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Tokay Gecko Gekko gecko

May 11th, 2012 by

I set out to do some birding in the fading light of the day on the outskirts of Agartala (Tripura). In the short time that was left of the day I enjoyed the company of Racket-tailed Drongos, Red-breasted Parakeets and a few other birds. The light faded quickly and everything around me was quiet.

This is when I heard a two syllable call that went “tok-kay” or “tuck-too” from a nearby tree. For a moment my mind scanned through all the bird calls that I was familiar with. I drew a blank. Then it occurred to me that this was indeed a gecko and named after the call it utters – the Tokay Gecko Gekko gecko (also known as the Tuctoo Gecko) and the largest gecko in India!

Later in the evening the call of this nocturnal gecko was heard several times. So, I went around the old buildings searching and finally managed to see the monster of a gecko. I had not seen such a large, and at the same time beautiful, gecko. I was really lucky. The adult that I spotted was also accompanied by four young ones ! They were all very shy and photographing them was not easy.

Though the Tokay Gecko is known to grow to about 14 inches, the adult that I saw was about 8 inches long. It was pale bluish grey with orange spots.

Tokay Gecko

Tokay Gecko Gekko gecko (adult)

The young ones were equally colourful with orange spots spread all over the body with bands of white spots interspersed in between. The banded tail was also characteristic.

Tokay Gecko

Tokay Gecko - young one

Naturally, the Tokay Gecko lives on trees and rocky cliffs. However, in many parts of NE India and parts of SE Asia, the Tokay Gecko is known to live in residences too.

The Tokay Gecko was incidentally described by Linnaeus way back in 1758. However, today, this gecko has sadly become prey to misconceptions. In several parts of SE Asia they are caught and used as a remedy for several ailments. This has led to this gecko being collected and traded illegally. Besides, it also can be part of pet trade.

Posted in Nature Notes | 16 Comments

  • http://backpakker.blogspot.com lakshmi

    what an attractive gecko..I would have probably cringed on sighting it, but here it looks rather colourful

  • http://www.natureclicks.in Saandip Nandagudi

    14″ Gecko is really a beautiful monster !!!. Loved the illustrated distinctive banded tail photograph very much.. :) Thanks for sharing SIRji !!!

  • http://deponti.livejournal/tag/wildlife Deepa Mohan

    Huh, I thought it was hot off the press and already two comments! I do love geckos as they eat up so many insects around the home…I have one fat fellow (or felli) in my home. This one seems so beautiful…could you not get the babies too?

    Do all geckos have the habit of shedding their tails when in danger? And what is the difference between geckos and agamas?

    I like the fact that each post of yours gives rise, in my mind, to several questions, which I later google for, and sometimes ask you about. Thank you for adding to my info, and prodding my curiosity, Karthik!

  • Rohit

    Hi Karthik, Lovely Images as always. Loved the write up on the gecko. I never knew that such a colorful gecko existed. Thanks for Sharing this information.

  • http://deponti.livejournal/tag/wildlife Deepa Mohan

    Before I could even begin the googling process to answer my questions, Karthik sent me this link:

    http://animal-world.com/encyclo/reptiles/information/lizardclassfamilies.php

    And having gone through it for a cursory look, I must say it is “cursory”….it’s making me curse that there is SO much to know about this reptile, and it will probably take me 284 years to learn it!

    But the link is very useful, to those who want to distinguish between, say, agamas and lizards and geckos….so do peruse!

  • http://Gmail.com Gaurav

    I had a dislike towards the geckos before. But after seeing their beautiful shapes, I have changed. Thanks!

  • http://sangeethakadur.blogspot.com Sangeetha

    Beautiful piece of info.. as always! :)

  • Uma

    What a beauty! Loved the young one, especially! I first heard about this a couple of days ago, in a documentary on David Attenborough called First Life, in which he describes a Tokay gecko grabbing his finger (which he had waved too close) and not letting go for a long time! Thanks for yet another brilliant post, Karthik!

  • N.C Krishna Murthy

    halli mariya nooDu eshTu Sundara
    maanavana kaN taNisalu idu prakrutiya hunnaara

  • http://www.dholesden.com Kathik Davey

    Hi, Karthik, I didnt love Geckos but this is a beauty!

  • http://www.wildwanderer.com Karthik

    This indeed is a beautiful gecko and a giant at that.
    Gaurav, Karthik Davey… glad this post and the pics have managed to change your minds. Also, happy to note that even geckos can have people sit up and take note !

    Krishnamurthy …nice to see that the Tokay Gecko has brought out the poet in you !

  • http://anushankarn.blogspot.com Anu

    This is indeed a beautiful gecko, and though I usually cringe at the sight of those that inhabit our house, I would rush to get the camera too at the sight of one of these!

  • http://radha-rangarajan.blogspot.com/ Radha

    This gecko is just beautiful! Thank you for sharing, Karthik..

  • jayshree

    thnx Karthik – the adult and the little one – what a mosaic of colour ! the pics and the info. painstakingly compiled – enlightens all.

  • Aparajita

    Nice to read of the Tokay Kartik,growing up in Agartala I often heard it’s call but got to see it While staying in Hostel in Mizoram.It used to wander into the hostel rooms chasing after insects ,we would often see it flattened against the backlit windows and many of us got pretty fond of its smiley face.However pandemonium generally ensued when it came into timider company and I was often called to remove it in a bucket.We discovered that when it feels threatened the Tokay will back up against the wall facing its opponents and opening its mouth very wide will say “Tokay” very loudly.It’s a pretty scary display from a fair sized reptile.Considering that it hunts by stalking it’s prey silently I think it’s loud calls are part of it’s aggression displays while fighting rivals or aggressors.

  • karthik

    Thanks for sharing your observations Aparajita.