Tokay Gecko. Average Tokay Gecko Size. Scientifically known as the Eublepharis Macularius, these lizards grow up to 8-10 inches long and live around 20 years in captivity. Once you gain the trust of your gecko, the bond you can share can be strong. This care sheet is showing the way we found works best for us from our many years of experience of caring for this species. A Tokay gecko should have a tank that’s between 80 to 85 °F (26.7 to 29.4 °C) (26 to 29ºC). Home » Reptiles & Amphibians » Lizards » Geckos, Pet Educate is sponsored by its readers. In the wild, their attitudes can be heightened, especially when a … A gecko may also bite if they feels scared or agitated. be careful holding the gecko, not for your health but the sake of the animal, most geckos are very fast and will go running out of your hands with no care of the height the will be falling. 3. Tokay Geckos for Sale in the United States. The tokay gecko is a medium sized, tropical lizard inhabiting much of Southeast Asia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and all adjacent islands. The tokay gecko can cast off its tail in defense, breaking it off at several sections. In the wild, their attitudes can be heightened, especially when a predator is in their midst. Where the gecko came from is another thing to consider. “The gecko has been sold for RM1 million … [Owners Financial Guide]. With that said, you should plan on only getting a captive-bred gecko, because they are used to living with humans and other animals. Tokay geckoes face a wide range of predators including snakes, frogs and birds. Compared to other gecko species, Tokay geckos have a robust build, with a semi-prehensile tail, a large head, and muscular jaws. "When they swallow something relatively large, it can make them less mobile, so when they're harassed, it's common for them to regurgitate the meal," he said. As an owner, it is also imperative that you clean out their tanks and habitats often with a good disinfectant ; being aware of the fact that geckos will have crawled and climbed across everything within the enclosure. Any prospective owners, who are on the fence, can be confident knowing that geckos are perfectly safe to own as pets. The cast-off portion of the tail continues to move violently for several minutes, giving the gecko time to escape. While most geckos are harmless, one common pet gecko is a notorious biter, and that is the Tokay gecko. Scientific name: Gekko gecko We have thousands of exotic reptiles for sale from top breeders from around the world. These feisty geckos do not seem to be intimidated by human presence and are commonly found near and within human habitations. [Owners Guide], How Much Do Sugar Gliders Cost? The last thing you want to do as a gecko owner is make your pet stressed or nervous; you may never gain their trust. Wash your gecko in a basin designated for them and never in a sink or bath that is commonly shared with humans. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding, be able to set your expectations and be aware of any considerations worth remembering. I decided to conduct some research into the topic. It is also not a good idea to attempt to pick them up when they are eating or sleeping. Use a thermometer to regulate the temperature of the tank. Be sure to keep a gecko away from your kitchen or any other area where food is prepared or consumed. Keeping a reptile doesn’t pose a health risk to most people, so long as the owner practices proper sanitation and is very careful. The eyes of a Tokay Gecko are very unusual with vertically slit pupils. John Virata, Tokay geckos are known to be fairly aggressive, and when kept as pets, can inflict a painful bite. If you were wondering whether geckos were dangerous, hopefully by now you will have learned that they are generally harmless to humans and rarely bite. Therefore maintaining excellent hygiene when handling your gecko is crucial for everyone. This is both hard and time-consuming. These lizards usually have gentle natures, and it is unlikely that a captive-bred gecko would attack their owner. A friendly captive tokay gecko is both an accomplishment and proof of your geckokeeping skills. But because, for most gecko owners, normal feeding is a sign of good health, it becomes alarming to see that their geckos are not eating. The tail also continues to move for a period of time after detaching. This is controlled by a simple on off thermostat with the intention of keeping that side panel of glass at 80f. The Tokay gecko’s bite can be quite painful and your gecko may latch on to your skin for up to an hour. With a length of 11 to 20 inches for males, and 7 to 19 inches for females, the Tokay gecko, also known as the Gekko gecko, is considered the second-largest gecko species in the world.It is a nocturnal arboreal gecko, with a cylindrical body shape, and its upper side somewhat flattened. They’re light too, with an estimated weight of around 100 grams when fully grown. Geckos are likely to transmit bacteria into the wound during biting and this can quickly lead to an infection. One of the most heavily trafficked animal species on the planet, the tokay gecko (Gekko gecko), got an important boost last month when the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) agreed to regulate any future trade of this species.CITES, a treaty signed by 183 member nations, aims to ensure that international trade in wild animals and … For more information, check out How It Works. Sharing this recovery through twitter handle, Principal Secretary of … After each attack, the snake remained perched on the tree. Max Nickerson, a curator with the Florida Museum of Natural History’s Division of Herpetology told National Geographic that the snakes giving up its meal was a non-surprise. Tokay geckos are the world’s second largest species of gecko, with males reaching lengths of up to 15 inches (38 centimeters). The tokay gecko is adapted to a primarily arboreal existence and possesses enlarged toe pads equipped with lamellae to aid in gripping. It is never easy for these reptiles to adjust to a new home, so don’t expect to have a confident pet and close bond with them straight away. Wild caught geckos may have different types of bacteria in their oral cavities than captive-hatched ones. If you are looking to get a pet gecko, then one of your primary concerns will be whether they are, or can be, dangerous. A strong relationship is crucial because, in reality, a gecko is trusting you with his life. Geckos are considered small lizards; with domesticated species (including the Leopard and Crested) reaching on average between 10-24 inches in length. Breakaway – Like a number of lizards, tokay geckos have breakaway tails. 5. The size of a tokay gecko is primarily influenced by genetics and if they were bred safely. Heating. The limbs are short and stocky, and the tail is semi-prehensile to aid in balance and maneuvering. These adaptions allow the tokay gecko to climb virtually any surface with ease, including glass. It would be best if you never put pressure on their tail; they are known to drop their tails as a way of distracting and confusing predators. The circumstances that might cause these reptiles to attack are if two males are housed together in the same habitat; it causes them to become territorial, stressed and on edge. Their needs, requirements and things to consider can change quite dramatically. For Enthusiasts, tokay geckos are easy to care for, don’t take up much space, and are relatively easy to breed.They’re a really good project gecko for those who want to get into keeping them! These Coloradans Already Did. Pet Educate is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. You need to wash your hands with hot water and soap after handling your gecko, touching their tank, their food, feces, and equipment. If you do decide to get one, be gentle and not do anything that might make your gecko nervous or stressed. They can take down larger prey than other geckos, but you should try to keep prey items to no larger than the widest part of the gecko's head. Life span: The lifespan of a Tokay Gecko is around 8 - 10 years although in captivity, with proper care, they can live for up to 10 years. So, are geckos dangerous? Of course, geckos have needs and if you are in the way of them being able to obtain and satisfy them, you can be told so! It is always good to stock up on an anti-biotic ointment like Neospirin just in case. Though common in the pet trade, the strong bite of the Tokay makes it ill-suited for inexperienced keepers. Generally speaking, geckos are harmless to humans. Believe it or not, how you house your gecko goes a long way in achieving your lizard’s trust. While a gecko may attempt to bite you, its good to learn that they are mostly non-venomous. We are pet enthusiasts and love sharing everything that we learn about them! Purchase an enclosure that opens from the front, they will see you coming to feed them and care for them, and they won’t be so nervous. The tokay gecko feeds on insects, fruit, vegetation and small vertebrates. If a predator grabs one by the tail, the gecko can “drop” its tail and continue to flee. Most geckos are fragile creatures, and when you handle one, you must be very gentle. We recommend you feed your Tokays every other day. Gecko bites are usually painless and not deep, but they can potentially transfer harmful bacteria, including Salmonella, which can cause an infection if left untreated. Common Name: Tokay Gecko Scientific Name: Gekko gecko Origin: Southeast Asia Size: 12-14" males; females slightly smaller Lifespan: 15-20 years You will find many ways on the internet on "how to" take care of this animal. Size: Adult males generally grow to around 12-15 inches in length with adult females growing to a slightly smaller size of 8-11 inches. Reaching up to 30-40cm in length and capable of inflicting a nasty bite, it preys on insects and small vertebrates, with snacks of fruit in between. A giant gecko, weighing 64 kilograms, was recently found in Kalakbakan, Malaysia – an area that shares a border with Indonesia – and was sold for RM64 million (US$19.5 million), Tribun Kaltim newspaper reported Friday. You don’t want to get bitten by this lizard, because their bites hurt a lot! These creatures are thought to be the second-largest gecko species in the world, second only to the New Caledonian Gecko. To avoid predation the tokay gecko is able to lose their tail. To avoid being bitten, always use thick gloves when you are handling your Tokay. Try browsing the Other Geckos Index if you're looking for something specific. Start This article has been rated as Start-Class on the project's quality scale. Most gecko species are small and docile, making them excellent pets. This distracts a predator with a free meal while the rest of the gecko escapes unscathed. Tokay geckos do bite and have powerful jaws. The average tokay gecko size is about 15 inches in length for males, and 8 to 12 inches for females. During the day your gecko will sleep in a head-down position. They are gentle in nature and unlikely to attack. During the day you can expect them to hide and sleep a lot. Numpet took out his phone and started recording the encounter as one of the Tokay geckos starts to attack and bite the tree snake, which doesn’t want to move from its perch.