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Tokay Gecko

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(New page: == Introduction == <div style="float: right; padding: 5px;">http://www.thereptilefile.com/files/tokay_gecko.jpg</div> Tokay Gecko’s (Gekko gecko) are nocturnal gecko originating from Sou...)
Current revision (21:39, 2 April 2008) (view source)
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== Taxomony ==
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'''Order:''' Squamata <br />
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'''Family:''' Gekkonidae <br />
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'''Genus:''' Gekko <br />
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'''Species:''' Gecko
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== Introduction ==
== Introduction ==
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<div style="float: right; padding: 5px;">http://www.thereptilefile.com/files/tokay_gecko.jpg</div>
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[[Image:polka_dots_galore.jpg|thumb|left|Photo by [http://www.thereptilefile.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=48 Tokay's_Unlimited]]]Tokay Gecko’s (Gekko gecko) are nocturnal gecko originating from Southeast Asia, India, western New Guinea, Indonesia, and Bangladesh. These geckos are arboreal, or tree-dwelling, usually found in the rainforest trees. In the wild they can sometimes be found living in the homes of people in search of insects.
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Tokay Gecko’s (Gekko gecko) are nocturnal gecko originating from Southeast Asia, India, western New Guinea, Indonesia, and Bangladesh. These geckos are arboreal, or tree-dwelling, usually found in the rainforest trees. In the wild they can sometimes be found living in the homes of people in search of insects. Tokay’s can grow between 8 to 14 inches, depending on the sex.
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These geckos are not known for being friendly and easy to handle. Their space is their own and they aim to keep it that way. They have strong jaws and many sharp, little teeth they can inflict some kind of damage with as adults.
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Tokay's are a very vocal lizard. At night they will call in a sound that's known as "barking". Some Tokay keepers have even had to move their wards to another part of the house for the noise they can make.
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== Difficulty ==
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Intermediate. They don't require special lighting, but they should be kept in a room where they can still get the light and dark periods of the day called the photoperiod. Keep the cage out of the sun, but do allow the light in the room. They're care requirements, though easier than most diurnal lizards, still must be met in order to have a "happy", and most certainly, healthy Tokay gecko.
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--[[User:Prism wolf|Prism wolf]] 22:27, 2 April 2008 (EDT)
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== Basic Info ==
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=== Size ===
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Tokay’s can grow between 8 to 14 inches, depending on the sex.
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=== Lifespan ===
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Tokay geckos have a lifespan of 10 to 20 years in captivity.
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=== Handling ===
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Most Tokay Gecko's will not tolerate handling. They are extremely fast and will often bite. There has been Tokay Gecko's that have been handled, but this should not be expected of the typical Tokay.
== Housing ==
== Housing ==
Since Tokay Gecko’s are arboreal, they require a tall terrarium, rather than long. A 20 gallon tall would be suitable for a single gecko, but larger is always better. Exo-Terra and ZooMed both make glass terrariums that open from the front with screen lids. These are great for Tokay’s, the 24”x24”x24” Exo-Terra would easily house a pair. Like other geckos, Tokay males cannot be housed together. Make sure to monitor female tokay’s that are housed together because even they have fights.
Since Tokay Gecko’s are arboreal, they require a tall terrarium, rather than long. A 20 gallon tall would be suitable for a single gecko, but larger is always better. Exo-Terra and ZooMed both make glass terrariums that open from the front with screen lids. These are great for Tokay’s, the 24”x24”x24” Exo-Terra would easily house a pair. Like other geckos, Tokay males cannot be housed together. Make sure to monitor female tokay’s that are housed together because even they have fights.
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== Substrate ==
 
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The best substrate to use is one that will help hold humidity. Cypress mulch, Repti-Bark, and other soil-like mixtures are some decent choices. Cypress mulch can be purchased fairly cheap at any local home improvement/gardening store.
 
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== Hides ==
 
Tokay’s are arboreal, so vines and leaves are the best addition to their environment. Make sure the vines are strong enough to hold up the Tokay, and will not cause it to fall off. These also must support the weight of the gecko jumping back and forth, so the thicker vines are often better, as well as heavier leaves.
Tokay’s are arboreal, so vines and leaves are the best addition to their environment. Make sure the vines are strong enough to hold up the Tokay, and will not cause it to fall off. These also must support the weight of the gecko jumping back and forth, so the thicker vines are often better, as well as heavier leaves.
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== Temperature and Humidity ==
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=== Substrate ===
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The best substrate to use is one that will help hold humidity. Cypress mulch, Repti-Bark, and other soil-like mixtures are some decent choices. Cypress mulch can be purchased fairly cheap at any local home improvement/gardening store.
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=== Temperature ===
During the day the temperature should be between 80-90F. This can be achieved with heat lamps above the tank. Overnight the terrarium can drop to 70-80F without a problem, so turning off the light at night and allowing the temperature to drop is okay.
During the day the temperature should be between 80-90F. This can be achieved with heat lamps above the tank. Overnight the terrarium can drop to 70-80F without a problem, so turning off the light at night and allowing the temperature to drop is okay.
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=== Humidity ===
Humidity should be around 70%, and should not drop below 50%. This can be maintained by misting the terrarium a few times a day. Using a hygrometer to measure humidity is important. I recommend a digital one, as they tend to be more accurate.
Humidity should be around 70%, and should not drop below 50%. This can be maintained by misting the terrarium a few times a day. Using a hygrometer to measure humidity is important. I recommend a digital one, as they tend to be more accurate.
== Feeding ==
== Feeding ==
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=== Diet ===
Tokay’s eat insects, which can include mealworms, superworms, crickets, locusts, and other feeders. Make sure to gutload all feeders 24 hours prior to feeding it to the Tokay, this way the gecko will get the most nutrition out of the food. Dusting with calcium 2-3 times a week should also be done.
Tokay’s eat insects, which can include mealworms, superworms, crickets, locusts, and other feeders. Make sure to gutload all feeders 24 hours prior to feeding it to the Tokay, this way the gecko will get the most nutrition out of the food. Dusting with calcium 2-3 times a week should also be done.
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== Sexing ==
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=== Supplements ===
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Calcium-dusted live food should be offered 2-3x a week. The calcium should be calcium only - no phosphorous - no D3.
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--[[User:Prism wolf|Prism wolf]] 22:25, 2 April 2008 (EDT)
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=== Hydration ===
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Tokay's are dew-drinkers and the cage should be misted once at night and again in the morning to ensure they get some form of water to drink. Sometimes allowing an ice cube to drip into a water dish will temp them to drink from the water their, but not often.
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--[[User:Prism wolf|Prism wolf]] 22:26, 2 April 2008 (EDT)
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== Advanced ==
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=== Sexing ===
Sexing Tokay Gecko’s is fairly simple with adults. Males have preanal pores, while females do not. These pores are arranged in a “V” shape. Running fingers over the pores will allow one to feel the wax. If there is no wax or pores, then the gecko is a female. It can take up to a year to properly sex a Tokay Gecko. Some males will not show themselves until this time, but after a year if there are no pore then the gecko is most likely a female.
Sexing Tokay Gecko’s is fairly simple with adults. Males have preanal pores, while females do not. These pores are arranged in a “V” shape. Running fingers over the pores will allow one to feel the wax. If there is no wax or pores, then the gecko is a female. It can take up to a year to properly sex a Tokay Gecko. Some males will not show themselves until this time, but after a year if there are no pore then the gecko is most likely a female.
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== Conclusion ==
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If you're looking for a lizard you can easily handle - then a Tokay is not for you. You need to go into ownership knowing this is a display animal only. If it does become one of the rare ones that allows for handling then you have a bonus. Expect to be bitten, and expect it to hurt. And depending upon how afraid you or the kids are afraid of the dark...then maybe a "barking" gecko is best left to someone who won't creep out at the sound...;-)
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--[[User:Prism wolf|Prism wolf]] 22:31, 2 April 2008 (EDT)
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== References ==
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=== Websites ===
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*[http://www.wnyherp.org/care-sheets/lizards/tokay-gecko.php Tokay Gecko Care Sheet]
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*[http://www.anapsid.org/tokays.html Anapsid - Tokay Care]
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*[http://www.geckonetwork.com/caresheettokay.htm Gecko Network - Tokay Guide]
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=== Books ===
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Please contribute to this section.
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== Author ==
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This article was originally written by
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[http://www.thereptilefile.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=2 c1rc4].
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View other articles by
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[http://www.thereptilefile.com/wiki/index.php?title=Category:c1rc4 c1rc4].
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Please note that others may have contributed to this article.
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[[Category:Care Guides]]
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[[Category:c1rc4]]

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