thinking about picking up a Tokay Gecko

[fiveohatch]

i was at Petco today and they had a beautiful Tokay Gecko there (about 6" long or so). i've done some searching on here but haven't found much out.

i've currently got an emperor scoprion and have never had a lizard (i had a turtle when i was a little kid, that's different though). it doesn't bother me that the Tokay's are one of those "look but don't touch" pets since i've already got the scorpion.

basically, i'm just wondering what i'll need to take care of one.

what size tank do i need (like to keep it under $150us for everything if possible)?
do i need UV?
temp and humidity?
food (i'm assuming gut-loaded crickets, dusting)?

stuff like that. if someone knows of a good care sheet i'd like to see it.

i'm going to use some different search terms and see if i can find some answers. i've pretty much come across pics and people saying they're aggressive.

i just want to find out all i can before i decide to jump into something like this.


they've also got a bunch of Leopards there, but i just don't like them quite as much. i'd rather get one that is larger.

 

[MilkmanWes]

You can buy it, but I wouldnt pick it up. They have a nasty bite.

 

[Ravnos]

Just plug 'tokay gecko care' into Google, should give you lots of stuff - but anyway, tokay's are capable of around a foot in length, so a good sized cage is going to be necessary. They are climbers and stick to glass. You could probably get away with a 20 gallon long or a 29 gallon but a secure lid is a must.

They are nocturnal, and as long as their diet is adequate, UV should not be necessary. Some sort of basking light that gets one end of the cage to the high 80s should be good for temperature (some people use a red bulb or even a ceramic heat emitter). Food is real simple, dusted crickets. Though there are other options, thats probably the most readily available.

Tokays are known for their attitude problems. Many people call them the Nile monitor of the gecko world. I've come across a few nice ones, but in my experience, the vast majority of nice ones are only nice because they are sick in some way. A healthy one should also have a healthy attitude. They are very cool, but there are hundreds of gecko species to choose from for a pet, many that are friendlier, and handleable - not to mention, most tokays you'll find in pet stores are wild caught imports.

Rav

 

[dangerprone69]

Most Leopard Geckos and Bearded Dragons you see for sale are captive bred individuals. Although both those species make very interesting, docile pets, there is something about having a nasty foot-long Tokay Gecko. Their bites can be quite painful and they have a habit of not wanting to let go when they latch onto your fingers.

Tokays are voracious predators, but being noctural they rarely put on a show for their owners when they want them to.

 

[katescritters]

I currently have a 10 inch male tokay. He lives in a heavily planted 50 gallon tank. I do not use UV lighting (they are nocturnal, and don't need it). He eats anything that moves, including dead rodents I wiggle in front of him and any insect I chuck in there including half grown hissing roaches. The temp of the tank is about 80, with basking spots that get a bit hotter. Humidity is...actually, I have no idea. I mist the tank every few days, and keep the soil moist for all the plants.

Males like to scream TOKAY at the top of their lungs, so you may not want to keep them in say, your bedroom. God help you if the thing gets out, because it will try and tear your face off (which is why I love tokays). My boy got out a few years ago, and thankfully he's used to my hands being near him (I handfeed him rodents) because I just offered him my hand, he hopped onto it, and I put him back in his tank. It could have been very bloody.

 

[Scorpiove]

You can buy it, but I wouldnt pick it up. They have a nasty bite.

haha I thought of the same joke when I read the title of this thread.

 

[Nerri1029]

I've had 2 and I recommend them..

They are great to watch eat.. good hunters.. and they VOCALIZE.. something that is not to be missed..

and YES they bite.. their mouths are WAY bigger than they should be for a lizard that size.... and their attitude is even bigger..

 

[Israel2004]

I'll second the great lizard comment. I have a pair. Watch out for the bite. OUCH.

I've gotten bitten once, man did that leave a bloody gash in the finger. Housemate died laughing, seeing a gecko shoot out from under my bedroom door and me come running out into the hall with a finger gushing blood all over the place trying to catch the gecko.

Israel

 

[StOrM^]

u guys know it some part of my country we can wild catch these beautiful gecko. i remember once during my army in camp training in one of the islands i hear these gecko all night long. some times the locals or my master sergeant who always go these island call these gecko "f*ck you" lizards. coz the sound they make at night . sound like "Pak Ku" which also sound like "f*ck you". they live at the roofs of shelthers and often during night time comes very close to you. i remember one night when i turn my head to the side, i was staring right in the face of one mean Tokay. they are not afraid of you and will dash at you when in danger. this fellow bit me in the cheek. i was so shaken up that i will cover my face with my shirt when i sleep. i still got 2 more nights at the island. the next day my master SGT teaches me on how to catch them. juz use a fishing line (make sure thick, so it will not hurt the lizard) creat a loop that acts like a slip knot. once u spotted them use the loop and slowly put over the head n pull. u got urself a TOKAY.. that easy. i caught 3 and decided to keep them but the noise or sound they make prove too much. i release them .

 

[Israel2004]

Yesterday was out and about. Stopped in the one area pet store to see what they had, haven't been there in awhile. They had a monster tokay in there, of course I had to run and get some money, went back and bought him. Couldn't pass up getting him.

And this guy isn't afraid of anything. He stands his ground and lunges at you if you get to close.

 

[The Juice]

Any Pics? I have been trying to decide between a couple of tokay's or a Yellow Montior. I think tokay's are cool but I fear with the proper setup I will never see them. anybody have pics of their tokay setup?