Paying attention to your gargoyle gecko’s features can tell you a lot about your reptile’s health. If you notice a gargoyle gecko’s eyes sunken, you may be wondering why this is happening.
There are several reasons why a gargoyle gecko may have sunken eyes. Sometimes sunken eyes are normal, like when it’s sleeping, while others are a sign of a health problem with the eyes. The most common reason for this is dehydration, which should be addressed immediately so it doesn’t lead to further problems for the gecko.
Do you want to know why your gargoyle gecko has sunken eyes? You’ve come to the right page. Today, we’re going to discuss the main reasons why this happens. We’ll also cover what you should do when sunken eyes are a sign of a problem with your gargoyle gecko’s eye health. Keep reading to learn more.
Why Are They Sunken? (Top Causes of Gargoyle Gecko Eyes Sunken)
As a gargoyle gecko owner, you likely appreciate all of your reptile’s unique features. This is why is can be a cause for concern when you notice that your gargoyle gecko’s eyes don’t quite look right. One thing several reptile owners have noticed is sunken eyes on their gargoyle gecko.
There are quite a few things that can cause a gargoyle gecko’s eyes to appear sunken. To take some worry off of your shoulders, some of the reasons why this happens are completely normal. However, as a gecko owner, it’s important to know all of the reasons in case your gargoyle gecko needs medical attention.
When Gargoyle Gecko Eyes Sunken Is Normal
There are times when it’s normal to notice your gargoyle gecko has sunken eyes, such as when it’s eating or sleeping.
An interesting fact about gargoyle geckos (and other geckos) is that they don’t have eyelids. This means that the gargoyle gecko isn’t able to close its eyes. However, a gecko won’t sleep with its eyes in the same position that they would be if it was awake. If it did, it would be able to see everything that was happening around them and it wouldn’t get a proper sleep.
When a gargoyle gecko is sleeping, its eyeballs will sink into its sockets. This way, the gecko won’t be disturbed by any lights or movements around it. Its eyes will also be protected from debris and anything else that could irritate them.
If you have recently changed the lighting, you may notice your gargoyle gecko has sunken eyes. This is a sign that it doesn’t like the new lighting. You may notice the gargoyle gecko opens its eyes if you switch back to the original lighting.
When Gargoyle Gecko Eyes Sunken Is a Sign Of Sickness
If your gargoyle gecko has sunken eyes when it’s awake, it could be a sign that the gargoyle gecko is dehydrated, has a retained eye cap, or is suffering from metabolic bone disease.
The main reason that a gargoyle gecko has sunken eyes while it’s awake is because of dehydration. This is something you should monitor because dehydration could lead to other problems, such as difficulties shedding, constipation, and loss of skin elasity, just to name a few. Keeping your gecko hydrated involves keeping a full water bowl, maintaining the tank’s humidity levels, and a temperature range of 72 F to 75 F.
Another reason your gargoyle gecko may have sunken eyes is due to a retained eye cap. This is when the skin around the eye becomes fused and doesn’t shed with the rest of the skin. However, what can be more concerning for reptile owners is if their gargoyle gecko has metabolic bone disease. This can be caused by improper vitamin and mineral balance, leading the gecko to become very weak.
What To Do If I Suspect Sickness In My Gargoyle Gecko?
If you suspect that your gargoyle gecko has sunken eyes due to metabolic bone disease, you will need to change its diet. This is caused because the reptile is not getting enough nutrients to the bones. Usually it’s a result of too much phosphorus or not enough calcium and vitamin D3.
For gargoyle gecko owners that believe their reptile has sunken eyes due to a retained eye cap, you will need to treat it similar as you would if the gecko was dehydrated. Making sure the geck has increased humidity is very important to loosen any stuck on skin. It’s also important that they have a clean and sanitized tank.
Will They Heal By Themselves?
You will need to tend to your gecko if it has sunken eyes due to illness. If caught early enough, you can get a gargoyle gecko to recover from dehydration on its own by making sure it has the right conditions in its tank. The right humidity level with regular misting is very important.
If your gargoyle gecko has a retained eye cap, you may be able to help by placing the gecko in water that is the same temperature as the tank. Make sure the water is chin level, and allow the gargoyle gecko to soak for roughly 30 minutes. This will help to loosen the stuck skin so you can manually remove it for the gecko.
Should I Take Them To The Vet?
If you believe that sunken eyes are caused by metabolic bone disease or you are unsure of what could be causing the sunken eyes, we recommend making an appointment with the vet. This way, you will get the best advice and the vet can perform a thorough wellness exam.
A qualified vet will also be able to advise you on the best diet for your gargoyle gecko so it consumes all the needed nutrients to remain healthy.
Will They Be Okay?
One of the great things about gargoyle geckos (and other reptiles) is that they are amazing healers. If a gargoyle gecko’s metabolic bone disease (or other health issues) are detected and treated early enough, they have a good chance to have a successful recovery.
Final Thoughts
Why are my gargoyle gecko’s eyes sunken? Gargoyle geckos don’t have eyelids, so if they need to close their eyes, they will sink them into the sockets instead. This is common to see when the gargoyle gecko is eating or sleeping.
However, sunken eyes can also be a sign of a health problem, such as dehydration, retained eye cap, or metabolic bone disease.