Florida's Exotic Wildlife. Species detail.
First year: 1965
Extirpated year:
Established status: Populations
are confirmed breeding and apparently self-sustaining for 10 or
more consecutive years.
Estimated Florida range: 1
county At least 10 years, 3 counties Less than 10
years, 1 county Not reported breeding
Statewide trend: Expanding
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Photograph by Dr. Kenneth L. Krysko © 2003
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Threats to natives: Eats other
arboreal lizards and frogs, and can potentially prey on small
nestling birds and rodents (Bartlett and Bartlett 1999). It has
even been observed eating a juvenile corn snake (Love 2000).
Species Account: This large lizard
from Southeast Asia can attain a total length of 30 cm (12 in). It
is widely sold in the pet trade and is often released by persons to
control cockroaches. In the subtropical climate of southern
Florida, it is established in many residences and office complexes,
where it is not restricted to the walls of buildings but can be
found on trees, power poles, and other objects. It is primarily
nocturnal but can sometimes be seen basking on cool, sunny
mornings. The gray or blue-gray body has orange markings, which
occur primarily as spots. The eyes and toe pads are large. Males
often call loudly ("geck-o" or "to-kay") on warm nights. A cornered
gecko will often aggressively bite an attacker and hold on
tenaciously (Bartlett and Bartlett 1999).
Habitats: Central or core urban
area, Low density suburban development, areas peripheral to core
urban areas, and small towns, Rockland Hammock
| County |
First Year |
Extirpated Year |
Breeding status |
Notes |
| ALACHUA |
1963 |
|
Less than 10 years |
Released in Gainesville as early as 1963 but not reported
breeding (King and Krakauer 1966); a small colony at warehouse
complex in northeastern Gainesville is apparently reproducing
(Butterfield and Hauge 2000) |
| DADE |
1965 |
|
Not reported breeding |
Miami (King and Krakauer 1966) |
| LEE |
? |
|
At least 10 years |
Fort Myers (Krysko et al., in press) |
| LEON |
1991 |
|
Less than 10 years |
Tallahassee (Means 1996a) |
| MONROE |
? |
|
Less than 10 years |
Established on Key Largo, Plantation, Little Torch, and other
keys (Krysko et al., in press) |
References
Bartlett, R. D., and P. P. Bartlett. 1999. A field
guide to Florida reptiles and amphibians. Gulf Publishing Company,
Houston, Texas. 278pp.
Butterfield, B. P., and J. B. Hauge. 2000. Gekko
gecko (Tokay gecko). Herpetological Review 31:52.
King, F. W., and T. Krakauer. 1966. The exotic
herpetofauna of southeast Florida. Quarterly Journal of the Florida
Academy of Sciences 29:144-154.
Love, B. 2000. Gekko gecko (Tokay gecko).
Predation. Herpetological Review 31:174.
Means, D. B. 1996a. Gekko gecko (Tokay gecko).
Herpetological Review 27:152.
Links to more information
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