Key Takeaway:
- Gargoyle geckos have an incredibly long lifespan of 10 to 20 years depending on whether they are in the wild or captivity.
- Captive gargoyle geckos can live for up to 20 years while wild ones have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years.
- The lifespan of gargoyle geckos in the wild is affected by food scarcity, loss of habitat, weather changes, predation, parasites, and competition.
- The lifespan of pet gargoyle geckos is determined by diet, proper care, genetics, habitat, stress, and health.
- You can make your gargoyle gecko live longer by supplementing its diet with vitamin D3 & calcium, providing proper care, taking it to the vet, providing good habitat, giving it a resting period after breeding, and maintaining proper temperatures and humidity.
Does lifespan influence your decision when purchasing a pet? Well, it does for most pet enthusiasts! You want a pet that will live for as many years as possible, right?
In that case, a gargoyle gecko could be your best friend. These geckos can live up to 20 years when you treat them right.
If that intrigues you, keep reading to learn more about a gargoyle gecko’s lifespan.
How Long Do Gargoyle Gecko In The Wild Live?
There is not a lot of information regarding Gargoyle geckos’ life in the wild. As such, it’s difficult to determine the average lifespan of gargoyle geckos in the wild.
However, you don’t expect these geckos to live long due to the uncontrolled environment.
Wild gargoyle geckos can average a lifespan of 10 to 15 years at most. Some wild geckos may not even hit 10 years old due to harsh conditions and predators.
Factors That Affect Gargoyle Gecko’s Lifespan In The Wild
You are probably wondering why gargoyle geckos don’t live longer in the wild, right? Well, here are the factors that determine a gargoyle gecko’s lifespan in the wild:
Predation
A huge number of wild gargoyle geckos die due to predation. These reptiles are a delicacy for snakes, birds, rats, large geckos, fire ants, and other animals.
Baby gargoyle geckos can fall victim to these predators due to their inability to camouflage and hide. This explains why most geckos may not live for more than one year.
Food scarcity
Food availability isn’t guaranteed in the wild. Gargoyle geckos have to hunt for insects and forage for fruits.
Unfortunately, food provisions can be scarce and that could be a key reason why gargoyle geckos have a short lifespan in the wild.
Loss of Habitat
Human activities have been interfering with the forests where gargoyle geckos live. And as you’d expect, loss of habitat can cut short the life of these lovely geckos.
Competition
Competition for resources is quite high in the wild. Gargoyle geckos have to compete and fight for food, shelter, and water.
Unfortunately, increased competition for resources means that some geckos will die young.
Parasites & Diseases
Diseases and parasites are notorious for causing early deaths in gargoyle geckos.
Once parasites and diseases attack geckos, they have a low chance of survival. Besides, sick gargoyle geckos can access veterinary care in the wild.
Weather Changes
While gargoyle geckos may have adapted to their natural habitats, sometimes the weather changes can affect them.
For instance, if the temperatures increase drastically, geckos may die from dehydration, stress, and heat stroke.
These factors show that gargoyle geckos are vulnerable in the wild. This explains why the population of gargoyle geckos in New Caledonia is pretty low.
Gargoyle Gecko Lifespan in Captivity
The lifespan of a gargoyle gecko is pretty high in captivity. Most pet owners report an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years.
Therefore, you don’t have to fret about your pet gargoyle gecko dying young as long as you treat it right.
Gargoyle geckos in captivity live long due to controlled conditions, proper care, food availability, and access to vet care.
How To Make Your Gargoyle Gecko Live Longer As A Pet Or Captivity?
A long lifespan isn’t guaranteed for pet gargoyle geckos. However, you can make your gecko live longer by following the tips we’ve discussed below:
- Avoid housing your gargoyle geckos in one tank as they might fight and stress each other out.
- Don’t overbreed your female gargoyle gecko. Give it enough time to regain strength to prevent stress.
- Provide your gecko with a large enough enclosure.
- Maintain the right temperatures and humidity levels at all times.
- Monitor your gecko’s health and don’t hesitate to engage a vet if something is off with your gargoyle gecko.
- Always buy your gargoyle geckos from a reputable breeder. While at it, get to know the lineage of your geckos.
- Provide your gecko with a balanced diet and ensure you supplement it with vitamin D3 and calcium.
Factors That Affect Gargoyle Gecko’s Lifespan In Captivity?
Just like in the wild, your pet gargoyle gecko’s lifespan is determined by various factors. Here are some of the factors you should know:
Diet
Diet directly affects your gargoyle gecko’s health. So, if you provide a well-balanced diet, expect the gargoyle gecko to stay healthy and live as long as possible.
The trick is to replicate its diet in the wild. In this case, you should provide insects and fruits. While at it, ensure that the diet has calcium to prevent metabolic bone disease.
Enclosure
The type of housing you provide a gargoyle gecko can shorten or lengthen the lifespan.
Gargoyle geckos are arboreal and they love to climb. That said, you need an enclosure with plenty of vertical space.
A large enclosure allows the gecko to exercise freely. Besides, a good enclosure allows you to create the perfect temperature gradient for your gargoyle gecko.
Health
Good health is the key to a longer lifespan for all animal species. So, if you want to have your pet gargoyle gecko for many years, ensure you keep it healthy.
Ensure your gecko doesn’t have any external or internal parasites. Parasite infestations can lead to weight loss and anemia.
Unless you keep the parasites at bay, your gargoyle gecko might have a shorter lifespan.
Metabolic bone disease is yet another condition that might negatively affect your gecko’s lifespan.
Calcium deficiencies cause this condition. So, ensure you supplement your gargoyle gecko’s diet with calcium and vitamin D3.
Stress
Keeping your gecko happy will have a positive impact on its lifespan. You can do that by giving it the right diet, humidity, and temperature.
Additionally, you should avoid handling your gecko a lot as it might get stressed. A stressed gargoyle gecko may not live as long as you’d have wanted.
Genetics
The genetic makeup of a gargoyle gecko can determine if it will develop a disease. Some geckos may inherit specific genetic variations from their parents.
These genetic variations may increase the likelihood of the geckos developing diseases such as MBD.
Purchasing a gargoyle gecko with the right genetic makeup can save you a lot of trouble in the future. You don’t want to purchase a gecko with any genetic predispositions.
Proper Care
The care you give to a pet gargoyle gecko determines how long it will live. You must provide your gecko with proper care for it to stand a chance to a longer life.
Proper care means providing your gargoyle gecko with the right substrate, high humidity (60 to 70 percent), and warm temperatures of around 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Summary
Gargoyle geckos can enjoy a lifespan of 15 to 20 years if kept healthy and stress-free.
This should be enough time to spend with your pet gargoyle gecko. All you need is to keep the gecko well-fed, disease-free, and provide it with proper care.
