Page 148 - Present Day Wildlife_Float

Skinks are small harmless lizards, numbering around 1,500 described species across 100 plus gene-
ra belonging to the family Scincidae*. They are present in most parts of the world but are most prevalent
in Southeast Asia, the deserts of Australia, and the temperate regions of North America. Their size varies
across species, but overall they are small. The smallest is thought to be Scincella lateralis at a length of
around 7.5 to 14.5 cm – half of which is the tail –
and weighs around 1 to 2 grams. The largest is the
Solomon Islands skink (Corucia zebrata), with a
length of around 60 to 75cm, and weighs of around
500 grams, though, the common Solomon Islands
skink weighs a little more, at 850 grams. Skinks
have been around for a long time, with the first rec-
orded fossil found dating back 140 million years.

Skinks have a long cylindrical snake-like tor-
so, with a short elongated head. Some species have
short necks while others like the red-eyed crocodile
skink have a very pronounced neck. Most however,
have no visible neck, their head being a mere ex-
*Family Scincidae tension of their torso. Most have short legs with
(See: Genetics) three to five long toes on each foot, though, some like the Florida
Genus Mabuya sand skink have shorter limbs and fewer toes. Others have longer
Genus Acontias legs with more toes and then there are some, such as the Southern
(25 species) blind legless skink, that have no legs. The skinks tail can be long
Genus Typhlosaurus or short. Skinks with long tails can regenerate new tails, if it’s lost
(5 species) to a predator, while those with short tails seem to struggle to re-
Subfamily Acontinae place a lost tail and some never do. Being lizards their upper bod-
(Limbless skinks; ies are covered with overlapping scales, with the larger of the spe-
30 species in 2 genera) cies having a pronounced set of overlapping scales on the crown of
Subfamily Egerniinae their heads. The colours skinks exhibit are generated by the envi-
(Social skinks; ronment they live in, and being the only tool they have for their
63 species in 9 genera) defence most skinks are masters of camouflage and disguise.
Subfamily Eugongylinae Frightened by a predator a skink can simply freeze, blending into
(Eugongylid skinks; the background. To the predator the skink has simply disap-
455 species in 50 genera) peared.
Subfamily Lygosominae
(Lygosomid skinks; In the areas of the world skink reside, they have carved out
56 species in 6 genera) their habitats in every conceivable environment such as jungles,
Subfamily Mabuyinae forests, swampland, mountains and hillsides, deserts and grass-
(Mabuyid skinks; land even nesting inside people’s homes. Skinks are a very versa-
226 species in 25 genera) tile species, with many being terrestrial – like Brauer's skink –
Subfamily Sphenomorphinae burrowing and building nests underground, some are arboreal,
(Sphenomorphid skinks; living and nesting in trees while other are aquatic like the golden
591 species in 41 genera) water skink and some like the Sand skink or sand swimmer, live
Subfamily Scincinae in dry desert areas. Skinks are diurnal and when they are not
(Typical skinks; basking in the sun they are hunting. They are carnivorous but are
294 species in 35 genera) also insectivorous living on all kinds of insects, the size of which
are determined by the size of the skink. Larger skink will also prey
on small rodents, geckos, and small lizards. In the world of the skink, it’s a ferocious and ruthless hunter.
However, in the world of its predators, raccoons, foxes, snakes, hawks and large lizards, it is virtually
defenceless. If caught it can fight back, it has sharp teeth and can prove a bit of a slippery customer, but
against larger more powerful animals escape is rare. Mans never ending thirst for more and more land
has driven many larger animals into the skinks traditional territories with the result that many skinks
like the, American Long-tailed skinks, have been driven into extinction. (See: Lizard)
Emerald tree skink Mastiff skinks Worm-skinks
Writhing skinks Sun skinks Comb-eared skinks
Blue-tongued skinks Snow skinks Water skinks
Crocodile skinks Shade skinks Prickly forest skink
Cool-skins skinks Asian tree skinks Common skinks
Four-fingered skinks African elongated skinks Pink-tongued skinks
Snake-eyed skinks