Reptiles · Squamata · Gekkonidae

Tokay Gecko

Gekko gecko

Not Evaluated

It has not yet been assessed against the IUCN criteria. See full glossary

It is one of the largest geckos in the world, very common in towns across South East Asia thanks to its willingness to live alongside people.

Weight

150 g – 400 g

Size

18 cm – 51 cm

Lifespan

10 years

Diet

Carnivore

Feeds mainly on other animals.

Activity

Nocturnal

Active mainly at night.

Social structure

Solitary

Lives and hunts alone, joining others only to breed.

Sighting difficulty

Unknown

RainforestCarnivore Nocturnal Solitary Reptile Rainforest

19countries 53parks5same family

Fun facts

It eats large insects, along with small vertebrates such as nestling birds and young rodents.
It is known for its characteristic call, a loud 'to-kay' that gives it its common name.
It lives in tropical forest, in trees and in buildings across South East Asia.
anatomíaIts feet are covered in millions of microscopic bristles (setae) that let it cling to smooth surfaces through molecular forces, with no suckers and no glue.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (reptile)
Habitat & environment: Tropical forest, trees and buildings of South East Asia, very common in towns
Birth weight: Weight at hatching not found as a precise figure
Size at birth: The young fully formed and independent on hatching
Sexual maturity: ~1 year
Gestation / incubation: 60-182 days depending on the source (usual reference 100-120 days)
Litter / clutch size: 1 to 2 hard-shelled eggs per clutch, stuck to vertical surfaces, laid again each month
Lifespan in captivity: 10-20 years in captivity (documented record of up to 15+ years)

Sources consulted: SeaWorld/Busch Gardens; ResearchGate (skeletochronological age study); A-Z Animals; Animal Pedia; Animal Spot; Animalia.bio; AnAge (genomics.senescence.info); Sacramento Zoo