Tokay gecko

A tokay gecko in East Timor

The Tokay Gecko or Tokee ( Gekko gecko ) is a nocturnal gecko and reaches a length of up to 35 centimeters. The tokay gecko was already in 1758, at that time, first described as Lacerta gecko. He is thus the type species of the genus Gekko, whose representatives are also called True geckos. The name derives from the sound of the cries ( of the male animal): to- kee / i

Features

The Tokay Gecko is patterned from blue-gray to brown-gray color, with numerous red and blue spots. Juveniles have a dark blue, white banded tail. The scales are grainy. Series of larger humps are shed between the smaller scales. The head is broad and covered with small, polygonal scales. Males are distinguished by a more massive head and 10 to 24, arranged in an angular range Präanalporen of the females. In addition, the tail is thickened because of Hemipenistaschen therein.

Dissemination

The tokay gecko lives from northeast India via Bangladesh, southern China, Taiwan, Southeast Asia and the Malay Archipelago up to the Aru Islands in the west, and the Philippines to the north. In Florida, Hawaii and Martinique, he was introduced by man. The lizards were originally rainforest dwellers, living today but also synanthropic on or in the houses. In their homeland Tokehs regarded as good luck charms and therefore enjoy a certain protection.

Reproduction

Like almost all sets of geckos tokay per clutch always two hard-shelled eggs. However, lay eggs up to five times a year a female. The eggs stick to the surface and are also glued together. The female stays in his nest and defends it against predators. The young geckos hatch depending on the temperature after 100 to 180 days and are then within eight to ten inches long. They are until they lose their youth coloration, guarded by the female. Tokehs may be 25 years old.

Climbing artists

Tokehs belong to the fins geckos, each foot with a billion tiny hairs ( about 200 nanometers wide and long), so-called spatulae occupied. Due to van der Waals forces so that you can find on all surfaces maintenance and can even run upside down on discs.

Food

The tokay gecko feeds on large insects ( such as: crickets, grasshoppers, cockroaches, etc. ), but also of mice and small reptiles. It is generally said that the tokay gecko eats everything he can overwhelm. Drinking water he takes on usually through food or licking of water drops. In captivity, the water absorption provided vessels was observed.