View Full Version : Tokay at Midway
So I know that Midway Pets isn't very popular on here and I agree completely with the feeling. I hate going in there, but we were on our way home from Fred Meyer when we remembered we needed more CGD. We weren't sure if Midway would have it (they didn't) but we checked since they were on the way. While we were there I checked out their herps and saw an adult-size-ish Tokay gecko that appeared healthy and well fed. He/she was marked at just $20. I figured with the relatively recent Tokay talk on here someone might be interested so here I am telling you all about it. ;)
As a side note, we've both noticed that Midway has improved their herp section considerably. They have a rather large enclosure at the end with four RTBs in sterilite tubs, two albino and two normals(?). Might be a new breeding project for them. I still don't feel very excited about the overall presentation of their shop, but it's slowly getting better.
we (PNHS) went and did a site visit last weekend before the meeting.
Scott, Dave and I went through the herp section and talked with Charles about the few issues we found. I was going to see if I could find someone (Dave?) willing to write up the experience briefly for the Jan NL; otherwise I'll end up doing so myself. I do think it's important to notice that they are trying to improve. I think it will keep getting better, but we'll be working with them for a little while I think
I was glued to that tokay cage. When I was there they had 2. The only thing is, a tokay priced @ $15-20 is going to be wild caught, guaranteed. Pretty much any tokay you find in a pet store will be wild caught. And as we all know, wild caught animals tend to come with parasites, viruses and high vet bills. So, I wait. :rolleyes:
Plus, I asked the guy we were there meeting with. He said those tokays came from Cal Zoo. They say their animals are captive bred, but usually they're not. At least that's what I've heard.
Adams Family
12-16-2008, 18:54
I was glued to that tokay cage. When I was there they had 2. The only thing is, a tokay priced @ $15-20 is going to be wild caught, guaranteed. Pretty much any tokay you find in a pet store will be wild caught. And as we all know, wild caught animals tend to come with parasites, viruses and high vet bills. So, I wait. :rolleyes:
Plus, I asked the guy we were there meeting with. He said those tokays came from Cal Zoo. They say their animals are captive bred, but usually they're not. At least that's what I've heard.
I have heard the same and it is this way with many animals at certain pet shops. Even with inverts
Wow I am so happy about midway getting better - I can’t wait to shop there - so proud to be a part of Pnwhs who is working alongside of them!!!
Knowledge is power!:):):)
I didn't know you guys were doing a visit there, that's awesome! I'm glad that it's well recognized that they're making an effort to improve.
Emily, good point on it likely being WC. I guess I've been pretty spoiled with getting our animals (less Cheeto) from either people we know and/or reputable breeders so having to consider an animal's origin at a pet store hasn't been something I've had to worry about.
another thing to stress here - Charles came to our November meeting to talk about his store. there was a thread not long ago covering this topic...anyways, even if it doesn't ever become *perfect*, it's still kudos to them for approaching us and doing what they can to improve
Adams Family
12-16-2008, 19:55
another thing to stress here - Charles came to our November meeting to talk about his store. there was a thread not long ago covering this topic...anyways, even if it doesn't ever become *perfect*, it's still kudos to them for approaching us and doing what they can to improve
I couldnt agree more.. it is so great!:)
gulogulo82
12-17-2008, 00:46
I was going to see if I could find someone (Dave?) willing to write up the experience briefly for the Jan NL
Thats a great idea. I have wanted to start a thread about local pet shops and see what other members thought, but I would be afraid of a member working there and getting insulted. Maybe there could just be an official review of a different shop in each newsletter. That would be great.
pretty much all the pet shops around have been talked about just do a search
Thats a great idea. I have wanted to start a thread about local pet shops and see what other members thought, but I would be afraid of a member working there and getting insulted. Maybe there could just be an official review of a different shop in each newsletter. That would be great.
I think the important thing would be that if you are going to discuss a local shop to do so with respect and to be constructive, not insulting. Also, observations are infinitely more informative than opinions and assumptions (ie: "I saw ___ at ___ today" is better than "____ is retarded, they don't know what they're doing"). I would say that 99.9% of pet shops do have the best intentions and if they get something wrong (no one is perfect, not even us) it's not because they don't care or are stupid. We exist because of our passion for these awesome animals and insulting others with the same passion doesn't help anyone. The society's visit to Midway is right on the money as to what we should all be doing, making an effort to share our knowledge and experience in a constructive way. Also important to keep in mind is that in this hobby, there is often more than one right answer and what works for you in your herp room isn't necessarily what works for Jimbob in Jimbob's herp room.
Midway coming to us for help, even after being flamed on our boards, demands a ton of respect from me. I feel ashamed that I contributed to the aforementioned flaming and am excited about what the future holds for our new friends at Midway!
I think the important thing would be that if you are going to discuss a local shop to do so with respect and to be constructive, not insulting. Also, observations are infinitely more informative than opinions and assumptions (ie: "I saw ___ at ___ today" is better than "____ is retarded, they don't know what they're doing"). .....
I couldn't agree more. Partly because I'm older than most of the people who post here, I still tend to think of the printed word in terms of newspapers rather than internet, and I've occasionally been shocked by how casually people posting on the internet throw around accusations and gossip. I just don't think it's right. One of the big problems seems to me to be that some people don't re-read what they type and put any real thought into what they're saying or the consequences of it. I just think that it's important that we be responsible about what we post.
I couldn't agree more. Partly because I'm older than most of the people who post here, I still tend to think of the printed word in terms of newspapers rather than internet, and I've occasionally been shocked by how casually people posting on the internet throw around accusations and gossip. I just don't think it's right. One of the big problems seems to me to be that some people don't re-read what they type and put any real thought into what they're saying or the consequences of it. I just think that it's important that we be responsible about what we post.
Well put Cecilia & Aaron!
onebadrr
12-17-2008, 12:32
Is anyone going to go pick him/her/it up?
Is anyone going to go pick him/her/it up?
Well, I'm certainly not. I'm waiting for a nice CB. Don't know too many other peeps on here that are interested in obtaining a tokay right now. And they looked like they were doing just fine. One was a bit on the scrawny side, but that's generally how WC tokays typically come in.
dalvers63
12-17-2008, 12:37
Well, I'm certainly not. I'm waiting for a nice CB. Don't know too many other peeps on here that are interested in obtaining a tokay right now. And they looked like they were doing just fine. One was a bit on the scrawny side, but that's generally how WC tokays typically come in.
Plus, any money you may save in picking him up at the pet store you'll turn around and spend at the vet getting a fecal done and then trying to medicate the little guy (not something I want to do..but I'd be happy to watch!)
Em brought up a good point a few weeks ago, though; an angry tokay is almost guaranteed to gape at you. oral meds are probably the easiest way to go
just inject the meds into a roach -
onebadrr
12-17-2008, 12:46
Mike looks happy. But yea orals would be gravy! Just wave it around their little face for a couple seconds and they do half the work for you.
It wouldn't be that hard to medicate a tokay. I've done carnivorous lizards before by cutting a little hole in the side of a f/t pinky mouse, then pressing a syringe of meds against it and pushing the meds inside. Works great for thick stuff like panacur. Then just toss the pinky to the critter and you're done!
Jennifer
Mike looks happy. But yea orals would be gravy! Just wave it around their little face for a couple seconds and they do half the work for you.
Problem is, some of them learn that meds taste awful. :) My tegu is a bitey little monster, but take her out and try to get Baytril down her and her jaws are hermetically sealed. We have to pry them open with a speculum and she does death rolls to escape.
Jennifer
and she does death rolls to escape.
Can I come over and watch? :p
Plus, any money you may save in picking him up at the pet store you'll turn around and spend at the vet getting a fecal done and then trying to medicate the little guy (not something I want to do..but I'd be happy to watch!)
I constantly debate with myself wether or not to buy at a pet store. You brought a very good point. The other debate is are you 'rescuing' or 'supporting' WC herps. You know they (pet store) will just go out and get more. :(
I know that the White Lined Gecko Itchy was the easiest lizard I've ever had to medicate. He'd gape, in the syringe would go, and presto. Quick and easy!
For the record, White Lineds are very closely related to Tokays! ;)
He'd gape, in the syringe would go, and presto. Quick and easy!
My tokay book has a great photo illustrating this. (sorry it's a bit warbly, our scanner @ work is the copy machine, and it's tough to tell what's going on under the lid!)
johnatmidway
12-22-2008, 14:09
Hi,
I have been keeping an eye on these forums for some time now, basiclly ever since the "other" thread was brought to my attentioin.
and I have a few things to say.
first:
that tokay needs a home... and hes been there forever.
second:
those snakes in the big display in the sterilite containers are charlies personal snakes, hes in the middle of relocating them.
and finally,
thanks
for the kind words.
I hope you all know the we try to do our best.
and if your ever interested in doing the "less talk more action type of deal" they took me on as a voulenteer in the fish department, maybe they could use a hand in the rep section as well. who knows, all you have to do is ask.
anyway thanks again
~John~
onebadrr
12-22-2008, 14:20
[QUOTE=johnatmidway;33264]Hi,
that tokay needs a home... and hes been there forever.
/QUOTE]
Bummer your way down south! I just freed up another tank :(
My tokay book has a great photo illustrating this. (sorry it's a bit warbly, our scanner @ work is the copy machine, and it's tough to tell what's going on under the lid!)
Emily
What Tokay book is that? Also, does anyone know what they want for the Gecko? :rolleyes: I will be down that way on Saturday.
onebadrr
12-22-2008, 14:29
Probably "General care and maintenance of Tokay Geckos and related species"
By Sean Mckeown and Jim Zaworski.
hey Amy - those are a whole new ball of wax if you decide to get one...stuff to do every day for them to stay healthy.
there are a handful of good caresheets I was able to find, so there's info on the net. however, they are not as easy as Cresties (IMHO).
Mike's awesome, but he does require a bit more intensive upkeep
onebadrr
12-22-2008, 14:41
Yea on the rating scale cresties are a 1, tokays are a 2-3 depending where you look
Probably "General care and maintenance of Tokay Geckos and related species"
By Sean Mckeown and Jim Zaworski.
That would be the one! There aren't a whole lot to choose from. I got mine on used on Amazon, decent shape for $3. It cost $4 to ship, but still, $7 for a book of good, general info on tokays isn't a bad deal. :)
onebadrr
12-22-2008, 14:56
That would be the one! There aren't a whole lot to choose from. I got mine on used on Amazon, decent shape for $3. It cost $4 to ship, but still, $7 for a book of good, general info on tokays isn't a bad deal. :)
I got mine for free with Fluffy :D
:o:o:o
Well, I did the impulsive thing and bought the two geckos they had. Let's say there is room for improvement down there. Seeing lots of poop on the walls and dead fuzzy crickets in the water bowls, with those that had water in their bowls is nothing but common sense husbandry practices. I won't go in there again.
I was at a Petco the other day and noticed they had dusted their crickets, so kudos for them.
Anyway, go ahead and blast me for what I did.
I did buy the Gecko book while I was there and have some hard and fast reading to do. I believe I have two females that are 55 and 60 grams respectfully. I have them in a 20 gallon (as opposed to the ten gallon they were in, but there were hides) and papertowels for substrate with hides. It is wierd that they are hiding together. One took a dump, so I will take it into the vet for a fecal and hope for the best.
Do I just wait for red spots to show up on the papertowels to see if they have mites? I am trying to keep their handling to a minimum. Thanks
:o:o:o
Well, I did the impulsive thing and bought the two geckos they had....Anyway, go ahead and blast me for what I did.
......... Thanks
No blast here, aja! I'm too busy laughing that you're expecting it!
Aren't we all just as silly as can be?
Congrats on your 2 new little buddies. Once they are established, post pictures!
Amy, it took an incredible amount of willpower for me to NOT buy those tokays. So, no blasting. :)
Glad you got the book! It's got some good, solid information in there. Certainly doesn't cover everything, but it's a really good place to start.
Congrats on the new babies! I trust you will post pictures soon?
onebadrr
12-28-2008, 13:01
Grats on the tokays! Got a thick pair of gloves?:D
The fecal came back negative on the Tokay . :D
The fecal came back negative on the Tokay . :D
Sweet! Good deal. Are they settling in nicely?
I am not sure, as they hide in their box all day. I haven't deteremined their gender yet. I think their major color is blue, one is darker then the other. I want to feed them pinkies, but all I have are the frozen type, will they eat those thawed or is it an acquired taste?
onebadrr
12-30-2008, 17:54
Neither of mine will eat frozen. They both ate live. I'm not sure if it has to do with movement, or the smell of them. And that's very odd that they're hiding in a box. How big of a tank do you have them in?
I hope that mine will someday take f/t. I know I'm going to have to do the live pinkie thing, and I'm just going to have to get over it.
One technique I have suggested to Aimee but has yet to be tested: some weekend morning, get up and have 5-6 cups of coffee on an empty stomach. Then feed the tokay. Perhaps the rapid shaking of your hand will make the pinkie on the end of the tongs appear live! :D
.....One technique I have suggested to Aimee but has yet to be tested: some weekend morning, get up and have 5-6 cups of coffee on an empty stomach. Then feed the tokay. Perhaps the rapid shaking of your hand will make the pinkie on the end of the tongs appear live! :D
I think you're really onto something there!
Neither of mine will eat frozen. They both ate live. I'm not sure if it has to do with movement, or the smell of them. And that's very odd that they're hiding in a box. How big of a tank do you have them in?
They are in a 20 gallon with a box on each end, in case they didn't want to hang out together. They are rarely on the sides of the tank.
have you given them lots of cover? Mike's usually on the wall of the tank or on the stick, behind one of his plants. I can still see him, but the plants give him cover so he doesn't feel exposed. occasionally he's in the plant :) but usually on the glass or the stick, keeping an eye on the dogs
this is a 29T, so he has plenty of space to roam around. since I took this pic, I've also added a layer of beaked moss to the floor so he has a ton of cover
No, they don't have any cover and I am sure this is part of the "problem" . I only laid down papertowels and the two boxes because I wanted to see if any mites would fall off on them and to pick up any fecal matter to have it checked. They will get a vivarium here pretty quick.
Aimee where did you get your plants? I see the one to the left at Home Depot but not the other ones.
all 4 of those came from HD. the two in the middle are small bromeliads, and the one on the right is a ficus varietal. and yeah, if you haven't given them anywhere to hide, no wonder they're in the box....that'll change soon
onebadrr
12-31-2008, 11:27
Yea you need to fix their surroundings. Tokay's are almost always on the sides of their tank. Get rid of the boxes, and stand some cork bark against the glass so they can hide behind it. And did you get a 20L or 20H? I'd upgrade to a 29 tall. Lot's of plants, cork bark, and they should be fine.
oh, I also put a couple pieces of bark in there too (maple). I need an updated pic!
for cheap and easy to clean hides, empty papertowel tubes should be good for the Tokays as well, until you get the all clear that they are parasite free.
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