Tokay Gecko

Tokay Gecko Latin name: Gekko gekko

Northeastern India, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Indochina, southern China,

Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Sulu Archipelago and eastern Indoaustralasian

archipelago. They have also been introduced into other areas including southern

Florida.

Adults average 10 to 14 inches in length. Hatchlings are usually four inches in

length.

These geckos will live 7 to 10 years.

This aggressive gecko has an attractive gray to blue body with

orange to red spots and flecks. The whole body is covered with small angular

scales with tubercular scales on the back of the gecko. The toes have large

undivided adhesive pads which they can climb almost any surface. The male is

distinguished from the female by an angular row of 10 to 24 pre-anal pores.

Tokay geckos have voices that bark, grunt and trill.

Tokay geckos can be kept singly in a 10 to 20-gallon aquarium. You

can house them in groups, however it is inadvisable to keep males together

as they will fight. You can keep up to six geckos in a 55-gallon aquarium.

When possible choose high tanks over long tanks. Screened enclosures are

not a good choice because of the geckos’ delicate foot structure.

Tokay geckos should be kept in a relative cage temperature of 85°

A heat lamp may be used. As Tokay geckos are nocturnal, ultraviolet

lighting is not necessary but can be used for aesthetic purposes and

plant maintenance. Undertank heaters are rarely used by this gecko. A

photoperiod of 10 hours light and 14 hours darkness is adequate.

Potting soil and sand mixture, orchid bark, coconut fiber or fir bark

can all be used as substrate.

Tokay geckos are from the tropical rainforest, but the can be

found at home within human habitations as well. Since they are a

rainforest species a relative humidity should be around 70% to 90% and

should not drop below 50%. The substrate listed above will help in

keeping the humidity in the desired range. Strong plants such as croton

and wax flower are recommended. The back wall of the terrarium can also

be lined with bark. Split branches, cork tubes and grape wood branches

can also be used.

Tokays are not squeamish and will eat a wide variety of insects. Crickets should be

a staple and will be relished. Wax worms, wax moths, superworms, locusts and

even pinky mice will be eaten. Food should be offered every other day. Dusting of

insects with a multipurpose reptile vitamin/mineral powder should be done at

least every third feeding.

Spot cleaning of the terrarium should be done as needed. A complete

breakdown of the terrarium and replacement of the substrate should be done every

three to four months. Humidity can be maintained by daily misting once in the

morning and once in the evening. These geckos stress with handling and should

be considered a “hands off” gecko. If captured they will bit strongly. As these

bites can be quite painful, it is best to wear strong gloves when handling is

necessary. As the vast majority of Tokay geckos are imported and very few are

captive bred, wild caught animals may be loaded with parasites. It is

recommended to have a veterinarian check for these parasites with a fecal

flotation exam.