Tokay Gecko
Tokay Gecko is an Asian species that is widespread in the Indo-Malayan region and throughout Southeast Asia. The countries of Tokay Gecko’s natural distribution include Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China (south), India (northeast), Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.
The species is common throughout most of its range. Global population trend is unknown. Tokay Gecko is widely marketed as a pet, for pest control and, the most largely, for use in the traditional medicine.
The Tokay Gecko has been reported in numerous locations worldwide to occur as an invasive species. Species introduction is known to occur through the poultry trade and transportation on cargo ships. Sporadic introduction of traded pets is also possible.
Tokay Gecko is known to be present as an introduced species:
■ in Asia – Hong Kong and Singapore;
■ in Africa – Madagascar;
■ in North America – Belize, Guadeloupe, Martinique and United States (Florida and Hawaii);
■ and possibly also in South America, where a specimen has been recently collected in Porto de Itajai in Brazil (but there yet is no evidence of an established population).
The status in Taiwan is uncertain, the specimens recorded there are possibly also of introduction origin.
Conservation
■ Listed in Appendix II of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES, or Washington Convention).
Taxonomy
■ Phylum Chordata – chordates
■ Class Reptilia – reptiles
■ Order Squamata – scaled reptiles
■ Family Gekkonidae – common geckos
■ Species Gekko gecko – Tokay Gecko
Our supporters and partners
