10 to 14 in (25 to 35 cm)
Length (With Tails)
5.5 to 7.5 in (14 to 19 cm)
Length (Without Tails)
150 to 300 g (5.3 to 10.6 oz)
Weight

About

#Reptile

The Tokay gecko is one of the largest and most vocal geckos in the world, easily recognized by its vibrant coloration and loud, bark-like call. Native to Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, it thrives in rainforests, rocky outcrops, and even urban areas where it clings to walls and ceilings. Its adaptability has also led to its introduction in parts of Florida and other tropical locales.

Adults typically measure 25–35 cm (10–14 inches) in length, with males being larger and more brightly colored. Their skin is striking—bluish-gray with vivid orange or red spots—and covered in small tubercles that give them a bumpy texture. Equipped with large eyes and vertical pupils, the Tokay gecko is a nocturnal hunter, feeding on insects, small vertebrates, and occasionally fruit.

Named after its distinctive call that sounds like “to-kay! to-kay!”, this gecko is territorial and known for its aggressive defense behaviors, especially in males. When threatened, it may gape, bite, and vocalize loudly. Its bite is famously strong and often difficult to dislodge once latched.

Tokay geckos are oviparous, with females typically laying two hard-shelled eggs per clutch. They often use the same nesting sites repeatedly, adhering their eggs to protected surfaces in crevices or tree hollows.

While they are common in the pet trade, Tokay geckos require experienced handling due to their strength, size, and aggression. In some regions, they are also used in traditional medicine, which has contributed to population pressure.

The Tokay gecko’s scientific name is Gekko gecko, and it belongs to the family Gekkonidae.

Threatened:
Extinct
Critically Endangered
Endangered
Vulnerable
Near Threatened
Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

The Tokay Gecko (Gekko gecko) is one of the largest and most visually striking geckos in the world. Native to Southeast Asia and parts of the Indo-Pacific, it is known for its bold coloration, powerful jaws, and loud vocalizations.

Coloration:

  • Base color is typically blue-gray or slate blue

  • Body is covered in vivid orange or red spots, arranged in irregular rows

  • The underside is pale cream or off-white, and the skin may appear slightly granular or bumpy

  • Color intensity may shift slightly with mood or temperature

Head:

  • Broad, triangular head with a large jaw structure and prominent brow ridges

  • Large, lidless eyes with vertical pupils—excellent for night vision

  • The mouth is wide, with visible teeth and strong musculature, giving the Tokay its characteristic bite

Body and Skin:

  • The body is robust and muscular, with loose, velvety-textured skin

  • Covered in small granular scales interspersed with tubercles (raised bumps), giving a rough feel

Limbs and Toes:

  • Strong, well-developed limbs with broad, adhesive toe pads

  • Toes have lamellae (rows of microscopic hairs) that allow climbing on smooth vertical surfaces, even glass

  • Excellent climber and jumper, both vertically and horizontally

Tail:

  • Long, cylindrical, and slightly flattened, used for balance and fat storage

  • May be regenerated if dropped during a defensive escape

  • Displays subtle banding, often lighter than the body

Size:

  • Total Length: 10 to 14 in (25 to 35 cm), with males usually larger

  • Snout-to-vent length (SVL): 5.5 to 7.5 in (14 to 19 cm)

Weight:

  • 150 to 300 g (5.3 to 10.6 oz)

Sexual Dimorphism:

  • Males are typically larger, with a broader head, brighter coloration, and more pronounced femoral pores

  • Females are slightly smaller and paler in comparison

The Tokay Gecko’s vibrant coloring, powerful build, and wall-scaling abilities make it one of the most recognizable geckos in the world—and a top predator in its arboreal habitat.

Reproduction

The Tokay Gecko is oviparous, with a reproductive cycle adapted to humid, tropical climates. It is notable for its strong site fidelity, vocal courtship, and permanently attached eggs, making its reproductive strategy unique among geckos.

1. Mating Behavior:

  • Breeding occurs year-round in tropical regions, though activity may increase with rising temperatures and humidity

  • Males are highly territorial and attract females with their loud, repeated “to-kay!” calls

  • Courtship includes head bobbing, biting, and tail movement

  • Mating is vigorous, with males gripping females by the neck during copulation

2. Egg Laying (Oviposition):

  • Females typically lay 2 hard-shelled eggs per clutch, adhering them to surfaces such as tree bark, walls, or inside crevices

  • Eggs are calcareous and permanently affixed, unlike the buried or loose eggs of many other geckos

  • A single female may lay multiple clutches per year, spaced several weeks apart

3. Incubation Period:

  • Incubation lasts 60 to 120 days, depending on temperature and humidity

  • Eggs require stable warmth and moisture, often placed in hidden, humid microclimates

4. Hatchlings:

  • Hatchlings emerge fully independent, measuring 2.5 to 3.5 in (6.5 to 9 cm) in total length

  • They resemble miniature adults in pattern and behavior but are more secretive at first

  • Begin feeding on small insects within days of hatching

5. Sexual Maturity:

  • Reached at 12 to 18 months, depending on food availability and environmental conditions

  • Once mature, males become highly territorial and vocal

The Tokay Gecko’s permanently attached eggs, bold courtship behaviors, and extended breeding season enable it to reproduce successfully in tropical forests, urban environments, and even human dwellings.

Lifespan

The Tokay Gecko is a long-lived reptile, especially for a gecko species. Its strong body, territorial behavior, and arboreal lifestyle contribute to its survival both in the wild and in captivity—where it can live significantly longer under proper care.

Lifespan in the Wild:

  • Typically 7 to 10 years

  • Many individuals face early mortality due to predation, habitat loss, or human conflict (as they often enter homes and are mistaken for pests)

  • Adults with well-established territories may live a full natural lifespan

Lifespan in Captivity:

  • With proper enclosure conditions (heat, humidity, vertical space), Tokay Geckos may live 15 to 20 years

  • Captive care must include minimal handling, as these geckos are known for their strong bite and stress sensitivity

Maturity and Reproductive Span:

  • Sexual maturity is reached at 12 to 18 months

  • Males can breed throughout their adult life, though fertility may decline slightly after age 10

  • Females may lay fertile eggs for 8 to 10 years, especially with consistent nutrition and hydration

Threats to Longevity:

  • Predators such as snakes, large birds, and mammals

  • Urban threats, including traps, human retaliation, and toxic pesticides

  • Stress or mishandling in captivity, which can lead to injury or illness

  • Inadequate humidity or temperature, which may cause respiratory infections or shedding issues

Despite their fierce temperament, Tokay Geckos are resilient, territorial survivors. With protection from human threats and proper habitat conditions, they are among the longest-lived gecko species on Earth.

Eating Habits

The Tokay Gecko is a voracious nocturnal predator, with a powerful bite and lightning-fast reflexes. Its diet consists almost entirely of live prey, and it plays an important role in controlling insect populations in both forests and human dwellings.

Diet in the Wild:

  • Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a wide variety of invertebrates:

    • Moths

    • Crickets

    • Grasshoppers

    • Beetles

    • Cockroaches

  • Larger individuals may also consume:

    • Small lizards

    • Frogs

    • Nestling birds

    • Occasionally small mammals like baby rodents

Hunting Strategy:

  • Sit-and-wait ambush predator or active stalker, depending on prey type

  • Uses its large eyes and night vision to detect movement

  • When prey is within range, it lunges with a powerful snap of its jaws, often holding and shaking larger prey

Feeding Behavior:

  • Forages at night, especially around lights where insects gather

  • May leap or climb vertically to catch flying prey

  • Known to patrol the same hunting routes regularly

  • Has a strong bite capable of crushing exoskeletons and gripping struggling prey

Captive Diet:

  • Thrives on a varied diet of live feeder insects, including:

    • Crickets

    • Dubia roaches

    • Mealworms (in moderation)

    • Superworms and silkworms

    • Occasional pinkie mice (for large adults only, and not regularly)

  • Insects should be gut-loaded and dusted with calcium and multivitamins, especially for growing juveniles or breeding females

Hydration and Feeding Conditions:

  • Drinks water droplets from misted surfaces

  • Requires high humidity (60–80%) to support appetite and digestive health

  • May refuse food if stressed or if enclosure lacks proper hiding and thermal gradients

The Tokay Gecko’s aggressive feeding style, powerful jaws, and ability to take down larger prey make it one of the top nocturnal insect predators in tropical Asia—capable of thriving in trees, caves, and even city walls.

Uniqueness

The Tokay Gecko stands out as one of the most aggressive, vocal, and visually striking geckos in the world. Revered and feared in equal measure, it is a symbol of tropical wildlife across Asia—known for its thunderous call, fearless attitude, and formidable jaws.

Explosive Vocalizations:
Unlike most geckos, the Tokay is exceptionally loud, producing a distinctive “To-kay! To-kay!” call, especially at night during mating season. These calls are used to defend territory, attract mates, and warn intruders. No other gecko matches its volume.

Powerful Bite and Fearless Temperament:
Tokays are famously aggressive when threatened, delivering strong, locking bites that can last for several minutes. Their powerful jaws and tenacity are unmatched among geckos of similar size.

Striking Coloration and Size:
With a base color of blue-gray and bright orange or red spots, Tokays are among the most visually beautiful geckos. Males can grow over 13 in (33 cm), making them one of the largest gecko species on Earth.

Adaptability to Human Environments:
Despite being a forest-dwelling species, Tokay Geckos thrive in urban and rural areas, often living inside homes, temples, and attics. They are valued in many Southeast Asian cultures for eating pests and believed by some to bring good luck or healing powers.

Eggs That Stick for Life:
Unlike most geckos that lay soft, hidden eggs, Tokays produce hard-shelled eggs that are cemented in place—often on ceilings, tree trunks, or under roof tiles. These eggs are extremely durable and cannot be moved without breaking.

Cultural Icon & Traditional Medicine:
In parts of Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and China, Tokay Geckos are featured in folk medicine, folklore, and trade markets, believed (often falsely) to have curative properties. This has led to illegal collection pressures, despite their wide range.

Wall-Crawling Mastery:
With highly developed toe pads, Tokays can climb vertical glass, hang upside down, and leap across large gaps in tree canopies or walls. Their lamellae allow them to cling to nearly any surface—even ceilings.

The Tokay Gecko’s combination of size, aggression, volume, and color makes it a true outlier among geckos—an apex ambush predator in miniature, and a charismatic (if temperamental) ambassador of the tropical night.

FAQ’s

1. What is the closest species to the Tokay Gecko?

The Tokay Gecko belongs to the genus Gekko, which includes other large, climbing, and vocal Asian geckos. Its closest relatives include:

  • Gekko smithii (Smith’s Giant Gecko): Larger but less colorful, native to Southeast Asia, also arboreal and insectivorous

  • Gekko ulikovskii and Gekko vittatus: Medium-sized relatives with similar morphology but less vocal and less aggressive

  • Gekko grossmanni: Similar in behavior but found in more restricted areas of Vietnam

These relatives share:

  • Adhesive toe pads for climbing

  • Nocturnal hunting behavior

  • Loud vocalizations (though none match the volume of the Tokay)

  • Eggs affixed to surfaces rather than buried

2. How does the Tokay Gecko compare to other geckos?

Compared to Leopard Geckos (Eublepharis macularius):

  • Leopard geckos are terrestrial, have eyelids, and are much more docile

  • Tokay geckos are arboreal, lidless, louder, and far more defensive

Compared to Crested Geckos (Correlophus ciliatus):

  • Crested geckos are soft-bodied and gentle, often held by humans

  • Tokays are muscular, defensive, and rarely tolerate handling

Compared to Leaf-Tailed Geckos (Uroplatus):

  • Both are expert climbers, but Uroplatus geckos rely on camouflage and stillness

  • Tokays are loud, colorful, and confrontational—a complete behavioral contrast

3. What national parks provide the best chances to see Tokay Geckos?

Tokay Geckos are widely distributed in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and parts of northeastern India and southern China. They are often found in both natural forests and human structures.

Top National Parks and Locations for Sightings:

Khao Yai National Park (Thailand):
  • Large population in tree cavities and lodge structures; their calls echo through the forests at night

Taman Negara National Park (Malaysia):
  • Found on trees and huts, especially near light sources where insects gather

Gunung Leuser National Park (Indonesia – Sumatra):
  • Common near park buildings and forest edges; loud calls help locate them after dark

Bako National Park (Borneo – Malaysia):
  • Seen around cabins, walkways, and forested limestone formations

Rajaji and Namdapha National Parks (India):
  • Northeastern regions with humid forests where Tokays occupy trees and rocky shelters


Best Time to Spot Them:

  • Dusk to midnight, when they become active and start calling

  • Look near lights, tree trunks, eaves of buildings, or cliff walls

  • Listen for their “To-kay!” call, which helps locate individuals hidden in the canopy