Urgent: Tips for buying crested and gargoyle geckos

Hi!
I found out that a pet store located 300 kms away from me, is carrying crested and gargoyle geckos.
If they are still available, I have the chance to buy one or both species and I need a few tips to help me evaluate their health and general status: what should I look for, signs of health, signs of disease, etc.
I have never seen any of them "face to face" so please take that into consideration.

Before you think I went crazy, let me explain why.
Crested geckos are a rarity here. No store has them and most stores don't even know them. I have never seen anyone on our local herp forums stating that they have one. Gargoyles are several times worse than cresteds.

In the last month I found out that the nearest store that has some every now and then, is 800km away, so I would need a 1600km drive just to get one.
I've sent emails to breeders/stores everywhere "nearby" (Spain, France, UK, Netherlands, Germany) and my best chance to get any is the Hamm Reptile Expo in September but that means a 5000kms drive =)
Fying animals in is a nightmare because of customs, paperwork, red tape, etc.

So as you can see, I'm quite excited about the possibility of just traveling 600km =)

Thanks =)

My local pet stores has access to all sorts of crazy things like that. One of their stores has a Adult Gargoyle and I seen a set of mating Crested geckos. I don't know much about them, but I think I remember hte guy saying they're pretty hearty and don't need much in terms of ... environment. I'm not sure though. I do know that the Female got her Tale bit off by the Male lol

When I buy new reptiles i look for a few things. Clear alert eyes. Healthy skin, with no sign of dehydration. Make sure the cloaca ( vent) is clear from any fecal matter or crusty material. No retained shed, no signs of respritory problems such as gurgling out the nose and mouth aswell as fluid discharge. Also I like to see the reptiles feed atleast once.
Good luck of your decision, both those geckos are amazing herps.
-Jason

In addition to what A_sinensis said, I would take a look at how active the geckos are and try to find the one with the most " Get up and Go!" and personality. Good luck and post pictures!

Before you think I went crazy, let me explain why.

RBL! I think you forgot where and to what type of people you were posting
Crazy? Not at all!
Many of us have been known to go to extremes when it comes to finally being able to aquire that "dream species"!

RBL, congratulations on the find, I definately recommend the rhacodactylus geckos!

I work with Cresteds and only know about gargoyles what I have read. First, both species are nocturnal, you're going to have a hard time seeing how alert they are when they're sleeping . That also eliminates the chance of seeing them feed. Even though they're sleeping they should still be alert. Look at their eyes, the pupils should be dialated and the eyes slightly sunken in, classic signs of sleeping crested.

Rhacodactylus are an extremely hardy genus, you shouldn't have too much to worry about if the geckos appear healthy.

Thanks guys! =)
Lorno, they're not as easy as leopard geckos and have some requirements (in terms of housing and handling) that makes them not suited for me, a mere beginner.

Jason, Clyde and Cody, good tips, thanks! Fresh new at the pet store after all confusion of travel, customs, vet, quarentine, they might not "be" as they usually "are" and I might be able to see them active.
I just talked with the store owner and he is selling them well for an unknown species for the common public, so I don't have much time. He has couples so I will try to buy a couple if I can stretch my budget there. He also knows I will travel just to see them so I'm sure he will make some arrangements for me.
He told me it was a nightmare getting the paper work done because there are no other rhacodactylus geckos registered here.

Merlin, you're partially right! I felt an explanation should be given because "we" live in much different countries. Most of the active users here are from the US or UK where you can get almost every species and accessories. Seeing someone going mad about some crested and gargoyles geckos 300km away, should sound crazy when you can get one at your local pet store or have someone somewhere ship one to your doorstep in 24h =)

PS: You wouldn't believe the frustration of not being able to get a @#§$!%& proportional thermostat

Cody, would you mind telling me a couple of things about keeping them?
Looking for gargoyles caresheets, which should be no different that crested's except in minor details, I have found 2 types of caresheets. Major differences are:
- one states they need UV and the other states they don't;
- one states they should have heating, the other states that room temperature is fine (where room temp ranges 65F to 85F and as low as 55F to 65F in the winter);
- one states the couples should be housed separated, other states they are fine together;
- one states 10 to 20 gallon houses a couple, other states that single adult should be in 20 gallon.

You work with cresteds, what do you say?

Hello,

UV- Not necessary, they're nocturnal, you could provide it but seeing as they don't bask it seems like a waste to me.

Heating- Depends on what your room temps are. I'll attach a chart with the local temps for new caledonia, mimicing these temps is all you need to do.



Housing- I house my couples together for about 8 months at a time then give the female a few months to build up her calcium reserves and just have a break. They're prolific breeders, if you leave them together the female will constantly be gestating, this will lead to egg binding or calcium defencies and eventually death, a cooling period is necessary.

Size- I used to keep a full grown pair in a well planted 10 gallon, they did fine, I now keep my breeders in large sterlites. And I also have a pair in a 20. The most important thing is to make sure the cage is orientated for their aboreal lifestyle. As long as they have plenty of climbing/jumping space they will be fine.

I have a book, just not at my disposal at the second, I'd be glad to quote some stuff for you and give you a better rundown on the gargoyles.

Thanks a lot!!!! I was getting worried that I could not match the requirements.
Time, opportunity and distance turned this situation into a one time thing.
I didn't have time to do my research properly like I did for BDs but I may not have another chance of getting them if I don't buy them tomorrow when I visit the store.

If they are housed together right now, I will probably keep them that way.
I read somewhere that lack of space (10 gallon tank) is not problematic if they have a lot of hides. Otherwise, females get violent with males due to stress of being permanently harassed.

If you can give me some more info from your book, I would appreciate it. I have only the web as source of info and as you can see, most caresheets fall into 2 distinct and almost opposite categories.

Thanks again =)