Key Takeaway:
- Gargoyle geckos can become pale or white due to environmental changes such as light, low temperatures, mood, and low humidity.
- Gargoyle geckos show their dark colors when they are fired up and paleness when they are fired down
- It’s normal for gargoyle geckos to become pale as they age
- Shedding causes gargoyle geckos to become pale
- You shouldn’t be concerned about paleness unless your gargoyle gecko is sick
Gargoyle geckos come in different bright colors depending on the morph. Your gargoyle gecko should show their bright colors when fired up.
Nonetheless, the bright colors can become dull depending on various factors.
So, if you are used to seeing your gargoyle gecko fired up, you’ll obviously be concerned when it becomes pale or white.
The color change can happen naturally or due to environmental factors.
This guide should help you understand why gargoyle geckos turn pale and what you should do about it. So, let’s get right into it!
5 Reasons Why Gargoyle Geckos Go Pale
Gargoyle geckos becoming pale can be attributed to the following explanations:
Shedding
Unless you haven’t owned gargoyle geckos before, you should know that these pets shed their skin every month. Geckos must shed to create room for more growth.
But before your gargoyle gecko gets rid of the old skin, it will turn pale. As the old skin detaches from the new skin, your gargoyle gecko will lose its bright colors and turn pale or grey.
So, once you establish that the paleness is a result of shedding, you should give your gecko time to finish the shedding process.
Luckily, the paleness and whiteness should disappear as soon as the gecko reveals its new skin.
Stress
Your gargoyle gecko’s skin should tell you whether your pet is happy or not. A healthy and happy gecko will always be fired up.
And by fired up we mean that the gecko will show its bright colors.
On the other hand, a stressed gecko can turn pale or white. So, if your gecko is fired down, there’s a high possibility that it is in a bad mood.
Get to know what’s stressing your gargoyle gecko and correct it. Your gecko should become fired up once it relaxes and regains its mood.
Sickness
Gargoyle geckos can change their color when they are sick. In most cases, a sick gargoyle gecko will become lighter or pale.
So, if you notice other symptoms such as lethargy, inactivity, poor appetite, and weight loss you should talk to a vet.
Change in Lighting
Gargoyle geckos can shift their color due to a change in lighting. Remember that these geckos will want to camouflage or blend in with their environment.
So, expect your gargoyle gecko to fire up or turn dark when placed in dark lighting.
On the other hand, gargoyle geckos will become lighter or paler when placed in bright lighting.
This explains why these critters become pale during the day and fire up during the night.
Age
Geckos are just like humans. Their skin won’t be as radiant as it used to be when they were young.
It is normal for your gargoyle gecko to become pale and whitish as it ages.
Your gecko’s base color will no longer be dark even when your gecko becomes fired up. Therefore, you shouldn’t be worried about age-related pale coloration.
What To Do When My Gargoyle Gecko Turns Pale?
There is nothing you can do when your gargoyle gecko turns pale. Most of the time it will turn pale or white due to natural reasons.
For instance, a gecko that’s shedding will always turn pale or greyish until the old skin comes off and the new skin gets used to the environment.
Secondly, you can’t control age-related pale coloration as it’s bound to happen when geckos age.
The only time you should act is when your gargoyle gecko turns pale due to stress or sickness.
You can try reducing the stressors to see if your gecko will become happy and fired up. And if your gecko is sick, you should take it to the vet for treatment.
What Color Should A Gargoyle Gecko Be?
Gargoyle geckos occur in many colors depending on the morph. Some will have varying shades of red, orange, white, brown, grey, yellow, and pink.
These shades are coupled together with varying patterns of striping and blotches.
Conclusion
To sum things up, gargoyle geckos turn pale or white due to environmental changes.
Besides, gargoyle geckos get fired down during the day and fired up when it gets darker.
You still need to review the gecko’s habitat and living conditions to rule out any sickness.
But if your gecko is pooping, moving, and eating, you shouldn’t be worried by its paleness.
