RecoveryGeckos
Tokay gecko care guide
Gekko gecko
Large, nocturnal, and defensive. Plenty of vertical cover reduces the stress that drives their reputation for biting.
Arboreal — vertical height first
Tokay gecko enclosure size
Arboreal — vertical height first. An adult tokay gecko should live in at least 24" L × 18" W × 36" H; we build toward 36" L × 24" W × 48" H (3 × 2 × 4 ft, roughly 6 sq ft of floor and about a 180-gallon glass equivalent).
- Hatchling / baby
- 18" L × 18" W × 24" H recommended · min 12" L × 12" W × 18" H
- Juvenile
- 18" L × 18" W × 36" H recommended · min 18" L × 18" W × 24" H
- Adult
- 36" L × 24" W × 48" H recommended · min 24" L × 18" W × 36" H
Temperature and heating
Overhead halogen near the top, thermostat-controlled.
- Basking / warm surface
- 88–92°F surface
- Warm side (ambient)
- 80–85°F ambient
- Cool side (ambient)
- 72–78°F ambient
- Night
- 70–75°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: T5 UVB 5–6% (UVI 1–2). Run lights on a 12 hours photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target 60–80%. Mist twice daily; ensure ventilation so it dries between cycles.
Substrate and depth
Coco fibre / soil mix with leaf litter. Depth: 2–3 in.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Vertical cork tubes to hide inside
- Dense foliage
- Water dish
- Multiple elevated retreats
Build list
- Tall front-opening terrarium — Vertical retreats are what settle this species.
- Halogen + low UVB — Warm perch at the top plus baseline UV.
- Digital thermostat — Every heat source must run through a thermostat — unregulated heat burns animals.
- Two digital probe thermometers + hygrometer — Read the warm side, cool side and humidity directly — stick-on dials are inaccurate.
- Coco fibre substrate — Holds the humidity range.
Tokay gecko FAQ
How big should an adult Tokay gecko enclosure be?
At least 24" L × 18" W × 36" H, and we recommend building to 36" L × 24" W × 48" H — about 3 × 2 × 4 ft, or a 180-gallon glass equivalent. Arboreal — vertical height first.
What temperatures does a Tokay gecko need?
Basking or warm surface 88–92°F surface, warm side 80–85°F ambient, cool side 72–78°F ambient, night 70–75°F. Overhead halogen near the top, thermostat-controlled.
Does a Tokay gecko need UVB?
T5 UVB 5–6% (UVI 1–2). Photoperiod: 12 hours.
What humidity does a Tokay gecko need?
60–80%. Mist twice daily; ensure ventilation so it dries between cycles.
What substrate is best for a Tokay gecko?
Coco fibre / soil mix with leaf litter, at a depth of 2–3 in.
How big does a Tokay gecko enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 18" L × 18" W × 24" H recommended, minimum 12" L × 12" W × 18" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own tokay gecko record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.