Tokay Gecko Care Sheet

Tokay Gecko Species Overview

Tokay geckos are tropical lizards native to Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. In addition to their native habitats, they have also established populations in Florida, Hawaii, Belize, and Martinique. 

These geckos are nocturnal (active at night) and arboreal, meaning adapted for life in trees.

Tokay Gecko Sound

Tokay geckos are named for the sounds they make. They seek potential mates by communicating with each other using a unique vocalization that sounds like “to-kay.” They can also hiss and croak to ward off predators. 

Tokay Gecko Characteristics

Difficulty of Care	Advanced
Average Lifespan	Up to 10+ years with proper care
Average Adult Size	8–16 inches long
Diet	Insectivore
Minimum Habitat Size	10-gallon tank for one juvenile; 20-gallon tank for one adult

 

Tokay Gecko Handling

Tokay geckos are known to be easily stressed and generally do not enjoy being handled. When feeling threatened, ill, or scared, they may become aggressive and bite. If bitten, do not try to pry the gecko off. Instead, set the animal down on a flat surface and wait for them to relax and release their bite. 

Like other lizards, Tokay geckos can detach their tails when restrained, allowing them to escape predators. Their tail will regrow in about 30 days, but the new tail will not look the same as the original. NEVER grab or pick up a gecko by their tail. 

All reptiles can potentially carry infectious diseases, including Salmonella bacteria, which is zoonotic (transmissible to humans). Always wash your hands before and after handling your gecko or anything in their habitat. 

Tokay Gecko Supplies

To keep a Tokay gecko happy and healthy, have these basic supplies on hand: 

• Appropriately sized habitat 

• Substrate (material used to line the bottom of the enclosure)

• Sphagnum moss 

• Food and water dishes 

• Mealworm dish 

• Hideaway place 

• Climbing decor 

• Plants 

• Heat lights and fixtures 

• UVB lighting 

• Under-tank heater 

• Thermostat 

• Multivitamin supplement 

• Calcium supplement, with vitamin D 

• Cricket keeper 

• Live insects 

• Cricket food 

• Cricket quencher 

• Thermometers 

• Humidity gauge 

• Mister 

Tokay Gecko Habitat

Tokay geckos must be housed individually, as they are territorial and will fight if kept together. A juvenile will need at least a 10-gallon tank, while an adult should be housed in a 20-gallon tank or larger. All habitats should have a secure mesh top to prevent escape and ensure proper airflow. It’s always best to provide the largest habitat possible. 

Temperature 

Like other reptiles, Tokay geckos are ectothermic, meaning they rely on heat in their environment to regulate their body temperature. They require a temperature gradient with 90–105 F in the basking zone, 80–85 F during the day, and no lower than 75 F in the cool zone or at night.

Reptiles that aren’t kept within the appropriate temperature ranges are more likely to become immunosuppressed and eventually sick.   

Check the temperatures in your gecko’s habitat daily. Place two thermometers—one in the warm area and one in the cool area—so that both zones can be monitored at once. A digital point-and-shoot thermometer can also be used to read habitat temperatures instantly.  

Light and Heat Sources 

An incandescent light or ceramic heater should be placed at one end of the Tokay gecko’s tank to create a basking area for use during the day. The wattage needed for the bulb depends on the size of the enclosure, the distance of the bulb from the reptile, and the ambient temperature of the room. Adjust the wattage of the bulb to maintain the recommended temperature gradient within the tank.

Note: Some light bulbs provide not only light but also heat and/or ultraviolet (UV) light. Double-check the light sources you’re considering to make sure they are appropriate for use in the tank. 

• Heat sources should be connected to a thermostat to keep temperatures within a safe and comfortable range. 

• Hot rocks should never be used, as they can get too warm and cause injury.  

• If an under-tank heating pad is used, it must also be connected to a thermostat to prevent burns.  

UV Light 

Tokay geckos are nocturnal lizards that can survive without supplemental UV light exposure if they’re getting enough vitamin D3 in their diet. However, providing a Tokay gecko with 10 to 12 hours of UV light each day can help establish a healthy day/night cycle and may assist in the synthesis of vitamin D in their skin, ensuring they can properly absorb calcium from their diet. 

• Since UV lights differ in intensity and different species have varying requirements, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for bulb placement relative to the pet.

• Because their potency diminishes over time, UV lights should be replaced every six months, even if the bulb still emits light. 

Humidity 

As a tropical species, Tokay geckos require humidity in their environment to stay hydrated, support their respiratory system, and encourage healthy shedding cycles. The ideal humidity range for a Tokay gecko’s habitat is 60–80%. In excessively wet conditions, geckos may develop fungal and bacterial infections, so make sure the habitat is properly ventilated. 

Since these lizards are nocturnal, mist your Tokay gecko’s habitat every night, either manually or with an automatic misting system. This helps maintain proper humidity levels and provides the gecko with water to drink. Additionally, as reptiles stay hydrated by absorbing moisture through their skin, the habitat should include a water dish that’s large enough for the gecko to soak in. 

Substrate 

The bottom of a Tokay gecko’s habitat should be lined with a substrate that retains moisture well, such as sphagnum moss, coconut fiber, orchid bark, or pelleted paper-based bedding. However, do not allow the bedding or to become too wet, as then it can stick to the gecko’s feet and increase their risk of respiratory tract infections. The substrate must be spot-cleaned daily and changed frequently to prevent mold growth. 

Avoid using gravel, wood chips, and walnut shells, as these materials are indigestible and can lead to a fatal gastrointestinal tract obstruction if consumed. 

Decor and Accessories 

Hiding Area

Since Tokay geckos are nocturnal, they should be provided with hiding areas to rest in during the day. Ideally, give your gecko at least two hiding spots—one on the cool end of their enclosure and one on the warm end.  

• Hiding spots should be elevated off the enclosure’s floor. 

• Monitor your gecko to ensure they are not spending all of their time hiding and are getting enough exposure to UV light. 

Climbing Branches and Basking Rocks

Include a large basking rock or sturdy branch in your Tokay gecko’s habitat so they can climb and bask as needed. Basking branches must be large and sturdy enough to support the gecko’s body; otherwise, they could topple over and potentially cause injury. 

Plants

Add tall, dense, and non-toxic live or artificial plants to the enclosure to create coverage and hiding spots. 

Tokay Gecko Tank Cleaning

Spot-clean your Tokay gecko’s habitat daily, removing any soiled material and discarded food. Water and food bowls should be washed daily. 

Additionally, a Tokay gecko’s habitat must be cleaned thoroughly and disinfected at least once a week.

To clean a Tokay gecko’s habitat, follow these steps: 

1. Move the gecko to a secure environment.

2. Remove any old substrate, decor, and accessories from the habitat. 

3. Scrub the empty tank and furnishings with a reptile habitat cleaner or a 3% bleach solution. Allow the bleach solution to sit on the surfaces for at least 10 minutes to ensure proper disinfection. If using a commercial habitat cleaner, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. 

4. Rinse the habitat and accessories thoroughly with water, making sure that all traces of the cleaning agent or bleach solution are removed.  

5. Allow the habitat and its contents to dry completely before adding new substrate and clean accessories. 

6. Return the gecko to the clean habitat. 

Tokay Gecko Diet

Tokay geckos are primarily insectivorous (bug-eating) reptiles and should be fed a variety of gut-loaded (recently fed and nutrient-rich) insects. Some Tokay geckos may also eat frozen/thawed fuzzy mice as an occasional treat. Juvenile Tokay geckos should be fed daily, while adults should be fed every other day. 

Fresh, clean water should always be available in a bowl that’s large and shallow enough for the lizard to soak in. Tokay geckos can also stay hydrated by drinking dew that forms in their habitat from daily misting. 

A nutritious and well-balanced diet for a Tokay gecko consists of gut-loaded insects and worms, including:

1. Crickets

2. Roaches

3. Mealworms

4. Hornworms

5. Calci-worms

6. Superworms

7. Waxworms

For a happy and healthy gecko, be sure to vary the type of insects in their diet. Insects should be no larger than the space between the gecko’s eyes, and Tokay geckos should be given only as many insects as they can eat within a 30-minute period. 

Tokay Gecko Vitamin Supplements

Before feeding, dust your gecko’s insects with a powdered vitamin supplement. Geckos need a calcium supplement with vitamin D and a multivitamin/mineral powder designed for reptiles. 

Juveniles should be given a calcium supplement with vitamin D daily and a multivitamin/mineral supplement one to two times a week. Adults should be given a calcium supplement with vitamin D two to three times a week and a multivitamin/mineral supplement one to two times a week. 

To dust insects quickly and efficiently, place them in a bag or disposable plastic container along with a powdered supplement. Shake the bag lightly until the insects are coated evenly in powder. 

How To Gut-Load Insects 

Before being fed to a gecko, live insects must be gut-loaded with a nutrient-dense insect supplement to improve their nutritional value. Gut-loading diets are fortified with vitamins and minerals to provide optimal nutrition to the reptiles that feed on them. 

To gut-load prey, place the insects in a container with a gut-loading diet that they can feed freely on. Insects should be gut-loaded for at least 24–72 hours before being dusted with a powdered supplement and fed to a gecko. 

Tokay Gecko Care Tips

Healthy Tokay geckos shed their skin regularly. Unlike snakes, geckos shed their skin in patches rather than as a single, complete piece. 

To encourage healthy shedding, keep the enclosure’s humidity level within the ideal range. To create a humid hide for your lizard, fill a hideout with moistened sphagnum moss or substrate. At least twice a week, soak your Tokay gecko in a large, shallow container of warm water to help them shed their skin more easily. The water container should be wide enough to allow the gecko to submerge their entire body while keeping their head above water.  

Additionally, while a gecko is shedding, handling should be kept to a minimum, as they are often more irritable during this time.    

Tokay Gecko Veterinary Care

Annual Care

Tokay geckos should be seen by a veterinarian annually for a physical exam, fecal testing, and blood work if needed. It is recommended that you take photos of their enclosure so your veterinarian can assess the conditions you maintain in your gecko’s habitat and make any recommendations for improvement.

When it’s time for a vet visit, transport your gecko in a well-ventilated plastic container or critter keeper. You may need to add a heat source, such as a microwavable wheat bag or hot water bottle, but remember to wrap it in a towel to make sure it does not burn your gecko. Line the container with paper towels, a small hand towel, or reptile carpet for extra comfort.

Signs of a Healthy Tokay Gecko

1. Active

2. Clean, clear eyes

3. Clean skin, free of abrasions or color changes

4. Clean nostrils

5. Clean vent (excretion opening)

6. Formed droppings

7. Good appetite

8. Moving around normally and comfortably

When To Call a Vet

1. Loss of appetite or interest in food

2. Lethargy or unusual inactivity

3. Nasal discharge or changes in breathing

4. Swelling, damage, or changes in skin color

5. Weight loss

6. Limping or difficulty moving around

7. Loose or abnormal droppings

8. Eye discharge or swelling

9. Retained shed

10. Any injuries or trauma

11. Prolapse or tissue protruding from the vent

12. Ulcers or excessive discharge in the mouth

Common Illnesses in Tokay Geckos

1. Metabolic bone disease

2. Dysecdysis, or abnormal shedding

3. Respiratory infections

4. Skin infections

5. Intestinal or external parasites