How to care for Tokay Gecko

Common Name:Tokay Gecko
Tokay Gecko (Gekko gekko)

Latin name: Gekko gekko

Native to: Northeastern India, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Indochina, southern China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Sulu Archipelago and eastern Indoaustralasian archipelago. Tokay geckos have also been introduced into other areas including southern Florida.

Size: Adult tokay geckos average 10 to 14 inches in length. Hatchlings are usually four inches in length.

Life span: Tokay geckos will live 7 to 10 years.

General appearance: The tokay gecko is an aggressive gecko and 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.

Housing requirements:

Enclosure: 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 tokay 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.

Temperature: Tokay geckos should be kept in a relative cage temperature of 85° to 90° F during the day with a 15° F drop during the night.

Heat/Light: A heat lamp may be used. As Tokay geckos are nocturnal, ultra-violet lighting is not necessary but can be used for aesthetic purposes and plant maintenance. Under tank heaters are rarely used by this gecko. A photo period of 10 hours light and 14 hours darkness is adequate.

Substrate: Potting soil and sand mixture, orchid bark, coconut fiber or fir bark can all be used as substrate.

Environment: Tokay geckos are from the tropical rain forest, but the can be found at home within human habitations as well. Since they are a rain forest 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.

Diet: Tokay geckos are not squeamish and will eat a wide variety of insects. Crickets should be a staple and will be relished. Wax worms, wax moths, super worms, 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.

Maintenance: 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. Tokay 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.