Geckos · Care guide
Gekko gecko
Arboreal nocturnal lizards from Asia and the Pacific Islands — territorial and vocal at night (their bark sounds like “Tokay”). Tall glass terrarium with mesh-lid heat and Shadedweller UV, humidity 60–80%, cork and branches, and an insect-led diet.
At a glance
Key parameters for day-to-day husbandry. Full detail is in the sections below.
Cool-end probe
78 °F
26 °C · halfway down
Night target
~68 °F
~20 °C · ~10 °F drop
Humidity
60–80%
Spray 2×/day · evening priority
UVB
Shadedweller
On top of mesh lid
01 · Housing
Arboreal nocturnal geckos from Asia and the Pacific Islands. Humidity 60–80% suits a tall glass terrarium with mesh-lid heat and UV, cork bark, multi-height branches, foliage for cover, and a cool-end water bowl.
Adult minimum size
24″ W × 18″ D × 36″ H
Tall glass terrarium for an arboreal lifestyle. Heat dome and Shadedweller UV sit on the mesh lid.
Housing diagram
Enclosure example
Front view 24″ wide × 36″ tall (depth 18″) · glass terrarium · mesh lid · cork · branches · foliage · cool water bowl · coir + orchid bark
Setup diagram · 1 of 2
Top-down view
Heat dome in a back corner · probe on the opposite cool end · recommended temps need this layout
Setup diagram · 2 of 2
Front view
Looking into the terrarium · dome on the mesh lid · probe about halfway down the cool end
02 · Climate
Cool-end probe control at 78 °F, Shadedweller UVB on the mesh lid, and humidity around 60–80% with twice-daily misting and an evening priority spray.
When the heat bulb and thermostat sensor are placed as instructed, a probe target of 78 °F (26 °C) cool end · halfway down creates this spread. The probe point is not the basking spot.
| Zone | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Cool end (probe) (thermostat probe target) | 78 °F (26 °C) |
| Night drop | Reduce thermostat by ~68 °F (~20 °C) · ~10 °F drop |
Climate diagram
Lighting setup
Glass terrarium mesh lid — Shadedweller UV sits on top of the lid · heat dome on the warm end · match UV to heat
Target about 60–80% RH with twice-daily misting and a heavier evening spray.
60–80% RH · spray 2×
Morning mist plus room to dry a little during the day
Heavier mist
Main spray of the day (fogger or rain system optional) for the night spike
Not always wet
Constant wet conditions raise bacteria risk — allow drier periods and airflow
Always have the dimming thermostat dial turned down before you plug it into the mains for the first time. Set the cool-end probe to 78 °F (26 °C) for daytime once dome and sensor are in place.
03 · Nutrition
Insect-led diet, method of 5, dusting every feed, and well gut-loaded insects. Food size no larger than the distance between the eyes.
At a glance
Fed regularly
In moderation only
Dust every feeding with a 4:1 mix of calcium : Nutrobal (4 parts calcium to 1 part Nutrobal). Mix before dusting, then coat the food on every feed.
New arrivals often will not eat well for the first few days. This is normal. Once settled, appetite usually increases — exact cricket/locust counts vary.
Offer 5 insects at a time
Wait until you see them consumed before adding more
Reduces uneaten insects, stress, and possible insect-related injuries
Gut-load insects before offering — variety matters for calcium-to-phosphorus (Ca:P) and vitamins.
Feeder insects must be well fed before offering. In the wild, lizards and amphibians scavenge a wide variety of prey that themselves ate varied foods — supplying complete nutrition and a better calcium-to-phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio.
Speak to a member of staff for more feeding advice.
04 · Behaviour
Patience first. Tokays are relatively territorial and vocal at night — settling and regular feeding come before handling.
Allow the gecko to settle in the new enclosure and begin eating regularly before handling. Adapting is stressful; early handling can make it worse.
Initial sessions: 5–10 minutes only. Lengthen as the gecko becomes more comfortable.
Always wash or disinfect hands before and after handling to prevent bacteria transfer both ways.
Do not use aerosols or plug-in air fresheners near the enclosure — the chemicals can harm your gecko.
05 · Welfare
Prevention starts with correct husbandry — heat, UVB, hydration, and supplementation working together.
Correct temperatures, supplementation, hydration, and UVB keep the immune system and gut working well — supporting essential physiological processes.
Pros
Cons
Questions
Adult minimum is 24″ wide × 36″ high × 18″ deep glass terrarium. Provide cork bark, stable multi-height branches, and foliage for cover. Use humidity-retentive coir mixed with coarse orchid bark (bio setups work well). Heat dome and Shadedweller UV sit on the mesh lid. Cool-end probe about halfway down the tank opposite the heat. Place a water bowl on the cool side.
Place the heat dome on the mesh lid in a back corner (this guide uses left-back). Feed the dimming thermostat sensor through the opposite lid nodule so it rests about halfway down at the cool-end back corner. Daytime cool-end probe target is 78 °F (26 °C); at night drop about 10 °F to around 68 °F (20 °C). That creates a gradient from the cool end to the basking spot under the dome. Recommended temps only apply with this placement.
Aim for about 60–80% relative humidity. Spray the enclosure twice daily — the evening spray is most important because night humidity spikes high in the wild. Slightly drier periods during the day are normal; do not keep the enclosure constantly wet (bacteria risk). A fogger or rain system can help. Use a Shadedweller UV system for nocturnal and crepuscular reptiles (terrestrial or arboreal forms) on top of the mesh lid. Photoperiod about 12 hours in winter and up to 16 hours in summer.
Allow the gecko to settle and begin eating regularly before handling — at least two successful feeds first. Early sessions 5–10 minutes only; lengthen as they become more comfortable. Tokays are relatively territorial and vocal at night. Always wash or disinfect hands before and after. No aerosols or plug-in air fresheners near the enclosure.
Insect-led diet with the method of 5 (five insects at a time until eaten). Once settled, 5–10 crickets daily is common. Staples: crickets, locusts, and calci worms; waxworms and morios in moderation. Dust every feed with a 4:1 calcium : Nutrobal mix. Food size no larger than the distance between the eyes.
Next steps
Shop heating, housing and lighting on this site, browse livestock when available, or speak to our team for a tailored kit list.
More in Geckos
