Reptile Rapture
6308 Monona dr, Monona WI 53516
608-221-0094, www.reptilerapture.net
Tokay gecko caresheet
Common Name: Tokay Gecko
Scientific Name: Gekko gecko
Origin: Southeast Asia
Size: 12-14" males; females slightly smaller
Lifespan: 15-20 years
You will find many ways on the internet on "how to" take care of this animal. This care sheet is showing the way we found works best for us from our many years of experience of caring for this species.
The tokay is one of the larger and more intelligent species of geckos. The males make a loud "tokay" call during mating, along with various squeaks and barks at other times.
HOUSING
In the wild, tokay geckos are very territorial. These excellent climbers live in rainforest trees or other elevated habitat such as cliff sides.
You will want an enclosure that has some height to it. Young tokays up to about 5-6 months of age can be housed in a 10 gallon enclosure or a Exo Terras 12" x 12" x 18".
Adult males should be housed separately or can be paired with a female. Two females kept together also can work. If you have more than one adult male, they will fight so be sure to keep them in separate cages.
It's also important that tokay geckos are of similar sizes. If one is significantly larger than the other (and it is not it's baby), the smaller usually ends up as a snack for the bigger.
The minimum size enclosure for one adult should be a 20 galllon tall but more space is preferred, like Exo Terra's 18" x 18" x 24" However, if you want to have a pair of geckos, the Exo Terra 24" x 18" x 36" is the minimum size to go with. Exo Terras screen enclosures can also be used, but you will spend more time maintaining proper humidity.
Tokays like plants (real or artificial) to climb in. Also fill the enclosure with branches, hides, half logs, ledges... basically anything that allows them to move around, hide, and feel safe. A good substrate is one that holds humidity well without molding. Exo terra Coco fiber, coco husk, or Zoo Med repti bark work well or you can do a bio active, live planted tank. Be sure the plants are robust enough to handle the tokays climbing on them.
LIGHTING & TEMPERATURES
Tokay geckos are hardy lizards. Being nocturnal, they usually sleep in the foliage or other hiding spots during the day and are active at night. UVB lighting is not necessary for these guys. You'll want to turn any daylight off at night. The easiest way to increase the heat in your enclosure is with a Reptile Basking bulb, black light heat bulb or a heat emmitter. You always want part of the tank to be warmer (at the top) and another part to be cooler (at the bottom). This way your gecko can regulate its own body temperature.
The hot spot should be between 85-90 degrees Fahrenheit and the cool area no lower than 72. Use a good quality temperature gauge, like Zoo Meds digital temp gauge or Exo Terras Thermometer.
HUMIDITY
Misting the enclosure twice a day will usually provide enough moisture for your geckos. They like to lick water off the glass and foliage in the enclosure. Yet, also have a water bowl for them to use if they choose. Exo terras reptile fountain provides bubbling water, Flukers rock dish is a nice naturalistic non-porous water bowl, or you can use a Magnetic water/feeding ledge. If you live in the Southwestern United States where it's very dry--or in the Northern part of the United States where winter is very dry--you may have to mist more frequently.
FEEDING
Young tokays should be fed everyday, adults every other day. The diet consists of a variety of insects and bugs including crickets, roaches, mealworms, waxworms, and superworms.
For extra calcium and vitamins, dust the bugs with supplements such as Repashy Calcium Plus every feeding. Or use Zoo Med Calcium without d3, every feeding for young and 2-3 x a week for adults. Use Zoo med multivitamin with D3 only 1x a week. The day you use the multivitamin do not use the calcium.
Repashy gecko food may also be offered but not as a main diet.
TEMPERAMENT
Interesting fact: When the female lays her eggs, both she and the male take turns guarding them until they hatch.
Tokay geckos are beautiful and fascinating pets, but they do not like to be handled and will bite hard if they feel threatened or trapped. These intelligent lizards can be tamed but it takes time before they trust you. You must have patience and allow your gecko to get used to you slowly.
Scientific Name: Gekko gecko
Origin: Southeast Asia
Size: 12-14" males; females slightly smaller
Lifespan: 15-20 years
You will find many ways on the internet on "how to" take care of this animal. This care sheet is showing the way we found works best for us from our many years of experience of caring for this species.
The tokay is one of the larger and more intelligent species of geckos. The males make a loud "tokay" call during mating, along with various squeaks and barks at other times.
HOUSING
In the wild, tokay geckos are very territorial. These excellent climbers live in rainforest trees or other elevated habitat such as cliff sides.
You will want an enclosure that has some height to it. Young tokays up to about 5-6 months of age can be housed in a 10 gallon enclosure or a Exo Terras 12" x 12" x 18".
Adult males should be housed separately or can be paired with a female. Two females kept together also can work. If you have more than one adult male, they will fight so be sure to keep them in separate cages.
It's also important that tokay geckos are of similar sizes. If one is significantly larger than the other (and it is not it's baby), the smaller usually ends up as a snack for the bigger.
The minimum size enclosure for one adult should be a 20 galllon tall but more space is preferred, like Exo Terra's 18" x 18" x 24" However, if you want to have a pair of geckos, the Exo Terra 24" x 18" x 36" is the minimum size to go with. Exo Terras screen enclosures can also be used, but you will spend more time maintaining proper humidity.
Tokays like plants (real or artificial) to climb in. Also fill the enclosure with branches, hides, half logs, ledges... basically anything that allows them to move around, hide, and feel safe. A good substrate is one that holds humidity well without molding. Exo terra Coco fiber, coco husk, or Zoo Med repti bark work well or you can do a bio active, live planted tank. Be sure the plants are robust enough to handle the tokays climbing on them.
LIGHTING & TEMPERATURES
Tokay geckos are hardy lizards. Being nocturnal, they usually sleep in the foliage or other hiding spots during the day and are active at night. UVB lighting is not necessary for these guys. You'll want to turn any daylight off at night. The easiest way to increase the heat in your enclosure is with a Reptile Basking bulb, black light heat bulb or a heat emmitter. You always want part of the tank to be warmer (at the top) and another part to be cooler (at the bottom). This way your gecko can regulate its own body temperature.
The hot spot should be between 85-90 degrees Fahrenheit and the cool area no lower than 72. Use a good quality temperature gauge, like Zoo Meds digital temp gauge or Exo Terras Thermometer.
HUMIDITY
Misting the enclosure twice a day will usually provide enough moisture for your geckos. They like to lick water off the glass and foliage in the enclosure. Yet, also have a water bowl for them to use if they choose. Exo terras reptile fountain provides bubbling water, Flukers rock dish is a nice naturalistic non-porous water bowl, or you can use a Magnetic water/feeding ledge. If you live in the Southwestern United States where it's very dry--or in the Northern part of the United States where winter is very dry--you may have to mist more frequently.
FEEDING
Young tokays should be fed everyday, adults every other day. The diet consists of a variety of insects and bugs including crickets, roaches, mealworms, waxworms, and superworms.
For extra calcium and vitamins, dust the bugs with supplements such as Repashy Calcium Plus every feeding. Or use Zoo Med Calcium without d3, every feeding for young and 2-3 x a week for adults. Use Zoo med multivitamin with D3 only 1x a week. The day you use the multivitamin do not use the calcium.
Repashy gecko food may also be offered but not as a main diet.
TEMPERAMENT
Interesting fact: When the female lays her eggs, both she and the male take turns guarding them until they hatch.
Tokay geckos are beautiful and fascinating pets, but they do not like to be handled and will bite hard if they feel threatened or trapped. These intelligent lizards can be tamed but it takes time before they trust you. You must have patience and allow your gecko to get used to you slowly.