Care instructions for New Caledonian geckos
1. Species Crown gecko ( Correlophus ciliatus ) Gargoyle gecko ( Rhachodactylus auriculatus )
2. Full grown size Approx. 20 cm.
3. Expected life expectancy Approx. Ten years.
4. Recommended size and layout of facility or cage
The terrarium is constructed from a suitable material, e.g. glass or water-repellent fibreboard. The terrarium must have a size and layout that allows the animals to exhibit natural behavior. The geckos must have thick branches and the opportunity to hide during the day. For a couple or a trio, a terrarium with the dimensions L45 x W45 x H60 cm is recommended. The terrarium can be decorated with plants, cork bark and tree roots, the bottom layer can be simple with newspapers or loose such as unfertilized sphagnum. However, it is recommended that cubs are not kept on loose bedding before they are 6 months old. Fresh water and a bowl of lime, intended for reptiles, must always be available.
5. Special care needs, including special requirements for temperature conditions
The animals must be kept between 21-28 °C, a short sprinkling of water around the animals is recommended every/every other day.
6. Stimulation and need for exercise
The terrarium must be arranged so that the gecko can crawl and jump. When feeding with live and varied feed/feed items, a natural feed stimulus is ensured.
7. Feeding
The geckos eat soft/mast fruit (fruit puree, powder) and all kinds of non-poisonous insects and larvae. As a general rule, the feed must not be greater than the length between the animal's eyes. Fodder animals must also be fed varied to ensure a high nutritional content. The animals must have vitamin, calcium and mineral supplements adapted to twilight/nocturnal reptiles.
8. Social needs
The animals are solitary, but socially tolerant, and several animals can be kept together. You will often find them in the same place in the terrarium. Never keep 2 males in the same terrarium, as they will fight each other.
9. Propagation, brood care and possible neutralization
Crown and Gargoyle geckos can reproduce all year round and lay between 2 and 10 eggs (this is an approximate number). The female must have the opportunity to bury her eggs in a moist medium, e.g. unfertilized sphagnum. The children are approx. 5 cm when they hatch. The parents provide no brood care and can be cannibalistic. The young can fend for themselves from the time they hatch.
10. Typical signs of illness and reduced well-being
The healthy gecko is alert, has clear eyes without any kind of plaster or remnants of previous molting. The tail should be round and thick. The gate must be clean and the gecko's feces must be solid. Typical signs of illness are refusal to eat, runny and smelly stools. If the gecko is limp and inactive, this may be a sign of discomfort and/or parasites, which must be treated. First, check whether the facility/cage is set up appropriately. Take a stool sample and have it examined by your vet. If several animals are kept together, the symptomatic animal should be isolated. If parasites are suspected, all animals should be checked, as the risk of infection between animals is high.
These care instructions have been drawn up on the basis of information from the Nordic Herpetological Association ( www.nhf.dk ). The care instructions contain general information about the care of an animal species/animal group. Further information can be found in the library or on the above and other websites. The professional content of the care guide was approved by the Council regarding the keeping of special animals on 19 February 2014 in accordance with the executive order on commercial trade in animals.
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