Komodo Dragon - Skinks Resource Page - Scincidae Family of Lizards

Skinks (Scincidae family of Lizards) Skinks are a diverse group of lizards with a very large number of species. CUNNINGHAM'S SKINK Egernia cunninghami A medium to large omniverous skink, the Cunningham Skink can grow to around 40cm (15in) in length. Found throughout south-eastern Australia, they are most commonly found along coastal New South Wales in and around rock outcrops. When threatened, the Cunningham Skink will retreat into a rock crevice, inflate it's tail and the backward facing scales on the lower body prevent extraction. STATUS: COMMON Image: David Warwick (Taronga Zoo Exhibit - Feb 2005) EASTERN BLUE-TONGUED LIZARD Tiliqua scincoides The world's largest skinks, reaching around 50cm (20in) in length, Blue-Tongues range throughout most of Australia and are common even in suburban areas where they find prey in domestic gardens and may live in rock crevices or debris. Blue-Tongues give birth to live lizards rather than laying eggs and the embryos have placental matter similar to that of mammals. The Eastern blue-tongued lizard is characterized by its long blue tongue which it uses in defensive display. Like many of the larger Australian skinks, the blue-tongue has short legs which give it a waddling motion as it walks. Relatively docile, Blue Tongues are easy to tame and relatively easy to care for. STATUS: COMMON Image: David Warwick (Taronga Zoo Exhibit - Feb 2005) HOSMER'S SKINK Egernia hosmeri Hosmer's Skink is found in northern Queensland in arid rocky ranges and outcrops. The skink grows to around 30cm (12in) in length and is yellowish-brown to reddish-brown in colour. Colonies are generally found in rock crevices, hollows or dead timber. STATUS: UNCOMMON Image: David Warwick (Taronga Zoo Exhibit - Feb 2005) NIGHT SKINK Egernia striata The Night Skink is found in central-Western Australia in arid sand plains and spinifex areas. The skink grows to around 24cm (10in) in length and is brown to deep red in colour. Colonies are generally found in deep burrow systems with multiple entrances. STATUS: COMMON Image: David Warwick (Taronga Zoo Exhibit - Jan 2005) SHINGLE-BACK LIZARD Trachydosaurus rugosus The Shingleback Lizard is a very distinctive member of the Skink family of lizards and the only member of the Trachydosaurus family. A relative of the Australian bluetongue, the Shingleback also has a blue tongue but is more recognisable for its very large scales and short rounded tail that resembles it's head. Growing to around 40cm (16 in) in length, the Shingleback is found in dryer areas of southern Australia and may live for over 20 years in captivity. Image: David Warwick (Kyabram Fauna Park - Oct 2005) SWAMP SKINK Egernia coventryi The Swamp Skink (also known as the Eastern Mourning Skink or Coventry's Skink), is found in coastal regions of Victoria and South Australia and may reach into New South Wales. This omniverous skink inhabits densely vegetated wetlands, both freshwater and saltwater. It is considered threatened or vulnerable, however there is some question over its scarecity, due to the fact that it seems to avoid standard survey methods such as Elliott traps. Growing to a length of around 20cm (SVL around 9cm), the skink creates its own burrow or can be found under thick vegetation or debris. STATUS: VULNERABLE Image: David Warwick (Healesville Sanctuary Exhibit - Feb 2005)