tokay gecko
- Thread starter sharkey
- Start date
Julirs
New Member
sharkey! Are you attracting non-native species! 
Is it big? Try putting a 2 foot deep garbage can or something of the sort out there with a bunch of crickets and see if he comes down and goes in the garbage can to get them-then you can capture him. Of course you will have to wait since they have sticky feet and can climb anything!
Is it big? Try putting a 2 foot deep garbage can or something of the sort out there with a bunch of crickets and see if he comes down and goes in the garbage can to get them-then you can capture him. Of course you will have to wait since they have sticky feet and can climb anything!
sandrachameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
I dont know what a hurrican shutter is like. Would very long tongs make it possible for you to grab it? Better a broken leg or lost tail than having to kill it. And as much as it pains me to say so, you are right to kill it rather than allow its release
Chamgirl
Avid Member
I dont know what a hurrican shutter is like. Would very long tongs make it possible for you to grab it? Better a broken leg or lost tail than having to kill it. And as much as it pains me to say so, you are right to kill it rather than allow its release[/QUOTE]
Shocking, has it not occured to anyone you can keep these as a pet. I for one think they are very beautiful geckos. Catch him/her and give it to a rescue centre or advertise as it can be someone's lost pet!
Julirs
New Member
Will a Tokay breed with other native species? If not, I say leave it be. If so I guess you can try Juli's "GarbageCan-O-Doom" idea to capture it.
-Jay
LOL-
I only thought of it when I went to one of my outside cages where I have one of those garbage cans to catch dripper water and an Anole was in it and couldn't get out. Geckos are better plastic climbers.
Sharky, I'm pretty sure they're established there if you're seeing one outside. I was in the keys about 12 or so years ago and they were all over the place where I stayed. The problem with them is they are big and eat anything that fits in their mouths. They also bite HARD. Don't let him get ahold of you.
Maybe the only way to catch him is wait until he comes out at night then throw a net on him. I caught a few like that in the keys when they were chasing bugs on the outside walls. I also had two as pets who would periodically escape. Again, nets or gloved hands both worked.
Maybe the only way to catch him is wait until he comes out at night then throw a net on him. I caught a few like that in the keys when they were chasing bugs on the outside walls. I also had two as pets who would periodically escape. Again, nets or gloved hands both worked.
sharkey
New Member
thanks for all of the replies. the neighbor is working w/me on this. since we last tried to catch it (came 'this close' of course but it got away) it has moved from it's favorite spot and we don't know where it hides. it was spotted at night thru a frosted glass so of course he couldn't grab it.. they run very fast. we'd thought of tongs, i have the gloves (would never grab it w/out) and will try the garbage can method next, at night, w/our professional sized butterfly net. just got a shipment of 1,000 crix so i think we are set....if we can find it!
tokays are from the area of india - they don't belong wild in fl, and out-compete our fl native lizards and birds. we have beautiful lizards here that are disappearing b/c of non-native wildlife and polution. so we are highly motivated to catch or if necessary, kill it.
tokays are from the area of india - they don't belong wild in fl, and out-compete our fl native lizards and birds. we have beautiful lizards here that are disappearing b/c of non-native wildlife and polution. so we are highly motivated to catch or if necessary, kill it.
Chamgirl
Avid Member
Veiled chameleons are not native to Florida but have established a population there. How would you feel if you read on a gecko forum that someone was attempting to catch and if necessary kill a Veiled they saw in their garden??
It is not up to you to decide what lizard has the right to live or die, why don't you just leave it alone. I'm sure you have bigger problems to worry about
AJA
Established Member
What would happen if you took a can of air to it or even just a spurt of fire extinguisher to 'cool' it off enough for it to slow down and for you to catch it?
I think it nice that you are taking the responsibility of trying to catch this guy regardless if there is already a population established. It's like people who litter and say "well, everyone else littered along here" . Still doesn't make it right.
I think it nice that you are taking the responsibility of trying to catch this guy regardless if there is already a population established. It's like people who litter and say "well, everyone else littered along here" . Still doesn't make it right.
Powers
New Member
I had a Tokay escape in my house once. Found him about a week later behind our pythons tank. Took me 20 minutes to catch it, those things are like Neo from the Matrix or something. I eventually distracted him with my left hand by waving it in its face, then while it was pissed off and gaping at me I put a shoebox over him and got the lid on it.
All I can say is good luck.
All I can say is good luck.
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laurie
Retired Moderator
Veiled chameleons are not native to Florida but have established a population there. How would you feel if you read on a gecko forum that someone was attempting to catch and if necessary kill a Veiled they saw in their garden??
It is not up to you to decide what lizard has the right to live or die, why don't you just leave it alone. I'm sure you have bigger problems to worry about
Chamgirl, I really need to disagree with you. Have you had any experience with Tokay? They are very very aggressive, and Sharky saying “I will catch it or kill” is being responsible. It is not a case of releasing something that won't be harmful to the native area, it will do damage. Another concern is that the Florida Keys is a big family vacation area, how would you feel if you were on vacation and your toddler put their hand down Tokay and lost a finger?? Yes I said LOST a finger. Tokay can do that type of damage. Sharky is doing the responsible thing given his situation. Leave him alone. Does he have bigger things to worry about? Yes I am sure he does, but I for one am thankful HE is a great pet owner and a responsible one.
Chamgirl
Avid Member
I am fully aware of how bad a Tokays bite can be. I said in an earlier post that they can be aggressive. I also said they are one of my favourite species of gecko, meaning I am fully aware what they are like. Tokays are active at night and unlikely to come into contact with a toddler. If we are going to kill off something because it bites then why don't we kill off anything potentially dangerous. Lets kill off all jellyfish, all bumble bees, all dangerous snakes etc. I am only joking of course because I don't believe in killing off any creature just minding its own business. We all share this earth. None of us have the right to decide what can live in our country and what can't.
How dare you imply I am not a great pet owner and not a responsible one. How do you know he is, because of this topic?? Unbelievable. Sorry but I have the right to speak out about something I feel passionately about. If more people respected animals like I do then the world would be a better place. Understood?
laurie
Retired Moderator
Chamgirl, let's address the issues. I said Sharky is being a responsible pet owner, and he is. There are lots of people who sadly, are not. Are you in the classification, I doubt it, but don't know anything except what I read. Based on that I would say you are responsible with your animals, for the most part. I don't and can't consider letting Tokay lose as responsible. I would not consider letting a panther lose as responsible either. If we decide to take animals out of their natural habitat them we are accepting the responsibility that goes with that choice. Can some or most survive? Well maybe but THAT DOES'T MAKE IT RIGHT!! I feel strongly, like you do, that we have a responsibility to pets. I am very passionately involved with animals; I just adopted a quad from ChamEO and am maybe taking another one. I have taken in a number on pets others don't "want" any more. Usually they are not in the best shape at that point. I also have to speak out about what I believe and in this situation I believe Sharky is right and you are wrong. Sorry if that offends you but I also have the right to my strong opinions and want to support Sharky for doing the right, responsible thing. Am I out telling people to randomly kill animals, H**l no, I love animals. Do I believe Tokay could come into contact with a toddler, probably not, but it could happen, if the Tokay was asleep in a dark spot and anyone put their hand on it. That is NOT the point. The point is taking responsibility for animals you own. PERIOD. I also don't think letting a dog or cat stay "lost" is responsible and we know most of those can survive. Do you get my drift???
You said :If more people respected animals like I do then the world would be a better place. " NOT IF WE LET THEM ALL ROAM FREE!
Julirs
New Member
Sharkey is in fact a she. And she is compassionate about animals. The issue here is that in Florida so many non-native lizards are destroying the native populations. To be compassionate about animals and be a good "biologist" so to speak can mean different things. I think it is terribly sad that they have open hunts on the beautiful deer in Indiana State Parks, but they are over populating and destroying native plants not to mention starving each other due to their sheer numbers.
codiwatkins
New Member
I think the trash can thing would be your best bet!! WOW i just looked up a pic of them and they are stunning geckos for sure!!!
Good luck catching it!
Good luck catching it!
