Key Takeaway:
- Never keep hatchling gargoyle geckos in the same enclosure.
- Never keep two male gargoyle geckos in the same enclosure.
- Ensure that the enclosure is of the right size when housing multiple gargoyle geckos together.
Do you wonder if gargoyle geckos can live together? Here’s what you need know about the potential problems that can arise when multiple gargoyle geckos are cohabiting.
Can Gargoyle Geckos Live Together?
There are mixed opinions in the gargoyle gecko community about whether gargoyle geckos can or should cohabitate.
But with some adjustments, in some cases, it is possible for gargoyle geckos to live together.
Let us look into both sides of the debate to get a better understanding of whether gargoyle geckos can live in the same cage:
Arguments In Favour of Gargoyle Gecko Cohabitation:
- In the wild, gargoyle geckos are known to often occupy the same tree. While they may not always hang out together on the same branch, living on the same tree means gargoyle geckos must cross paths often. If they are able to coexist on the same tree despite crossing paths, it indicates that if ample space is provided in the cage, gargoyle geckos can live together in a friendly and non-threatening way.
- For breeding purposes, the male and female gargoyle geckos are kept in the same cage. So, the cohabitation of gargoyle geckos does happen on a frequent basis.
Arguments Against Gargoyle Gecko Cohabitation:
- Male gargoyle geckos get territorial and will fight to assert dominance.
- Male gargoyle geckos may attack or become threatening for the female gargoyle geckos if left unsupervised.
- Gargoyle geckos may become hostile toward each other if they have to compete for limited resources in a cage.
Are Gargoyle Geckos Solitary In Nature?
Yes, gargoyle geckos are solitary in nature, but not as much as crested geckos.
To add some context to this comparison, crested geckos are so solitary in nature that they tend to get hostile even if they cross paths with each other in the wild.
Gargoyle geckos are not so solitary in nature. They don’t get hostile frequently upon crossing paths.
Sometimes, in the wild, gargoyle geckos are also known to coexist on the same tree. So, they may not socialize, but they are also not completely anti-social.
However, gargoyle geckos do not enjoy being forced into the company of other gargoyle geckos, or any other geckos for that matter.
They don’t mind some other gargoyle gecko coexisting separately – but they don’t like actively being in the company of a social group.
Potential Gargoyle Gecko Pairings In An Enclosure
The potential safe pairings of gargoyle geckos in a single enclosure are:
Two or more female gargoyle geckos
Female gargoyle geckos will not be a threat to each other as long as they don’t have to compete for resources or cross paths often.
Young gargoyle geckos
Young gargoyle geckos can be housed in the same enclosure. This may even make them more social and tolerant of the presence of other gargoyle geckos around them.
Just ensure that there is no lack of resources for any of the cohabitating young gargoyle geckos.
Tips On Keeping Gargoyle Geckos Together
If you want to house multiple gargoyle geckos in the same enclosure, the following tips will help you do so with safety and ease:
Have a large terrarium
It is crucial that you avoid any competition for resources. Having a large enclosure will reduce the chances of your gargoyle geckos competing for any shared resources.
DO NOT put two male gargoyle geckos in the same enclosure
No matter how big of an enclosure you get, two male gargoyle geckos will ALWAYS be a threat to each other.
Male geckos get very territorial despite having ample resources for themselves. Such a pairing will lead to fights and stress which can cause injuries and health issues for one or both of the gargoyle geckos.
DO NOT put a male gargoyle gecko in the same enclosure as a young gargoyle gecko
Male geckos of all kinds are known to get aggressive about territory and resources. In such aggression, a male gargoyle gecko may bully and physically harm the young gargoyle gecko.
Additionally, the young gargoyle gecko will not be able to compete for or defend its resources from the adult male gargoyle gecko.
Have plenty of hiding spots for both the cohabitants
To minimize the chances of gargoyle geckos running into each other, provide ample hiding spots so they can each have their own personal space to rest and relax.
What To Avoid When Keeping Multiple Gargoyle Geckos?
The first and foremost thing to avoid is the pairing of two adult male gargoyle geckos, or one adult male gargoyle gecko and one young gargoyle gecko, in the same cage.
This is a completely non-negotiable rule that you must follow for the sake of the safety of your pets. Apart from this, some things to avoid include:
- Having small tanks
- Having adjacent feeding spots
- Having a single shared water bowl
- Leaving the gargoyle geckos unsupervised for too long
- Having too less hiding spots
Tank Size Needed For Keeping Multiple Gargoyle Geckos
The size of the tank you need for keeping multiple gargoyle geckos will depend on the number of geckos you plan on keeping, their size and the type of enclosure you choose.
For two or three adult gargoyle geckos, a 20-gallon long tank is a good minimum size. For four or five adults, a 30-gallon long tank is a better option.
For six or more adults, you will need an even larger tank, such as a 40-gallon breeder tank.
If you plan on keeping juvenile gargoyle geckos, you can start with a smaller tank, but you will need to upgrade as they grow.
A 10-gallon tank is a good minimum size for one or two juvenile geckos. For three or four juveniles, you will need a 20-gallon long tank.
No matter what size tank you choose, it is important to make sure that it has plenty of hiding places for your geckos.
Gargoyle geckos are crepuscular animals, meaning that they are most active at dawn and dusk. They need a place to hide during the day when they are sleeping. You can provide hiding places by placing rocks, logs, or other objects in the tank.
Can Hatchling Gargoyle Geckos Live Together?
Strangely, hatchling gargoyle geckos cannot be housed together. This is in fact one of the major differences between crested geckos and gargoyle geckos.
Crested geckos can be housed together for the initial few months. But the same does not work with gargoyle geckos.
As a matter of fact, if you keep hatchling gargoyle geckos together in the same enclosure, chances are they will nip each other’s tails off.
Hatchling gargoyle geckos are very territorial and need to be kept in separate enclosures.
Can Juvenile Gargoyle Geckos Live Together?
Yes, juvenile gargoyle geckos can live together. Once the hatchling gargoyle geckos grow up a little, their aggression gets a little toned down.
However, even as juveniles, it is important to play it safe when it comes to housing gargoyle geckos together.
You need to ensure that you’re taking all precautions such as a large enclosure, separate feeding spots, etc.
FAQs
Can I Keep Two Female Crested Geckos in The Same Enclosure?
Yes, you can keep two female crested geckos in the same enclosure.
Can I Keep Two Male Crested Geckos in The Same Enclosure?
No, you should never keep two male crested geckos in the same enclosure.
Can I Keep a Male And A Female Crested Gecko In The Same Enclosure?
You can keep a male and a female crested gecko in the same enclosure, but be prepared that this can mean eggs and hatchlings.
So, if you don’t want to breed crested geckos, then it is advisable not to house a male and a female crested gecko in the same enclosure.
Summary
The idea of keeping multiple gargoyle geckos together in the same enclosure is indeed exciting – but you need to have a deliberate setup ready for cohabitation.
There are a bunch of precautions that you need to take and things you need to avoid when keeping multiple gargoyle geckos together in one cage.
But if you manage to take the necessary steps, then the cohabitation of gargoyle geckos can be a fulfilling experience. In the end, you should always do what is in the best interest of all your pets.
