EMDERBURY 
DRAFT 2 
REPTILES 
Two species of terrestrial reptiles occur on Enderbury and no other 
species have ever been recorded as occurring on the island. 
Sea turtles from about 20 pounds to adult size have frequently been 
<k 
seen feeding in shallow water over the reef, particularly on the east side. 
Turtles were found on the beach on several ocaasions and three dead turtles 
were found in the interior of the island. The tracks, left by the turtles 
before they died, seemed to indicate that they had become lost and had been 
unable to return to the sea. One of them had wandered at least a mile 
through the interior of the island, for much of the way over sharp coral 
rubble. 
Snake-eyed Skink ( Cryptoblepharus poecidopleurus ) 
Current Status: Abundant 
Population ; This species was common on most parts of the island but was 
never found in the areas of coral rubble at the north end. When Bryan 
visited the island in MarchlJ24 he found "numerous” lizards, presumably this 
species. A large number of specimens haisbeen collected by POBSP personnel 
and deposited at the Smithsonian Institution. 
although 
This species is strictly diurnal while the gekko,/mainly nocturnal, 
is found hunting for food during the day inside the buildings. 
Mourning Gekko ( Lepidodactylus lugubris ) 
Current Status : Common 
Population : Although found most frequently around the bytidings gekkos are 
probably equally common in other areas but are less easily observed. Over 
30 specimens have been deposited with the Smithsonian Institution by POBSP 
personnel. 
