Animal profile

Tokay Gecko

Gekko gecko

ReptiliaRainforest, rock faces and human buildingsLeast Concern

Field profile

The tokay gecko is a large, blue-grey gecko flecked with orange, reaching around 30 centimetres. It is nocturnal, strongly territorial and known for a loud repeated call that gives it its name. It has powerful jaws and readily bites when handled.

Published field notes

2024-02-19

Tokay Gecko

The tokay gecko is named after its own call

Males repeat a loud two-part bark, usually rendered as to-kay, several times in succession from a perch. The name is onomatopoeic across languages in its range, and the call functions in territorial advertisement rather than as an alarm.

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