Tokay geckos (Gekko gecko) are fascinating, nocturnal, arboreal lizards native to Southeast Asia and other parts of the world. Known for their striking appearance and loud vocalizations, these geckos have become popular among reptile enthusiasts. This article provides a detailed overview of the tokay gecko's diet and nutritional needs, offering essential information for both novice and experienced keepers.
Introduction to Tokay Geckos
Tokay geckos are known for their pale gray to blue base color adorned with orange, red, or black spots, depending on their locality. These robust lizards can grow up to 16 inches long, with females generally smaller than males. They are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night. Tokay geckos are typically found in tropical forests but can also be found in human homes hunting insects.
Nutritional Needs of Tokay Geckos
Tokay geckos are primarily insectivores, requiring a varied diet of insects to obtain the necessary nutrients. In the wild, their diet consists mainly of insects such as cockroaches, grasshoppers, and centipedes. They are also known to occasionally consume frogs, lizards, and snakes. In captivity, it is best to focus on providing a diverse range of insects, supplemented with occasional vertebrate treats.
Feeding Schedule
Juvenile tokay geckos should be fed daily, while adults can be fed every other day. The amount of food offered should be limited to what the gecko can consume within a 5-minute period. Insects offered should be no larger than the gecko's head.
Suitable Feeder Insects
The following insects are suitable for tokay geckos:
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- Crickets
- Dubia roaches
- Discoid roaches
- Red runner roaches
- Grasshoppers/locusts
- Hornworms
- Silkworms
- Beetles
- Grubs
- Isopods (pill bugs)
- Moths
Crested gecko diet and pinky mice can be offered as occasional treats, no more than twice a month.
Variety is Key
Providing a healthy, balanced diet for your tokay gecko requires variety. A diverse diet ensures that the gecko receives a wide range of nutrients, promoting better health and a more enthusiastic appetite.
Supplementation
Feeder insects should be dusted with a light coating of calcium powder before each feeding to balance their calcium-phosphorus ratio. Adding a multivitamin to the routine can help prevent deficiencies. Repashy CalciumPlus LoD is a suitable all-in-one supplement. Follow the label instructions for best results. Vitamin supplements are unnecessary, and in fact are often harmful.
Gut-Loading
Gut-loading is the practice of feeding insects a diet high in calcium, protein, and other nutrients prior to offering them to reptiles. Domestic crickets and mealworms should be fed a commercial, grain-based, calcium-enriched cricket diet. A diet consisting of four parts chicken or turkey starter mash and one part calcium carbonate can also be used for two to three days before feeding the insects to your pet. Offer the crickets water in a shallow dish or wet sponge.
Hydration
Tokay geckos require access to fresh, clean water. While they may obtain some moisture from daily misting, a bowl of clean water should always be available on a magnetic gecko ledge. Tokay geckos will usually not drink from a water bowl but will lap up water misted on the walls of their cage or on plants placed in the cage. Misting should be done at least once per day.
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Environmental Enrichment
Enrichment items are essential for encouraging exercise, stimulating natural instincts, and promoting overall well-being. Without décor, the terrarium is simply a glass box. Given that tokay geckos are arboreal, climbing and hiding are their most important natural behaviors. Provide lots of branches, vines, and foliage to fulfill that need. Live plants are particularly critical to helping your mini-ecosystem function properly.
Housing Requirements
The minimum enclosure size for a single tokay gecko is 24” L x 24” W x 48” H. However, larger enclosures are always better. A juvenile will need at least a 10-gallon tank, while an adult should be housed in a 20-gallon tank or larger. The enclosure should have a secure mesh top to prevent escape and ensure proper airflow.
Substrate
A moisture-retentive substrate similar to the soil in a tokay gecko’s natural habitat is ideal. Some reliable options include:
- DIY tropical mix: 60% organic topsoil, 40% coconut fiber
- Zoo Med Reptisoil
- Zoo Med Eco Earth
- Exo Terra Plantation Soil
- The Bio Dude Terra Fauna bioactive kit
Only 2″ / 10cm of substrate should be needed, unless planting plants directly into the substrate. For best results, add a generous layer of leaf litter on top. Feces and urates should be removed daily, and contaminated substrate should be scooped out and replaced. Gravel, dry orchid bark, forest mulch, and folded paper can also be used.
Temperature and Lighting
Tokay geckos are nocturnal but still benefit from UVB lighting. UVB lighting can be tricky, because in order to get the right strength of UVB (measured by UV Index, or UVI), distance must be considered. As a rough estimate, to provide appropriate UVB to a tokay gecko in a 48” tall enclosure, you will need one of the following:
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- Zoo Med T8 ReptiSun 5.0 + Zoo Med T8 Reptisun Terrarium Hood
- Arcadia ShadeDweller Arboreal UVB kit
Place the basking branch no closer than 6” below the lamp. UVB bulbs must be replaced every 12 months in order to remain effective. Daytime ambient temperature (everywhere in the enclosure) for Tokay geckos should be maintained around 78-85 degrees F. Nighttime ambient temperature should be maintained around 74-80 degrees F.
Basking Area
A basking area with a temperature of 90-100°F (32-38°C) should be provided using a white incandescent heat lamp or a low-wattage halogen flood bulb (two for large geckos) like the 50w Arcadia Halogen Heat Lamp and a fixture like the Dome Fixture. The basking area should be a vine or branch directly under the heat lamp. To track basking temperature, use a digital probe thermometer, with the probe zip-tied to the basking surface under the heat source.
Night Heat
Tokay geckos prefer warmer nighttime temperatures than present in the average home, so a lightless heat source for nighttime heating may be needed. A ceramic heat emitter can be used.
Humidity
Tokay geckos thrive in a high-humidity environment with levels between 60-80%, as measured by a digital probe hygrometer. Humidity levels that are consistently too high or low can cause health problems. Mist the enclosure every morning and evening, preferably when it’s dark, to raise humidity and provide a source of drinking water. A fogger/cool mist humidifier with distilled water can be used at night to increase humidity.
Handling and Temperament
Tokay geckos are known to be easily stressed and generally do not enjoy being handled. They are territorial and will fight if kept together. They are more of a look-but-don’t-touch display animal rather than a pet that you can handle regularly. However, they can be tamed if you’re willing to put in the work. The key to taming a tokay gecko is building trust. Offer insects or treats via soft-tipped feeding tongs. Over time, the gecko may be convinced to climb onto your hand/arm before returning to its enclosure.
Health and Maintenance
Spot-clean the tokay gecko’s habitat daily, removing any soiled material and discarded food. 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. Tokay geckos should be seen by a veterinarian annually for a physical exam, fecal testing, and blood work if needed.