Tokays are known as the smartest of the gecko species "Taming" a tokay is a different process than most other geckos as a result. Earning their trust is a huge and important part of the taming and handling journey.

When you first bring your tokay home, please allow them a few months (yes, months) to adjust to their new environment and you. Spend a lot of time around their enclosure talking to them and letting them get used to your presence. Do not worry if they do not eat right away. They need time to adjust. Eventually you can offer food in a cup and allow them to approach you. Food association is a strong component of taming.

When physically handling a tokay, calm and confident body language is necessary. If you are stiff, jerky or scared, your gecko will pick up on that body language and react accordingly. Do not grip their body tightly. Let them relax on your hand or arm without restraining and always handle in a safe environment in case they do bolt away from you. Even the tamest of tokays may still bark and gape when handled. By not reacting to their threats, they will eventually relax.

Letting your tokay learn to know and tolerate you before handling will go a long way in gaining their trust. Patience is key. That being said, they are perfectly happy never being handled and just being admired as the beautiful species they are.