Tokay Gecko

Enclosure type

Tall vertical glass or screen enclosure with screen top for ventilation

Substrate

Coconut fiber, cypress mulch, or paper towels. Live plants help maintain humidity.

Hides

Vertical cork bark tubes and bamboo sections; dense foliage cover

Notes

Minimum 20-gallon vertical for one gecko (larger preferred). Provide vertical branches, cork bark tubes, bamboo, and artificial plants. Screen top essential for ventilation.

Ambient / cool side

78-85°F (26-29°C)

Basking spot

88-90°F (31-32°C)

Nighttime

70-75°F (21-24°C)

Heating method

Basking bulb and/or under-tank heater

Humidity range

60-80%

Maintenance

Mist heavily 1-2 times daily. Provide good ventilation to prevent mold. They are from tropical rainforests.

UVB

Not required; optional 2-5% UVB beneficial

Photoperiod

12-14 hours on / 10-12 hours off

Lighting notes

No UVB required but low-level UVB (2-5%) can be beneficial. Provide 12-14 hour day/night cycle.

Staple food

Crickets, dubia roaches, superworms

Variety

Hornworms; occasional pinky mice for adults as treat

Frequency

Juveniles: daily. Adults: every other day, 4-6 appropriately sized insects per feeding.

Supplements

Dust insects with calcium with D3 2x per week and multivitamin once per week.

Notes

Insectivore: Crickets, dubia roaches, superworms, hornworms. Occasional pinky mice for adults as treat. They have hearty appetites.

Water bowl

Shallow dish; replace daily; primarily drink misted droplets

Notes

Mist heavily 1-2x daily. Provide water dish but they primarily drink droplets. Change water dish daily.

Disposition

Display species; highly defensive with a powerful bite; not recommended for handling

Recommendations

NOT recommended for handling. Tokay geckos are defensive, have powerful bites that can break skin, and are very fast. They are best as display animals. Handle only when necessary for health checks.

Respiratory infections from improper humidity/temperature, parasites, and stress-related issues from excessive handling.

Tokay geckos can live 10-20 years. They are extremely vocal, especially at night, calling loudly to establish territory and attract mates. Their bite is strong enough to draw blood and they hold on tenaciously. Males are very territorial. These geckos are often wild-caught, which contributes to their defensive nature. Best for experienced keepers who want a beautiful display species. Their feet have incredible adhesive ability and they can climb glass and vertical surfaces easily.