This article needs additional citations for verification .(July 2007) |
Red-eyed crocodile skink | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Family: | Scincidae |
Genus: | Tribolonotus |
Species: | T. gracilis |
Binomial name | |
Tribolonotus gracilis | |
Tribolonotus gracilis, commonly known as the red-eyed crocodile skink, is a species of skink that is endemic to New Guinea, where it lives in tropical rainforest habitats. It was first described by Nelly de Rooij in 1909. [2] It is sometimes kept as an exotic pet.
Tribolonotus gracilis is one of the few species of skinks that vocalize when in distress. [2] When startled, they tend to freeze and have been known to "play dead" (even when handled). [3]
A male red-eyed crocodile skink can be identified by the white pads (pores) on his feet. [4] Female red-eyed crocodile skinks have two working ovaries, but only the right oviduct is functional; therefore, eggs from the left ovary must migrate across the body cavity prior to oviposition. { [5] } She often curls around the egg and aggressively defends it when approached by a perceived threat. If it is uncovered, she will cover it back up. [6] Male crocodile skinks battle other males. Red-eyed crocodile skinks lay only one egg per clutch which is why it receives such heavy protection from both of its parents. [7]
Red-eyed crocodile skinks are available in the pet trade, but most are wild-caught rather than captive-bred.[ citation needed ] Handling is typically very stressful for this species and therefore discouraged.
Red-eyed crocodile skinks are carnivorous with a particular taste for insects. The standard diet of red eye skinks consists of grubs, crickets, and most worms such as earth, wax, and meal. Animals in captivity are typically fed vitamin D3 to help maintain their scales and health, however overconsumption can lead to lethargy and illness. These animals typically eat at dusk and dawn. Infants will only consume one insect at each mealtime totaling two per day. Adults change the pattern slightly typically only consuming three insects within a 48-hour window. [8]
Red-eyed crocodile skinks are typically found in Indonesia. Recently there have been increasing reports of Aeromonas hydrophila infections in these skinks. A study was conducted after a number of skinks who were shipped overseas to be sold as pets all perished along the boat due to unknown illness. The study concluded that Aeromonas hydrophila was present in these specimens and was likely to be spreading to more animals in the Indonesian region thanks to the aquatic environment that the skinks typically habitat being the ideal breeding ground for the bacterium. Additionally the colder climate is believed to have weakened the species immune system making them more susceptible to the disease. Skinks owned as pets are less likely to suffer from this ailment depending on which breeder they were acquired from however they are commonly susceptible to metabolic bone disease and respiratory infection. [9]
Skinks are lizards belonging to the family Scincidae, a family in the infraorder Scincomorpha. With more than 1,500 described species across 100 different taxonomic genera, the family Scincidae is one of the most diverse families of lizards. Skinks are characterized by their smaller legs in comparison to typical lizards and are found in different habitats except arctic and subarctic regions.
The Solomon Islands skink, also known as prehensile-tailed skink, monkey-tailed skink, giant skink, zebra skink, and monkey skink, is an arboreal species of skink endemic to the Solomon Islands archipelago. It is the largest known extant species of skink.
The central bearded dragon, also known as the inland bearded dragon, is a species of agamid lizard found in a wide range of arid to semiarid regions of eastern and central Australia.
Anolis carolinensis or green anole is a tree-dwelling species of anole lizard native to the southeastern United States and introduced to islands in the Pacific and Caribbean. A small to medium-sized lizard, the green anole is a trunk-crown ecomorph and can change its color to several shades from brown to green.
The western skink is a species of small, smooth-scaled lizard with relatively small limbs. It measures about 100 to 210 mm in total length. It is one of seven species of lizards in Canada. They spend much of their day basking in the sun. Their diet ranges widely, including spiders and beetles. Western skinks will bite if grasped and will flee if they feel threatened. It is a common but secretive species whose range extends from southern British Columbia and throughout Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming and into western Montana and northern Arizona and Missouri. They can also live in some areas of Texas It is widespread in northern California but primarily restricted to the coast in central and southern California. Found in a variety of habitats, this lizard is most common in early successional stages or open areas of late successional stages. Heavy brush and densely forested areas are generally avoided. Western skinks are found from sea level to at least 2,130 m (7,000 ft). This diurnal reptile is active during the warm seasons.
The (American) five-lined skink is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to North America. It is one of the most common lizards in the eastern U.S. and one of the seven native species of lizards in Canada.
The green tree python, is a species of snake in the family Pythonidae. The species is native to New Guinea, some islands in Indonesia, and the Cape York Peninsula in Australia. First described by Hermann Schlegel in 1872, it was known for many years as Chondropython viridis. As its common name suggests, it is a bright green snake that can reach a total length of 2 m (6.6 ft) and a weight of 1.6 kg (3.5 lb), with females slightly larger and heavier than males. Living generally in trees, the green tree python mainly hunts and eats small reptiles and mammals. It is a popular pet, and numbers in the wild have suffered with large-scale smuggling of wild-caught green tree pythons in Indonesia. Despite this, the green tree python is rated as least concern on the IUCN Red List of endangered species.
The pig-nosed turtle, also known as the Fly River turtle, the pitted-shelled turtle, and the Warrajan is a species of turtle which is native to northern Australia and southern New Guinea. It is the only living member of the genus Carettochelys and family Carettochelyidae, a family which also contains many fossil species with their closest relatives being the softshell turtles.
Plasmodium tribolonoti is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium.
Plasmodium gracilis is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium.
The giant spiny skink or Poncelet's helmet skink is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the Solomon Islands.
Mecistops is a genus of crocodiles, the slender-snouted crocodiles, native to sub-Saharan Africa.
The Jonquil parrot(Aprosmictus jonquillaceus) is a species of bird in the Psittaculidae family with two subspecies, Aprosmictus jonquillaceus jonquillaceus and Aprosmictus jonquillaceus wetterensis. It is a large, long-tailed green parrot with an orange bill and a wing patch which red in males and yellow in females. It is visible when a bird is perched and in flight. The juvenile looks like a female but lacks a wing patch.
A circulus is a rarely occurring reptilian social group where there is interaction and personal exchange between individuals. Members will often protect and defend young, even if not of direct genetic linkage. Circulus is a Latin based term; one definition of the word is "a social gathering or circle company". Most reptiles are indifferent socially to each other as adults or to offspring.
Saiphos equalis, commonly known as the yellow-bellied three-toed skink or simply three-toed skink, is a species of burrowing skink found in eastern Australia. It is the only species classified under the genus Saiphos.
Petronella Johanna Nelly de Rooij was a Dutch zoologist and herpetologist.
The white-eyed crocodile skink is a species of insectivorous lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is found in Irian Jaya and Papua New Guinea.
The western crocodile skink or false Poncelet's helmet skink is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is found in Bougainville and Buka.
Schmidt's helmet skink, also known commonly as Schmidt's crocodile skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.
The shrubland Morethia skink is a species of skink endemic to Australia, of the family Scincidae, found in New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria (Australia), Western Australia in Australia.