain yogurt
Offer variety for balanced nutrition. Be cautious of potential choking hazards from large feeders.
The Importance of Proper Calcium and Vitamin D3
Since gargoyle geckos are prone to metabolic bone disease without proper supplementation, providing adequate calcium and vitamin D3 is critical:
- Calcium: Necessary for proper bone formation and development. Dust insects at every feeding.
- Vitamin D3: Allows calcium absorption. Use UVB lighting and D3 supplements.
- Calcium Powders: Repashy SuperCal, ZooMed ReptiCalcium and other brands formulated for geckos.
- Vitamin Powders: Repashy SuperVit, ZooMed ReptiVite multivitamin powder.
With attentive supplementation, gargoyle geckos can enjoy excellent skeletal health and avoid nutritional deficiencies.
Creating a Feeding Schedule
To stay organized and ensure your gargoyle gecko remains fed, create a routine feeding schedule:
- Juveniles: Feed daily. Offer 6-8 prey items like small crickets or mealworms nightly, dusted with supplements.
- Adults: Feed insects approximately 3 times per week. Provide 8-10 appropriately sized feeders each session, gutloaded and dusted.
- Vary diet: Include different insect species. Offer nectar or fruit 1-2 times weekly.
- Soaked insects: Mist feeder insects before feeding to increase hydration.
- Overnight: Remove any uneaten insects by morning to prevent spoilage and pests.
A consistent, thoughtful feeding routine provides ideal nutrition.
Tips for Offering a Balanced Diet
Follow these tips to round out your gargoyle gecko’s captive diet:
- Gutload feeder insects with nutritious grains, fruits and vegetables to boost their nutritional value.
- Purchase varied feeders like crickets, mealworms, waxworms and roaches for diversity.
- Allow geckos to hunt insects you release into the enclosure to encourage natural behaviors.
- Lightly dust insects with supplements immediately before feeding for maximum nutrient adherence.
- Provide water: Ensure fresh, clean water for proper hydration.
- Fruits: Offer diluted, low-sugar fruits like figs, papaya and banana.
With attentive care and technique, you can recreate the varied wild diet of gargoyle geckos.
Common Gargoyle Gecko Feeding Mistakes
Just as important as what to feed is being aware of these feeding mistakes to avoid:
- Offering too many fruits high in phosphorus and sugar.
- Feeding only 1 or 2 feeder insect species instead of variety.
- Using supplements made for other reptiles instead of gecko-specific ones.
- Neglecting to regularly replace old or expired supplements.
- Leaving insects in the enclosure overnight that perish before being eaten.
- Allowing calcium/vitamin D3 ratios to become too skewed over time.
- Feeding too many insects at once instead of spreading out feedings.
With attentive care and planning, these pitfalls can be easily avoided.
Supplements for Gargoyle Gecko Health
In addition to standard supplements, these extras support gargoyle gecko health:
- General multivitamins: Boost overall nutrition 1-2 times monthly.
- Calcium-only supplements: Provide alternate calcium source for variety.
- Digestive aids: Help digestive function and nutrient absorption.
- Probiotics: Promote good gut health and digestive microbes.
Discuss extra supplements with an exotic vet or nutritionist for appropriateness. Use only reputable, commercial products designed specifically for geckos.
Conclusion
The ideal diet for gargoyle geckos centers on variety, thoughtful planning and attentive supplementation. Provide a diverse mix of gut loaded insects coupled with nectar and fruits. Follow precise feeding guidelines based on life stage. Dust all insects with calcium and vitamin D3 at every meal. Avoid common feeding pitfalls through careful husbandry. With an optimal, balanced diet, your gargoyle gecko can enjoy excellent health and thrive for many years to come.