Tokay geckos are solitary, nocturnal creatures that prey primarily on insects. They will also consume small mammals such as rats, mice and snakes.
These large and robust lizards feature lidless eyes, a rounded snout, and sticky toe pads. They tend to display aggressive behavior when threatened and may bite if provoked.
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Insects
Insects are a class of arthropods, or animals with segmented bodies and jointed legs covered in hard outer layers known as exoskeletons. Unlike crustaceans or arachnids, insects have six legs, two antennae, and a body divided into three parts: head, thorax, and abdomen.
In addition to their physical characteristics, insects also have distinctive life cycles that set them apart from other animals. Most insects begin as larvae that must undergo metamorphosis in order to reach adulthood.
Tokay geckos enjoy eating insects such as crickets, mealworms, waxworms and superworms. However, it’s best to gut load these pests before feeding them to your gecko.
Tokay geckos enjoy fruits and veggies, but should only be offered small amounts. This is because they have an active metabolism and can become overweight quickly if fed too much food. For best results, provide your tokay gecko with a balanced diet of insects, fruit and veggies; you could even offer them different prey items or mashes made with these same foods.
Fruits
Geckos are typically insectivores, though some species have been known to consume fruit. Tokay geckos in particular have been observed eating grapes, apples and apricots.
Tokay geckos are native to Southeast Asia and typically feed on insects in the wild. However, they will also eat various other things when kept in captivity – including crickets, mealworms and cockroaches.
They have also been known to consume small prey items, such as pinkie mice. Therefore, it is recommended that they be fed several different kinds of insects daily.
Geckos, like any animal, need a varied diet to stay healthy and content. When selecting feeder insects for your pet, take into account their nutrient content before giving them a gut-load of bugs to digest before giving it to your pet.
Tokay geckos are nocturnal – they sleep during the day and become highly active at night. While they do well with 12 hours of UVB fluorescent light a day, don’t leave their bulbs on continuously as this could stress them and lead to withdrawal symptoms.
Veggies
Geckos are primarily insectivores, though some species feed on small vertebrates as well. Furthermore, they have been known to consume fruit and vegetables.
Mealworms, flies and crickets are all beneficial insects to offer your Tokay gecko as they’re high in protein and can help keep it healthy and strong.
Insects can be an essential part of a Tokay gecko’s diet, but it is essential that you only purchase wild-caught insects from reliable sources. Doing this helps protect your Tokay from contracting any diseases transmitted by these predatory insect species.
Pangea’s Gecko Diet with Insects(tm) are specifically formulated to supply your Tokay gecko with all necessary vitamins and minerals for optimal growth, along with high amounts of calcium for strong bones and optimal egg production.
Supplements
Tokay geckos are voracious eaters and can be fed a variety of insect prey such as crickets, superworms, mealworms, waxworms and cockroaches. Juveniles may receive food every 24 hours while adults typically receive one meal a day or more.
When selecting feeder insects for your reptile, opt for varieties that promote good health and are nutrient-rich. They should be gut loaded – meaning they’ve been enhanced with essential vitamins that will nourish its body.
For example, gut-loaded crickets are packed with protein and other essential nutrients that can support your pet’s joints and bones. Plus, they contain calcium – necessary for their bone development as well as a healthy nervous system.
Supplementing your reptile’s nutritional intake with supplements such as powdered calcium and vitamin D3 is a great way to ensure they get all of their needs met. They can be added to crickets, mealworms, and cockroaches after being gut-loaded for added benefit; additionally, these supplements help prevent Metabolic Bone Disease – a condition which affects many reptiles’ bones – from taking hold.
