This day gecko is now extinct. It was described also as P. newtonii, yet this name was also used as a synonym for Phelsuma gigas. P. edwardnewtoni belonged to the largest day geckos. It reached a total length of about 23 cm. Earlier investigators describe the animal as being quite common. However, this species has not been sighted since 1917, in spite of thorough searches in the 1960s and 1970s on Rodrigues and all offshore islets. Today, only 5 preserved specimens remain, three of which are in The Natural History Museum in London, the two others being in the Paris Museum. These specimens have been preserved in alcohol and show a thick-bodied, robust Phelsuma. The body colour has been described as bright green with bright blue spots on the back. The underside of the tail was whitish yellow. The chin had a deep yellow colour.
Distribution
This species inhabited Rodrigues Island and its surrounding islets.
Habitat
P. edwardnewtoni has been observed on coconut trees and other palms. Their habitat has been largely destroyed by humans and introduced animals such as cats and rats, which may have been the main cause of their extinction.
Diet
These day geckos fed on various insects and other invertebrates. They also liked to lick soft, sweet fruit, pollen and nectar.
Behaviour
P. edwardnewtoni was documented as being unafraid of humans. It was quite tame and would even eat fruit from one's hand.
References
Henkel, F.-W. and W. Schmidt (1995) Amphibien und Reptilien Madagaskars, der Maskarenen, Seychellen und Komoren. Ulmer Stuttgart. ISBN 3-8001-7323-9
McKeown, Sean (1993) The general care and maintenance of day geckos. Advanced Vivarium Systems, Lakeside CA.
Two types of snakes were accidentally introduced from India, the Blind Indian Snake (Typhlina bramina) and the Wolf Snake (Lycodon aulicum), locally known as Couleuvre.
stuffed Phelsumaedwardnewtoni in the Port Louis National History Museum
Virtual Museum of Natural History : Phelsuma guentheri
Feeds |
Contact