Details
Gekko gecko
The tokay gecko is a large gecko of Indomalayan forests and cities. Nocturnal and solitary, it is known for loud calls and adhesive climbing toes.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It uses tropical forest, rocky areas, houses, and urban buildings. Vertical surfaces, crevices, and insect-rich lights provide good hunting sites.
Length is about 25-35 cm and weight about 150-300 g. A blue-gray body with orange spots, large head, and adhesive toe pads are distinctive.
It is active at night and hides by day in wall gaps or under bark. Individuals are solitary, and males call loudly to advertise territories.
It is carnivorous, eating insects, spiders, and small lizards. It waits on walls or branches and bites quickly when prey approaches.
Females attach hard-shelled eggs to walls, bark, or crevices. Adults may remain near eggs, and hatchlings begin hunting soon after emergence.
Its status is listed as Least Concern. It adapts to towns, though collection for pet and medicinal trade can pressure some local populations.
