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Care sheet

Tokay Gecko

Gekko gecko

Gekkonidae · Squamata

IntermediateCITES IIIUCN LC
Activity
🌙 Nocturnal
Temperament
Defensive
Adult length
10–15 in
Lifespan (captivity)
10–15 yrs
Native range
Southeast Asia — forests and increasingly human dwellings

Care guide

Overview

Tokay Gecko (Gekko gecko) — a large, vividly blue-spotted arboreal gecko famous for its loud call and fierce bite. Rewarding to keep but not a handling pet; provide height, cork bark, humidity, and UVB.

Environment

Climate

Cool side
75–80 °F
Warm side
82–88 °F
Basking spot
88–92 °F
Nighttime
72–78 °F
Humidity (ambient)
60–80%

Environment

UVB lighting

Required?
Yes — provide UVB
Fixture type
T5 HO
Replacement interval
Every 12 months

Housing

Enclosure

Orientation
Arboreal
Bioactive setup
Suitable
Minimum size by life stage
  • HatchlingNot specified
  • JuvenileNot specified
  • Adult18x18x24 in (tall) with cork bark and branches

Housing

Substrate

Safe options
coco fiberbioactive soilsphagnum moss
Avoid
cedarpinedry-only substrate

Nutrition

Diet & feeding

Dietary type
Insectivore
Feeding frequency by life stage
  • JuvenileDaily
  • AdultEvery 2-3 days
Supplementation

Dust feeders with calcium; multivitamin per schedule. Large adults take the occasional pinky.

Care

Water & behavior

Water

Water bowl plus daily misting to hold 60-80% humidity.

Legal & ecology

Conservation

CITES
Appendix II
IUCN Red List
LC · Least Concern
Wild populations

CITES Appendix II (2019 listing, driven by heavy trade). Loud, powerful, and notoriously bite-prone — a display animal for experienced keepers.

Genetics

Morphs

Morph market
Active
Complexity
Moderate

Citations

Sources

Every husbandry parameter on this page is backed by the references below. Click through to read the originals.

  1. Gekko gecko — species account

    Animal Diversity Web, U. Michigan

    academic

    SE Asia range, nocturnal arboreal biology, vocalization.

    Published: 2020-01-01

  2. Gekko gecko — CITES Appendix II (2019)

    CITES

    government

    Listed on Appendix II due to trade volume.

    Published: 2019-01-01

  3. Tokay Gecko Care Sheet

    ReptiFiles (Mariah Healey)

    breeder community

    Arboreal setup, humidity, UVB, temperament, feeding.

    Published: 2022-01-01

Tokay Gecko (Gekko gecko) care sheet — Herpetoverse