Western
New York Herpetological Society
www.wnyherp.org
© 2001 -
2002 by Western New York Herpetological Society
This
document is for guidance only and should not be used as the sole source of
information. New information is being developed daily. It is recommended that a
concerted effort be made to maintain up-to-date knowledge of the animals of
interest.
Common Name:
Tokay Gecko
Latin name:
Gekko gekko
Native to:
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.
Size:
Adults average 10 to 14 inches in length. Hatchlings are usually four
inches in length.
Life span:
These geckos will live 7 to 10 years.
General appearance:
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.
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 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, 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.
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 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.
Diet:
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.
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. 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.
Other references or recommended
reading:
Keeping and Breeding Geckos by
Hermann Seufer pp 99 – 108
Reptile Annual 1996 by Douglas
Elleston pp 11 – 20
Gekko Volume One Issue Two pp 6 – 9
Reptile Hobbyist Volume One Number
Six by Roy Hunzinker pp 22 – 27
Reptile Annual 2000 by Robert
Baldwin pp 122 - 127