Tokay gecko

The tokay gecko (*Gekko gecko*) is a large, nocturnal lizard. It belongs to the genus *Gekko*, which contains the true geckos. These animals are arboreal, meaning they live primarily in trees. They are native to various parts of Asia and some Pacific Islands. This species is quite important to study because of its unique biology and its relationship with humans. They are known for being quite large and having very strong personalities.

To move through their environment, tokay geckos use specialized physical features. They possess foot pads that allow them to support their entire body weight on vertical surfaces. This ability helps them climb trees and cliffs for long periods. Their body is somewhat flattened and cylindrical in shape. They also have a semiprehensile tail, which means it can help them grip objects. Their eyes feature vertical pupils, which are helpful for seeing at night. The gecko can even change its skin color to blend into its surroundings.

There are two recognized subspecies of the tokay gecko. The first is *G. g. gecko*, which was described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. This subspecies lives in tropical Asia, ranging from northeastern India to eastern Indonesia. The second subspecies is *G. g. azhari*, described by Mertens in 1955. This specific subspecies is found only in Bangladesh. These different groups help scientists understand how the species has spread across different regions over time.

Scientists and people have interacted with these geckos for centuries. The name "tokay" is an onomatopoeia, which is a word that mimics a sound. It represents the loud, croaking mating call made by the males. In Javanese, the word is "ge'kok," which is where the names for the family Gekkonidae come from. During the Vietnam War, U.S. soldiers gave them a different, colorful nickname. The frequency of their calls often changes based on the ambient temperature. This suggests that calling might help them regulate their energetic metabolism.

In terms of size, the tokay gecko is a massive member of its group. It is believed to be the third-largest species of gecko in the world. It follows the giant leaf-tail gecko and the New Caledonian giant gecko. An adult can reach a total length that is as long as a ruler. They are also sexually dimorphic, meaning males and females look different. Males are generally larger and have more brightly colored skin than females.

These lizards have very specific diets and social behaviors. They primarily eat insects and small vertebrates. In the wild, they hunt things like cockroaches, caterpillars, spiders, and beetles. In captivity, they might eat mealworms, crickets, or even pink mice. Their social lives can be quite interesting as well. In Cambodia, researchers observed communal nesting. This involved up to four adults guarding a single clutch of about eleven eggs. They can even tell their own offspring from other geckos by using their sense of smell.

However, the tokay gecko faces many modern challenges. They are culturally significant in East Asia, where they are symbols of fertility and good luck. Unfortunately, they are also poached for the medicinal trade. In some places, they are used in traditional Chinese medicine, known as *Ge Jie*. This trade has led to them becoming a threatened species in the Philippines. In that country, illegal hunting can result in heavy fines or even 12 years in jail. The species is protected under Appendix II of the CITES treaty to help manage international trade.