Tokay gecko

Their signature feature is the disc-shaped toe pads that let them walk effortlessly up any vertical surface — wood, glass, walls. The skin is pale grey or light blue with red, orange or brown spots. Males reach 35 cm and up to 150 g (specimens of 300 g are on record), reaching full size only after their second year.

Tokays are famous for their attitude — unless handled from hatching, they will readily try to bite, and the bite is strong and painful. In the wild they live alone; never house two males together, nor animals of very different sizes.

In breeding season the male gives the trademark barking call — “to-kay!” — which gave the species its name. Like many geckos, a threatened Tokay can drop its tail, which later regenerates.

An arboreal rainforest species, the Tokay needs a vertical enclosure: 40×45×60 cm minimum, ideally 60×60×70 cm. Thick bamboo or bark leaned against the back wall makes the best décor, with hides in both the warm and cool zones. A 10 cm layer of coir substrate holds humidity well.

Light on a 12/12 cycle; a UVA/UVB bulb is only needed with live plants, otherwise a regular 40–60 W bulb will do. Temperature 25–29 °C, up to 35 °C under the spot lamp; in winter add a ceramic bulb or heat cable if needed. Keep humidity at 60–90% with daily misting — spray the enclosure edges, because that’s how a Tokay drinks: almost never from a dish.

Tokays are insectivores with an excellent appetite. Offer smaller animals small crickets, mealworms and small dubia; as they grow, move up to large dubia, superworms, crickets and even pinky mice. Dust 4 juvenile meals a week with calcium and 1–2 with vitamins; adults need 1–2 calcium and 1 vitamin meal weekly.