| Ctenotus astarte | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Scincidae |
| Genus: | Ctenotus |
| Species: | C. astarte |
| Binomial name | |
| Ctenotus astarte Czechura, 1986 | |
Ctenotus astarte, also known commonly as the stony downs ctenotus, is a species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Australia.
The specific name, astarte, is an allusion to Astarte, the goddess of fertility, sexuality, and war in ancient Assyrian mythology. [2]
In Australia, C. astarte is found in southwestern Queensland and extreme northeastern South Australia. [3] [1]
The preferred natural habitats of C. astarte are grassland, shrubland, and savanna. [1]
Moderately large for its genus, C. astarte has a snout-to-vent length of 6–8 cm (2.4–3.1 in). [4]