Gargoyle Gecko Diet: Everything covered

 

Introduction:

 

Gargoyle geckos, like all animals, need a balanced diet to stay healthy. In this guide, we'll talk about the foods they eat and their diet along with things to avoid and things to provide.

Dietary Needs of Gargoyle Geckos

Nutritional Requirements:

Gargoyle geckos need a balanced diet to stay healthy in captivity. They need a mix of protein, vitamins, and minerals to help them grow, stay energetic, and be healthy overall. Calcium and vitamin D3 are super important for their bones and to avoid metabolic bone disease, which is a common problem for reptiles kept as pets.

Importance of Calcium and Vitamin D3:

Calcium is really important for making bones and muscles strong, and vitamin D3 helps gargoyle geckos use calcium well. If they don't get enough of these nutrients, they could end up with bent bones and other health issues. So, it's really important to make sure they get plenty of both through what they eat and any supplements they might need.

Safe and suitable foods to feed

Insects:

Out in the wild, gargoyle geckos mostly eat insects to meet their dietary requirement these are some insects you must have to include in their diet.

• Crickets
• Dubia roaches
• Mealworms
• Superworms
• Black soldier fly larvae (Phoenix worms)
• Waxworms
• Silkworms
• Butterworms
• Hornworms
• Red runner roaches
• Grasshoppers
• Locusts
• Fruit flies
• Houseflies
• Blue bottle flies
• Earthworms (small ones)
• Pinhead crickets (for juveniles)
• Bean beetles
• Isopods (woodlice)
• Springtails

Fruits:

Besides insects, gargoyle geckos also eat fruits in the wild. We can give them these fruits;-

• Mashed bananas
• Apricots
• Mangoes
• Papayas
• Figs
• Blueberries
• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• Blackberries
• Apples (remove seeds and core)
• Pears
• Peaches
• Kiwi
• Watermelon
• Cantaloupe
• Honeydew melon
• Grapes (seedless)
• Cherries (pitted)
• Guava
• Pineapple

Vegetables:

You can also give them vegetables, here's a list of some leafy greens and vegetables that you can offer as part of a varied diet for your gargoyle gecko:

• Collard greens
• Mustard greens
• Dandelion greens
• Kale (in moderation)
• Romaine lettuce (in moderation)
• Spinach (in moderation)
• Swiss chard
• Turnip greens
• Endive
• Escarole
• Arugula
• Watercress
• Cilantro
• Parsley
• Basil
• Mint
• Bok choy
• Bell peppers (red, yellow, green)
• Carrots (grated or finely chopped)
• Squash (butternut, acorn, or zucchini)

Foods to Avoid

While there are many suitable foods for gargoyle geckos, there are also some items that should be avoided due to potential health risks. Here are some foods to steer clear of when feeding your gargoyle gecko:

Toxic Plants:

Avoid feeding any plants or insects that may be toxic to gargoyle geckos. This includes certain types of houseplants, wild-caught insects from areas with pesticide use, and insects that are known to be toxic to reptiles.

High-Fat Foods:

Foods high in fat, such as fatty meats or processed foods, should be avoided as they can lead to obesity and other health issues in gargoyle geckos.

Fruits:

Fruits are good in diet of gargoyle geckos but these are some fruits to avoid to feed them;

• Oranges
• Lemons
• Grapefruits
• Limes
• Tangerines
• Clementines
• Mandarins
• Pomelos
• Seville oranges
• Kumquats

Vegetables:

These are some vegetables to not to feed gargoyle geckos;

• Onions
• Garlic
• Leeks
• Shallots
• Chives
• Rhubarb (leaves and stems)
• Potatoes (raw or green parts)
• Avocado (fruit and pits)
• Tomato leaves and stems (while the fruit is safe in moderation, the other parts of the plant are toxic)
• Spinach (in excessive amounts due to its high oxalic acid content)

Insects Treated with Pesticides:

Feeding insects that have been exposed to pesticides or other chemicals can be harmful to gargoyle geckos. Stick to commercially bred feeder insects to minimize this risk.

Large Prey Items:

Avoid offering prey items that are too large for your gargoyle gecko to consume safely. Large prey items can cause choking or impaction if ingested whole.

Processed Foods:

Processed foods, such as sugary snacks or human junk food, should not be offered to gargoyle geckos. Stick to natural, whole foods to ensure your gecko receives the nutrients it needs.

Feeding Schedule and amount to feed

Feeding Schedule:

It's really important to have a regular feeding schedule to keep your gargoyle gecko healthy and happy. Usually, adult geckos should get food every other day, but young ones might need to eat every day. By sticking to a consistent feeding routine, you can make sure your gecko gets all the nutrients it needs without eating too much or too little.

Food amount:

When you're giving food to your gargoyle gecko, think about how big it is, how old it is, and how active it is. A good rule is to give it food that's not bigger than its head. If you feed it too much, it could get overweight and have health problems. But if you don't give it enough food, it might not grow right and could be malnourished. Keeping an eye on its weight and adjusting how much you feed it can help make sure it stays healthy.

Hydration and Water Needs

Water Source: Provide your gargoyle gecko with a shallow dish of clean, fresh water at all times. It's essential to regularly clean and refill the water dish to prevent bacterial growth and ensure your gecko has access to clean drinking water. Place the water dish in a location within the enclosure where it won't easily be contaminated by substrate or feces.

Hydration:

Even though gargoyle geckos get a lot of their water from their food, especially watery fruits, it's still really important to have water available for them. Keep an eye on your gecko to see if it's drinking water regularly from its dish. If you see signs that it might be dehydrated, like its eyes looking sunken or its skin getting wrinkled, you can spray some water in its enclosure to make it more humid and encourage it to drink.

Potential Dietary Issues and Solutions

Refusal to Eat:

If your gargoyle gecko doesn't want to eat, it might be because it's stressed, the conditions in its home aren't right, or it's sick. Check if the temperature, humidity, and lighting in its enclosure are good for gargoyle geckos. Try giving it different kinds of food to see if it likes any of them. If it still won't eat, it's a good idea to talk to a vet for help.

Obesity:

Feeding too much can make gargoyle geckos overweight, which can cause health issues like fatty liver disease. Keep an eye on your gecko's body shape and give it the right amount of food to avoid overfeeding. Let it move around and explore its enclosure to stay active and healthy.

Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD):

Metabolic bone disease is a big problem for pet reptiles like gargoyle geckos, and it usually happens because they don't get enough calcium and vitamin D3. Make sure your gecko's food has plenty of calcium and vitamin D3, and give it supplements if it needs them. Watch out for signs like being tired a lot, shaking, or having bent bones, and if you see any of these, take it to the vet for help.

Thanks!