Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I am doing some research and looking into the care of these species. Can someone tell me the main differences between gargoyles and cresteds?

I have read that gargoyles need more protein, but would they be ok if fed exclusively on the crested's powdered formula? Also, how crucial is humidity for both sp.? It gets pretty arid where I live.

As for adult size, which gecko would be larger/heavier? Are both species communal as well.

For the most part, the care requirements for both species is the same. Gargoyle geckos do well on crested gecko diet, in fact I think Superfoods no longer sells a separate diet for each...or at least not in all sizes. Either way I raised gargoyles on crested gecko diet without any problems or noticeable difference in growth.

I can't remember the average adult weights/sizes for the two species...but I think it is the Crested gecko that gets a little bigger/heavier...but its not by a large margin.

Gargoyle geckos tend to be more territorial than Crested gecko so if they are set up in a group, make sure they have plenty of room and many visual barriers. Multiple food and water bowls is necessary as well. Keep in mind that crested geckos can drop their tails if kept in large groups or with gargoyles...and they won't grow it back. However crested geckos are not at all hampered or harmed by a tail loss. In fact in the wild, it is very rare to even see adult crested geckos with intact tails and may even put strain on their pelvic bones if they retain it throughout adulthood. Gargoyle geckos will regrow their tails but the regrown one is often not as nice or large as the original.

Humidity is the same for both species...and its not really hard to maintain...even in very dry environments. Just make sure the cage you are keeping them in doesn't have a screen top or alot of screen overall. Clear acrylic or the Exo Terre terrariums are great for both species...as they are glass, have small vents and vertical oriented (ie more vertical space than your typical glass fish tank). Keeping humidity in these style tanks won't be difficult. A daily misting is often all you need to do. I kept my geckos in 55 litre sterlite containers....with a few holes drilled along the sides and lids. My apartment often had as little as 5% humidity during the winter...but it was no problem to keep humidity in the correct range for these geckos. I mist the cage heavily in the afternoon, an hour or so before the geckos wake up and often the following morning, there is still droplets of water on the walls. You do want the cage to dry out completely before misting again.

A good range for humidity is between 50-70% on average...and its alright to have humidity a little higher or lower for a few days or a few hours after doing a heavy misting. If you see any trouble with sheds, mist more often or provide a humid hide.
-----
PHLdyPayne

Forum Princess

Thanks for answering all of my questions. I will probably stick with a crested gecko.