Nessia hickanala

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Nessia hickanala
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Nessia
Species:
N. hickanala
Binomial name
Nessia hickanala

Nessia hickanala, also known as the shark-headed snake skink [2] and Hickanala nessia, is a species of skink endemic to island of Sri Lanka. [3]

Contents

Description

Midbody scales rows 2–21. Body is elongated and limbless. Head flattened, wedge-shaped. Eyes greatly reduced. Lower eyelid comprising three transparent scales. Ears are small. Dorsal scales enlarged. Dorsum and venter are pinkish brown. Scales dark brown.

Distribution and habitat

A fossorial skink, known only from the dry North West. One specimen was found from a depth of 6 cm under a heap of coconut branches at Pomparippu, Snout 8 km from the coast. Species is also known from Wilpattu National Park.

Ecology and diet

Inhabits lowlands, under 50m.

Reproduction

2 eggs are laid in loose soil.

Related Research Articles

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<i>Lankascincus deignani</i> Species of lizard

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<i>Lankascincus gansi</i> Species of lizard

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<i>Lankascincus taprobanensis</i> Species of lizard

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Nessia gansi, also known commonly as Gans's three-toed snake skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the island of Sri Lanka.

References

  1. Deraniyagala, P. E. P. (1940). "A new apodal lizard, Nessia hickanala, from Ceylon". Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London. 152 (1): 37–39. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8312.1940.tb00243.x.
  2. "Tetrapod Reptiles of Sri Lanka". Biodiversity of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  3. Nessia hickanala at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 29 May 2021.