Key Takeaway:
- Tokay geckos are insectivorous and should be given a diet that consists primarily of insects such as crickets, roaches, and mealworms.
- They can also eat fruits and vegetables as supplements.
- Gut-loading insects with nutrient-rich food before feeding them to Tokay geckos is essential to provide them with a balanced diet.
- It’s important to avoid feeding Tokay geckos toxic or high-fat foods such as avocados and processed foods.
- These can lead to health problems such as obesity and digestive issues.
- The feeding frequency of Tokay geckos depends on their age. Hatchlings and juveniles require more frequent feeding than adult Tokay geckos.
- Feeding schedules can be adjusted based on the gecko’s behavior and appetite.
If you are a proud owner of a Tokay gecko or considering getting one as a pet, it is essential to understand their dietary needs to ensure they are healthy and happy.
Tokay geckos are unique creatures and require specific food items to maintain their well-being.
This guide will provide you with information about the foods that Tokay geckos can eat, feeding schedules, and tips for providing a balanced diet.
The guide covers everything from insects to fruits, vegetables, and even small mice. It also addresses some common questions about the Tokay gecko diet, such as how often they should be fed and what foods to avoid.
Tokay Gecko Diet In Captivity
In captivity, Tokay geckos need a balanced diet that mimics their natural diet. Their diet should consist of insects, fruits, and vegetables.
It is recommended to offer a variety of food items to ensure that they receive all the necessary nutrients. Insects should be the primary component of their diet.
Fruits and vegetables should be offered as a supplement and not as the main source of food.
Tokay geckos are nocturnal, and they usually feed during the night. Therefore, food should be offered at night to ensure they eat enough.
What Do Tokay Geckos Eat in the Wild?
In the wild, Tokay geckos are opportunistic carnivores. Their diet consists mainly of insects, but they eat other small animals like small mice and mammals.
Tokay geckos are also known to eat smaller geckos. Tokay geckos are nocturnal, and they hunt during the night.
They use their strong jaws and teeth to capture and crush their prey. Tokay geckos are also known to eat fruits and nectar, which they obtain by licking the surface of fruits or flowers.
However, the amount of fruit in their diet is relatively small compared to insects.
Tokay Gecko Diet Basics
The Tokay gecko’s diet should consist mainly of insects, including crickets, mealworms, waxworms, roaches, and super worms.
To ensure adequate nutrition, it is recommended to gut-load the insects with high-quality food 24-48 hours before feeding them to the gecko.
Fruits and vegetables should be offered as a supplement but should not be the primary source of food.
Overfeeding fruits and vegetables can lead to obesity and other health issues in Tokay geckos.
Tokay Gecko Feeding Schedule
The feeding schedule for Tokay geckos varies depending on their age and size.
Hatchlings should be fed daily, juveniles every other day, and adult Tokay geckos should be fed every two to three days.
The amount of food should be based on the size and weight of the gecko.
Adult geckos can be fed larger prey items, while smaller insects are recommended for juveniles and hatchlings.
Food should be offered at night when the geckos are most active, and any uneaten food should be removed within 24 hours to avoid contamination and spoilage.
Gut Loading
Gut loading refers to feeding insects a nutritious diet before feeding them to Tokay geckos. This ensures that the geckos receive adequate nutrition from their food.
The insects should be gut loaded 24-48 hours before feeding them to the geckos.
The gut-loading diet should be high in calcium and vitamin D3, essential for the gecko’s health.
Commercial gut-loading diets are also helpful and available, but fresh vegetables and fruits can also be used.
Calcium and vitamin supplements should be provided to the insects before feeding them to the geckos.
Do Tokay Geckos Need To Eat Every Day?
Tokay geckos are known for their robust and hardy nature. As with any pet, it is important to understand their dietary needs and requirements.
One common question among Tokay gecko owners is whether they must eat daily. The answer to this question depends on the age and size of the gecko.
Hatchling
Hatchling Tokay geckos, which are newborn to two months old, require daily feedings.
They are growing rapidly and need a lot of energy to fuel this growth. Feeding them daily is essential to ensure they receive the proper nutrients to develop properly.
Offer them a variety of appropriately sized insects such as small crickets, mealworms, and waxworms.
Juvenile
Juvenile Tokay geckos, between two to six months old, can be fed every alternate day.
This is when the gecko’s growth rate slows down, but it still needs a nutrient-rich diet to support its growth and development.
Adult
Adult Tokay geckos over six months old can be fed every two to three days. At this stage, they have fully developed and require less food than hatchlings or juveniles.
Ensure that the diet includes a variety of food sources to provide a balanced and nutritious diet.
Here is a table summarizing the feeding frequency for Tokay geckos of different ages:
| Age | Feeding Frequency |
| Hatchling (0-2 months) | Daily |
| Juvenile (2-6 months) | Every other day |
| Adult (over 6 months) | Every 2-3 days |
It’s important to note that every gecko is different, and feeding frequency may vary based on the individual’s health and activity level.
Therefore, monitoring their body condition and adjusting the feeding schedule is recommended.
Do Tokay Geckos Need Water?
Tokay geckos always need access to clean water. A shallow dish of water should be provided in their enclosure and cleaned and refilled daily.
The water dish should be large enough for the gecko to soak in if they choose to do so. It is essential to provide a separate dish of water for misting to maintain the appropriate humidity level in the enclosure.
Tokay geckos can also absorb water through their skin, which means that regular misting can help them stay hydrated. However, misting should not replace the need for a water dish in their enclosure.
How Long Can a Tokay Gecko Go Without Eating?
Tokay geckos can go without food for extended periods, but it is not recommended to leave them without food for more than a week. It is essential to provide a balanced diet and ensure they are regularly eating.
A lack of appetite can be a sign of an underlying health issue or stress. If a Tokay gecko stops eating, it is crucial to monitor their weight and behavior and seek veterinary care.
What Is a Tokay Gecko’s Favorite Food?
Tokay geckos are known for their love of insects, and they will readily consume a variety of insect species. Some of their favorite insects include crickets, mealworms, waxworms, and super worms.
Insects should be appropriately sized for the gecko to prevent choking. It is essential to provide a variety of insect species to ensure a balanced diet.
In addition to insects, Tokay geckos may also enjoy fruits and vegetables, including bananas, papayas, and carrots.
However, these should be provided in moderation and should not make up the majority of their diet.
What Insects Can Tokay Geckos Eat?
Tokay geckos eat a variety of insects in the wild. In captivity, they should be offered a wide range of insects that includes crickets, mealworms, super worms, waxworms, silkworms, and roaches.
It is crucial to gut-load insects with nutritious food to ensure that the gecko receives adequate nutrition.
How To Feed Tokay Geckos Insects?
To feed Tokay geckos insects, it is recommended to dust the insects with calcium and vitamin supplements before feeding.
These supplements ensure the gecko receives the nutrients necessary to maintain a healthy diet.
Insects should be offered in a shallow dish so they do not escape, and it is essential to remove any uneaten insects within a few hours to prevent spoilage.
Live insects are more stimulating for Tokay geckos, but pre-killed insects can also be used.
What Fruits Can Tokay Geckos Eat?
While Tokay geckos are primarily insectivores, they can also eat small amounts of fruit in captivity.
Some fruits that can be fed to Tokay geckos include mango, papaya, and bananas. It is crucial to feed fruit in moderation as it is not a significant part of their natural diet.
How To Feed Tokay Geckos Fruits?
To feed Tokay geckos fruits, it is recommended to cut the fruit into small pieces that are easy for them to eat. Fruits should be offered as an occasional treat, not as a primary food source.
When introducing fruits to a Tokay gecko’s diet, monitoring their digestive system’s response is essential to ensure that they do not develop any gastrointestinal issues.
It is also important to wash fruits thoroughly to remove pesticides or other harmful chemicals.
What Vegetables Can Tokay Geckos Eat?
Tokay geckos can also eat small amounts of vegetables in captivity as part of a balanced diet. Some of the vegetables that can be offered to Tokay geckos include carrots, cauliflower, and parsley.
Vegetables should be offered in small, bite-sized pieces to prevent choking. However, it is important to remember that vegetables should not make up a significant portion of a Tokay gecko’s diet.
How To Feed Tokay Geckos Vegetables?
To feed Tokay geckos vegetables, it is recommended to cut them into small pieces that are easy for the gecko to consume.
Vegetables should only be offered in small amounts as a supplement to their regular diet of insects. It is important to ensure that the vegetables are clean and free from any pesticides or harmful chemicals.
Additionally, any uneaten vegetables should be removed from the enclosure to prevent spoilage.
Can tokay geckos be fed pangea, repashy or Zoomed?
In addition to insects and fruits, Tokay geckos can be fed Pangea, a fruit blend that provides a complete diet for many geckos.
The Pangea fruit mix is a comprehensive gecko diet that is simple to prepare and has all of the elements that geckos require.
Pangea diets, which are created to fulfill the dietary demands of several gecko species, including Tokay geckos, are a popular choice among many gecko owners and breeders.
Additionally, Tokay geckos can also be given Repashy, which is a nutritionally complete diet that Tokay geckos can consume.
Repashy is a powdered food substitute that, when mixed with water, forms a gel-like substance that geckos can swallow.
Last but not the least, Tokay geckos can also be fed small Pinky mice. Feeding pink to Tokay geckos should be done with caution and moderation, as it can lead to obesity and other health problems.
It is crucial to remember, however, that all of the above-mentioned alternatives are not primary food sources of food for Tokay geckos.
What Should I Not Feed My Tokay Gecko?
When it comes to feeding Tokay geckos, there are certain foods that should be avoided as they can be harmful to their health.
Insects and fruits are two types of food that may seem like good options but can cause issues.
Insects
There are some insects that should be avoided when feeding Tokay geckos. Fireflies, for example, contain a toxic chemical called lucibufagins that can be deadly to geckos.
Additionally, wild-caught insects may have been exposed to pesticides or other chemicals that can be harmful to geckos. It’s best to stick with commercially bred insects to ensure their safety.
Fruits
While fruits may seem like a healthy option, certain fruits can cause issues for Tokay geckos.
Citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons are highly acidic and can cause digestive issues, while fruits with high water content, such as watermelon, can cause diarrhea.
Do Tokay Geckos Eat Lizards?
Yes, Tokay geckos eat small lizards. Although Tokay geckos are primarily insectivorous, they have been known to eat other small animals in the wild, including other lizards.
However, it is not recommended to feed Tokay geckos other lizards or animals in captivity, as this can pose a risk of injury or disease transmission.
Sticking to a diet of insects and occasional fruits, vegetables, and other approved food items is best.
Summary
In the wild, tokay geckos are opportunistic feeders and will consume a variety of insects, fruits, and even small vertebrates. As a pet owner, it’s important to replicate this diverse diet in captivity.
Insects should make up the bulk of your tokay gecko’s diet, with crickets, mealworms, and roaches being popular choices.
It’s also essential to gut-load and dust these insects with calcium and vitamin supplements to ensure your gecko is getting all the necessary nutrients.
While fruits can be offered as a treat, they should not be a staple in their diet. Safe fruits for tokay geckos include mango, papaya, and bananas.
Vegetables such as cauliflower, carrot, and parsley can also be offered in small quantities.
It’s essential to know what not to feed your tokay gecko. Insects such as fireflies and lightning bugs are toxic, and citrus fruits should be avoided due to their high acidity.
Additionally, it’s important to avoid feeding your gecko anything that is too big for them to swallow, as it can lead to impaction.
By providing a varied diet that meets all of their nutritional needs, you can ensure your tokay gecko remains healthy and happy in captivity.
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