Tokay Gecko

This is another lizard species on which this article is based. Tokay Gecko is its name. It’s most frequent in Southeast and East Asia. They are pale blue to grey in colour and have polka dot-like dots. They, like the Leopard Gecko, maybe both wild and tamed. Read on to learn how to care for them as a pet. This page also includes information about the breed’s wild form.

Introduction

• It’s widespread in Southeast and East Asia.
• With huge heads and huge eyes, these geckos have a sturdy appearance.
• They have polka dot-like dots and are pale blue to grey in tone.
• It comes in two varieties: red-spotted and black-spotted.
• They aren’t as prevalent as leopard geckos as pets, but they’re just as fascinating.
• They’re the second-largest gecko species and are recognised for their bright colours and markings. Their colour is usually blue-grey with brilliant orange and blue dots.

Scientific Name

Gekko gecko

Kingdom

Animal

History

• They are one of the largest gecko species on the planet.
• They can be found throughout south and southeast Asia, where they dwell in close proximity to humans and eat harmful insect pests.

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Appearance

Physical Description 

• They have thick, cylindrical bodies with separate heads and necks.
• Their bodies are covered with spots and their limbs are well-defined and powerful. 

Colour

• They have blue-grey bodies that range in colour from reddish-orange to whitish-yellow.
• Females are comparable to males, although they are not as intensely coloured, this varies with each gecko.
• Each gecko may change its skin colour, making it darker to fit with its environment.

Size & Weight

• They are among the world’s largest geckos.
• Males are 13-16 inches (35-40 cm) tall, while females are 8-12 inches tall (20-30 centimetres).
• Females are not only smaller but also have a duller hue than males.

Behaviour

• They are nocturnal, meaning they spend most of their time awake at night. During the day, they will sleep with their heads down.
• These geckos are known to be aggressive in the wild. Males, in particular, will attack any animals they see as a threat, including other tokay geckos.
• Moreover, they have a history of being harsh and capable of executing a nasty bite. They can become less violent with regular engagement, but they are often difficult to handle. As a result, this is not a pet for a beginner herpetologist or a family with little children.
• These geckos are cunning, and if they feel threatened, they will bite.

Diet, Food & Water

• Tokay Gecko are nocturnal, solitary hunters who prefer to sit and wait for prey rather than actively hunting, however, they do keep a foraging area.
• Moths, locusts, grasshoppers, cockroaches, termites, beetles, crickets, mosquitos, and spiders are among the invertebrates eaten by these geckos.
• Small rats, mice, and snakes may also be eaten.
• Because Tokays are huge, can eat a lot of prey, and flourish in man-made surroundings, they are occasionally used to manage nuisance insects.
• They eat crickets, cockroaches, and mealworms at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo.

Habitat

• They live in trees.
• They exist in a range of habitat types in tropical rainforests, rock crevices, and man-made surroundings.
• Red-spotted Tokays are more likely to be found in lowland or submontane rainforests, while black-spotted Tokays prefer rocky habitats.

Housing

• They adore a crowded cage.
• Plants, both real and fake, logs, driftwood, caverns, and pretty much anything they can climb on or hide in are all favourites.
• It requires a secure hiding place.
• They require a safe haven where they can sleep during the day without fear of attack.

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Life Expectancy

• In human care, it can live up to ten years. Their wildlife expectancy is unknown, however, it is likely to be lower.

Heat, Light & Humidity

• They prefer a high humidity level of approximately 70%. Do not allow it to fall below 50%.
• Maintain humidity via misting, a water-retaining surface, and a bowl of water.
• However, make sure the tank has adequate airflow, as a wet environment might create health problems.
• A red nighttime bulb allows you to observe your gecko at night, when it is most active, without disturbing its natural day-night cycle.

Common Health Problems

They are generally healthy, but they do have a number of health conditions that require your attention, much like other animals and pets. 

• Mites
• Impaction
• Calcium Deficiency
• Internal Parasites

Reproduction

• It has a unique mating cry that sounds similar to “To-Kay” or “Gekk-Gekk.”
• Both the popular and scientific names of this species are derived from these sounds.
• During the breeding season, males will mate with many females. Females can deposit new eggs once a month. Every month, the females can lay fresh eggs.

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Population

• Last year, Indonesia set a 25,000-animal export quota for tokay geckos, but that number has risen to 1.8 million for just three regions on the island of Java this year.
• Nijman was taken aback when he saw the number, which was issued in July.

Natural Predators 

Habitat loss and predation by several flesh-eating species are the main dangers to Tokyo Geckos across the world. 

• Domestic Predators
• Wild Predators
• Humans
• Habitat Loss

Tokay Gecko for Sale 

• Choose a captive-bred tokay gecko from a reputable breeder or animal rescue that can inform you about its origins and health if you think you can manage its aggressive nature.
• Expect to spend between $20 and $50.

Fun Facts

• Among the Tokay Gecko species, the tokay gecko is a huge breeding lizard. They are most renowned for their camo abilities.
• They are members of the Reptilia class and the Squamata order. They belong to the Gekkonidae family and the species Gekko.
• The tokay’s capacity to throw off its tail in defence and regenerate a new one is another distinguishing attribute. They will have time to flee since the cast-off half will continue to move for several minutes. These geckoes grow a new tail in about three weeks, however, it is rarely as long as the original tail.
• They are solitary species that only interact with each other during the mating season. They are territorial and will protect their territory against intruders of the same species as well as other species, reducing food competition.
• Tokays are said to bring prosperity, good fortune, and fertility to regions of Southeast Asia.

Reference Link

• https://g.co/kgs/CpCFPh

Tokay Gecko-FAQ