Tokay Gecko
(Gekko gecko)
Distribution
Tokay Geckos are crepuscular/nocturnal reptiles, which originate in South East Asia. They are currently also living wild in Florida, Hawaii and Guam due to accidental introductions. In some areas of Florida it was introduced around 10 years ago in warehouses to control cockroach populations and has since spread outside of these areas to prey on native wildlife including hatchling
corn snakes and nestling birds. There are currently two subspecies recognized and these are The Common Tokay Gecko (
Gekko gecko gecko) and Pakistani Tokay Gecko (Gekko
gecko azhari). They are a large and often aggressive species and are not suitable for communal vivariums despite being sold as such in the past.
Size
Tokay Geckos reach an average size of around 20cm (8 inches) although animals of up to 28cm (11 inches) have been recorded. They are sexually mature after about one year although this varies on the individual animal and by the size it has attained by this age.
Diet
Tokays are greedy and often aggressive feeders. They will eat a wide range of arthropods (e.g. locusts, crickets) but will also take small vertebrates such as pink mice and rat pups. However, they do have tendencies to eat only moving prey, so these may need to be wriggled in front of the gecko. All live foods should be dusted with a good quality Calcium supplement prior to feeding and gut loaded with appropriate foods.
Requirements
- Heat Source: - This should be a guarded and thermostatically controlled red, green or blue reflector spot lamp or conical ceramic. Thermostatically controlled heat mats can be used a useful source of additional heat.
- UV Light Source: - They require a 5.0 Reptisun UVB light, this should be positioned no more than 30cm away from, the basking lizard. This should be left on for 10 to 12 hours a day and replaced every 6 months unless otherwise stated by the manufacturer. This will create a day and night time effect as well as give your lizard sufficient levels of UV in order to allow vitamin D3 synthesis.
- Housing: - This should consist of a dark wooden vivarium with glass frontage and adequate ventilation. A vivarium measuring 100cm by 50cm by 50cm (39.5 inches by 19.75 inches by 19.75 inches) is suitable for a pair. This species can also be kept in a Reptarium style enclosure as long as the room is warm and draft free. Hatchlings should be kept in a small container inside a larger vivarium. Tokays are best kept alone or with one of the opposite sex (of equivalent size).
- Thermostat: - An essential part of any vivarium and is required to regulate the internal temperatures of the vivarium and to prevent your pet from becoming too hot or too cold.
- Wire Mesh Guards: - These should be fitted over all heat sources used in order to prevent thermal burns.
- Thermometers: - One should be placed at each end of the vivarium in order to give an accurate reading of the temperatures within the vivarium. Never go by the temperature on the thermostat as these are often inaccurate.
- Hides: - These are essential to prevent stress and allow your pet to hide away from the outside world. Artificial plants, boxes, plant pots, caves etc. all make excellent hides.
- Climbing Facilities: - These can be branches, logs, rocks etc. Care must be taken to ensure that there are no sharp edges which could cause injury to the animal.
Water
These animals require a shallow water bowl. Spraying with tepid water daily is also required.
Temperature
The background temperature should be maintained at 25 - 30°C (75 - 85°F) with a night time temperature of around 20°C (70°F).
Humidity
Tokay Geckos require relatively high levels of humidity therefore daily spraying is essential. Humid hides containing sphagnum moss should also be used as these will assist with ecdysis.
Longevity
Tokay Geckos, if kept under the right conditions and given the correct diet can live between 10 and 15 years with some exceeding this.
Substrate
A peat and sphagnum moss/vermiculite mix is best for this species as it assists in maintaining the correct humidity.
Bark mulch (not pine or cedar) is another excellent substrate for this species as it looks naturalistic and maintains humidity.
Notes
The Tokays will bark if they feel threatened. This species as a general rule is aggressive and not suitable for a first time gecko.
NB – Photograph taken by Stuart Dodsworth.
A distribution map can be found on http://www.reptilesalonica.com/distribution-tokay.html
Recommended Reading/Useful Contacts
General Care and Maintenance of Tokay Geckos and related Species, by Sean Mckeown and Jim Zaworski.
Stuart Dodsworth –
stuartandlynette@dodsworth2005.wanadoo.co.uk
The International Herpetological Society –
www.international-herp-society.co.uk
The British Herpetological Society –
www.thebhs.org
Taxonomy Information –
http://srs.embl-heidelberg.de:8000/srs5bin/cgi-bin/wgetz?-e+[REPTILIA-Species:'Gekko_SP_gecko']
Information on Tokay Geckos in Florida
http://www.myfwc.com/critters/exotics/SpeciesNumberResults.asp?SPPNO=5
http://www.wam.umd.edu/~tangyz/
http://www.gekkota.com/html/gekko_gecko.html - captive care
http://www.igniche.com/Gekko_gecko.htm - captive care
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Gekko_gecko.html
http://www.anapsid.org/tokays.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/476.shtml
http://www.chinabiodiversity.com/search/english/detail.shtm?cspcode=030190013
www.reptilekeeper.co.uk
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