When caring for a tokay gecko, there is a lot of misinformation. One of the most common misconceptions is that tokay geckos need UV light to thrive. In this blog post, we’ll set the record straight and dispel this myth.
Tokay Geckos are natives of Southeast Asia and can be found in countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. In the wild, they live in tropical rainforests where they bask in the warm sun during the day and sleep in trees or cave crevices at night. So, do they need UV light in captivity?
The answer is a resounding no!
Tokay geckos are perfectly content living in a habitat without UV light. Too much exposure to UV light can be harmful to their health.
So, if you’re keeping a tokay gecko as a pet, keep them away from direct sunlight or artificial UV light sources.
Do Tokay Geckos need heat lamps?
In captivity, Tokay Geckos can be kept at room temperature, but it is essential to provide a basking spot around 85-90 degrees Fahrenheit.
This can be achieved with a heat lamp, ceramic heat emitter, or under-tank heater. A temperature drop at night is also essential, as it helps the gecko regulate its body temperature.
Without a heat source, the gecko may become lethargic and stop eating, leading to health problems.
For this reason, it is advisable to provide a heat source for Tokay Geckos in captivity.
What is the perfect environment for captive tokay geckos?
In the wild, tokay geckos inhabit tropical forests and live in trees, but they can thrive in a wide range of environments in captivity.
The key to creating a perfect home for your tokay gecko is to mimic their natural habitat as closely as possible.
This means providing them with a warm, humid environment and plenty of hiding places. Tokay geckos are arboreal animals, so their enclosure should be tall rather than wide.
They also need a basking spot to soak up the heat, so a heat lamp is essential.
If you provide your tokay gecko with the right environment, it will be healthy and happy for many years.
How to achieve the correct humidity for a tokay gecko
Tokay geckos require high humidity levels to stay healthy.
The ideal humidity level for a tokay gecko is between 75 and 80%. If the humidity level drops below 60%, the tokay gecko can become dehydrated and may stop eating.
Maintaining the correct humidity level is essential for the health of a tokay gecko. There are a few different ways to achieve this.
- One way is to mist the enclosure with water every day.
- Another way is to use a humidifier.
- Lastly, you can place a dish of water in the enclosure, ensuring that it is not close enough to the tokay gecko that it can fall in and drown.
These steps allow you to provide your tokay gecko with the appropriate humidity level.
Conclusion
We hope this blog post has cleared any misconceptions about tokay geckos and UV light. As we’ve seen, tokay geckos do not need UV light to thrive. Too much exposure to UV light can be harmful to their health. So, if you’re keeping a tokay gecko as a pet, keep them away from direct sunlight or artificial UV light sources.
