Tokay Gecko Habitat

In the wild, the orange spotted tokay gecko with lavender-gray skin makes the trees and cliffs of tropical rainforests home. Reptile enthusiasts often replicate the arboreal tokay gecko's native habitat in an aquarium complete with potted plants and carefully stacked slate ledges. To keep a pet tokay gecko content, allow him to live a solitary life in his captive habitat.

  1. Type

    • A glass aquarium with a locking wire-mesh lid keeps captive tokay geckos secure. Since the pet will grow to six to 14 inches in length, a minimum aquarium size of 25 gallons in height fits one juvenile pet, while a 55-gallon fully-furnished habitat can accommodate an adult.

    Accessories

    • Line the tokay gecko's habitat with mulch or a reptile-safe, pelleted bedding. Since tokay geckos have a tendency to eat their substrate, also consider newspaper or reptile carpet, according to national pet retailer Petco. Thick branches, basking rocks, faux logs, cork bark and heat-absorbing slate rocks provide climbing opportunities in the habitat. Nontoxic faux plants or live, potted tropical plants complete the interior of the captive tokay gecko's habitat.

    Effects

    • The nocturnal tokay gecko requires the varied habitat to replicate his native rainforest habitat. To complete the rainforest effect, sprinkle live grasshoppers, crickets, mealworms and pinkie mice throughout the habitat to stimulate the gecko's natural hunting instinct.

    Environment

    • Maintain a hot and humid environment for the tokay gecko. The warm end of the tank should routinely reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit, while the cool end should dip to around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ceramic heaters or incandescent bulbs will keep the environment warm, according to Petco. The tokay gecko does not require specific spectrum lighting to maintain her health. To view the gecko, expose the habitat to ultraviolet lighting for up to 12 hours per day.

      A shallow bowl of chlorine-free water and periodic daily misting of the habitat keep the tokay gecko's habitat humid. Aim for a level of 75 percent humidity or greater, according to PetSmart, a national pet retailer.

    Habitat Adaptations

    • The tokay gecko can change the tone of his skin to camouflage himself against his environment, according to the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. This makes the tokay gecko less visible to predators and more stealthy while hunting for prey. The reptile also has fine setae (bristles) on his toes, making him able to scale vertical surfaces quickly.