The tokay gecko (Gekko gecko) is a nocturnal arboreal gecko in the genus Gekko, the true geckos. It is native to Asia and some Pacific Islands. Etymology The word tokay comes from hearing the sound made by males of this species. The common and scientific names, as well as the family name Gekkonidae and the generic term gecko come from this species too, from ge'kok in Javanese from tokek in Malay. Subspecies Two subspecies are currently recognized. G. g. gecko (Linnaeus, 1758): tropical Asia from northeastern India to eastern Indonesia. G. g. azhari (Mertens, 1955): found only in Bangladesh. Distribution and habitat This species is found in northeast India, Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh; throughout Southeast Asia, including Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia; and toward western New Guinea. Its native habitat is rainforest, where it lives on trees and cliffs, and it frequently adapts to rural human habitations, roaming walls and ceilings at night in search of insect prey. This is an introduced species in some areas outside its native range. It is established in Florida in the United States, Martinique, the islands of Belize, and possibly Hawaii. Increasing urbanization is reducing its range. It is currently unclear whether the species is native but very uncommon in Taiwan or whether the rare reports of individuals since the 1920s are based on repeated anthropogenic translocations that may or may not have resulted in established populations by now. Physical characteristics The tokay gecko is a large nocturnal gecko, reaching a total length (including tail) of on average, but some grow as large as long. It is believed to be the third largest species of gecko, after the giant leaf-tail gecko (Uroplatus giganteus) and New Caledonian giant gecko (Rhacodactylus leachianus). It is cylindrical but somewhat flattened in body shape. The eyes have vertical pupils. The skin is soft to the touch and is generally blue-gray with red or orange spots and speckles, but the animal can change the color of its skin to blend into the environment. The species is sexually dimorphic, the males being more brightly colored and slightly larger. It is a strong climber with foot pads that can support the entire weight of the body on a vertical surface for a long period of time. Compared to other gecko species, the tokay gecko has a robust build, with a tail, a large head and muscular jaws. Behaviour Tokay geckos are