Gargoyle GECKO
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PETSMART CARES SHOPPING LIST EYELASH CRESTED Pets purchased at PetSmart are part of our GECKO ™ Rhacodactylus ciliatus exclusive Vet Assured program; a program Step 1: Choosing a Terrarium designed by PetSmart veterinarians to help improve the health and well-being of our pets. 20-gallon (20-24" tall) or larger terrarium GARGOYLE Gecko The program includes: Screen lid, if not included with habitat Rhacodactylus auriculatus • Specific standards our vendors agree to meet in caring for and observing pets for Step 2: Heating and Lighting EXPERIENCE LEVEL: BEGINNER common illnesses. Reptile habitat thermometers (2) • Specific standards for in-store pet care. Reptile habitat hygrometer • The PetSmart Promise: If your pet becomes Heat bulb and fixture ill during the initial 14-day period, or if you’re Daytime fluorescent bulb, if necessary not satisfied for any reason, PetSmart will gladly replace the pet or refund the purchase price. Lamp stand, if desired + 1414+ Ceramic heat emitter and fixture, or HEALTH nighttime bulb, if necessary New surroundings and environments can be Timer for lighting and heating bulbs, if desired SizeSize stressful for pets. Prior to handling your pet, give him 3-4 days to adjust to his new surroundings Step 3: Substrate and Decor while monitoring his behavior for any signs of stress Coconut fiber or bark HabitatHabitat or illness. Shortly after purchase, have a veterinarian Artificial/natural rock or wood hiding area familiar with reptiles examine your pet. Approximately Branches/plants for climbing and hiding LifespanLifespan 14+ 10-15 years THINGS TO WATCH FOR Food and water dishes • Runny droppings for more than two days Dietary Needs Up to 10" (25 cm) long HabitatHabitatSize • Eating or drinking less; weight loss Commercially prepared diet designed for Crested Geckos • Swollen joints Tropical/Arboreal Appropriate size live crickets • Discharge from the eyes, nose or mouth HabitatHabitat Environment • Shedding problems; discolored skin Cricket food and cricket water gel Cricket keeper • Avoidance of the basking area; more time Lifespan spent hiding; lethargic behavior Calcium supplementation If you notice any of the above signs, speak with a Spray bottle for misting Did You Know? PetSmart store associate or reptile veterinarian with Eyelash Crested Geckos were named for the questions about the health of your pet. Habitat eyelash-like protrusions over their eyes. These geckos also have a strong prehensile tail that helps stabilize them on branches. The tail can “drop” if the pet feels threatened. However, unlike most Habitat This care guide contains general information other geckos, the tail will not grow back. for the proper care of your pet, but is not comprehensive. For more information, review the Habitat Set-up Guide and PetSmart® Care Guides were developed and the Heating and Lighting Guide. approved by PetSmart veterinarians. For more information on the care of Geckos or other pets, visit ©2011 PetSmart Store Support Group, Inc. All rights reserved. PETSMART & Bouncing Ball REP609 Designs and VET ASSURED are trademarks of PetSmart Store Support Group, Inc. petsmart.com/careguides REP609_EyelashCrestedGargoyleGecko_CG.indd 1 5/3/11 5:31 PM STEP 1 Choosing a Terrarium STEP 3 Substrate and Decor Nutrition & Maintenance These geckos originate from the South Pacific Substrate Dietary Requirements and require a warm, humid environment. You can F• Use a 2-3" (5-8 cm) layer of coconut fiber or bark. • These geckos are omnivores, meaning their diet house two Crested Geckos together (no more than • Clean out waste weekly and completely change consists a combination of insects and fruits. one male per habitat). Gargoyle Geckos are best bedding at least once a month. housed individually. • They require calcium supplementation as Decor part of their diet and may benefit from a Terrarium G• Add a wood/rock hiding place in the home reptile multivitamin A Use a well-ventilated, 20-gallon (20-24 tall) or • " for hiding. larger terrarium. Taller enclosures are required as • Clean food and water bowls daily. these geckos like to climb. H• Add a vertical piece of wood for climbing. • Prepared diet should be fed from a bowl to avoid B Screened lid, if not included with habitat. Provide branches (artificial or live) for hiding and accidental ingestion of the substrate. climbing. These geckos are good climbers and STEP 2 Heating and Lighting do well in environments with lots of branches Dietary Options and plants. Examples Feeding Frequency These geckos require a temperature gradient (from Commercially top to bottom of habitat) to appropriately regulate Prepared prepared diet or Offer daily. their body temperature. Temperatures should also Diets E pureed fruit diet vary between daytime and nighttime hours. B Heating • Equip the habitat with two C thermometers to monitor temperature (one high and one low) and one D hygrometer to monitor the humidity levels. D C A Insects* Crickets** Once to twice weekly. • Supplement habitat heat with a E low-wattage H heat bulb or ceramic heat emitter to maintain C daytime temperatures. Heat source should be *Insects should be dusted with a calcium supplement turned off at night. twice weekly, and a reptile multivitamin once weekly. • Use a ceramic heat emitter or night heat lamp, as G **Crickets should be fed a gut-loaded diet (commercially needed, to maintain nighttime temperatures. available nutrient-dense diet) prior to being fed to the reptile to ensure they have the proper nutrients for a healthy reptile diet. TARGET RANGE F HUMIDITY 50-80% Water TEMPERATURE • These geckos will drink from a shallow dish and lick moisture from their skin; mist your pet every DAY - COOL AREA 75-80° F (24-27° C) other day with warm water. DAY - WARM AREA 80-85° F (27-30° C) • Water bowls should be emptied and refilled daily. NIGHT 65-75° F (18-24° C) Other Reminders Use caution when handling pets and remember Lighting that all pets may bite or scratch especially when • These geckos are nocturnal and provided they stressed. Avoid picking up your pet by the tail as it are supplied with a dietary source of vitamin D, may fall off. Supervise children around pets. they do not require ultraviolet light, only a 12-hour light/dark cycle. If room light does not Pets may transmit disease to humans; be sure to provide enough light, use a fluorescent bulb to wash your hands before and after handling your provide daytime light. pet or cleaning his home. • For night viewing, and to minimize visible light seen by your gecko, use a night-specific bulb. REP609_EyelashCrestedGargoyleGecko_CG.indd 2 5/3/11 5:31 PM.