#skinks

[sapphuric-acid]

an actual mistake I've made

[snototter]

A shingleback skink (Tiliqua rugosa) flashes its blue tongue in a defensive posture in Gundabooka National Park, NSW, Australia

by Ken Griffiths

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Uncharismatic Fact of the Day

Aotearoa (aka New Zealand) is home to a wonderfully diverse array of animals-- and one that mustn't be overlooked in the slightest is the slight skink! As Aotearoa's smallest skink species, they can reach a maximum length of only 5.1 cm (2 in) including the tail.

[leveragehunters]

Using this month's free blaze to share one of the blue-tongue skinks that live in my backyard.

There's at least three, all indifferent to human whim, so they occasionally have to be moved so the lawn can be mowed.

[hometoursandotherstuff]

[randomanimaloftheday]

Day 226#: Bermuda Rock Skink

Today's animal of the day is the Bermuda Rock Skink (Plestiodon longirostris)!

Photo credit: Brian Gratwicke

Also known as the Bermuda longnose skink, this small species of lizard is endemic to the island of Bermuda and is listed as critically endangered. They only grow to around 3 inches long (not including their tails) and are typically a dark brown or black color with pinkish underbellies and orange heads. Hatchlings are also born with bright blue tails and black stripes running along their sides, but these eventually fade as they age. Interestingly, females seem to keep their stripes slightly longer than the males do. They are found mostly in rocky coastal areas and feed on small crustaceans, isopods, cockroaches, and other small invertebrates.

Photo credit: Luke Foster

Sadly, habitat loss and the introduction of invasive predators, such as domestic cats, rats, crows, cane toads, etc, have drastically shrunk the native range of the Bermuda rock skink in recent years. They are now restricted to a handful of predator-free pockets on mainland Bermuda as well as some of the surrounding small islands, usually in nature reserves. Litter also poses a huge threat to these little guys, since they often climb into discarded soda cans or bottles and then can't climb out since their feet lack friction pads. Since they can't climb out, they usually die inside due to either starvation, dehydration, or heat stress. Thankfully, this species received legal protection in 2003 by the Bermuda Protected Species Act, and there are several zoos and other facilities (like the Chester Zoo) that are attempting to breed these skinks in captivity so they can eventually be released back into the wild.

[markscherz]

do you know anything about emerald tree skinks? they're a cool weird looking lizard i think. they look like they don't have necks they're not on madagascar though. soirry irt's a cool lzioard i wanted to see if u knew about it

A bit. There are quite a few skinks that have gone arboreal and become green, but I am guessing you are referring to Lamprolepis smaragdina. One noteworthy species that looks quite similar is Prasinohaema virens, which is similarly green and arboreal. They use biliverdin—a toxic bile pigment—in their blood to get the green colour. It also makes the blood green!

[ramicorn]

me when i engage with my hobby

@rainyydoves hi mention attack

rbs are apreciated look at my skink and unidentified bug boy