Cryptoblepharus virgatus

Last updated

Cryptoblepharus virgatus
Cryptoblepharus virgatus.jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Cryptoblepharus
Species:
C. virgatus
Binomial name
Cryptoblepharus virgatus
(Garman, 1901)
Fence skinks may grow up to 10cm in length. Cryptoblepharus virgatus size reference.jpg
Fence skinks may grow up to 10cm in length.

Cryptoblepharus virgatus, also commonly known as striped snake-eyed skink, cream-striped shinning-skink, [2] wall skink, [3] fence skink or snake-eyed skink is a skink commonly found in southern and eastern Australia. [4] It is an active little lizard, and if threatened will often play dead to confuse the attacker.

Contents

Description

It is a relatively small, flat bodied skink of a silver-gray coloring. It has a distinct white stripe running along its body from the eye to the base of its tail. It typically grows to a length of around 4 cm (1.6 in) [3] but may grow up to be around 10 cm (3.9 in) in length. [5] Also sometimes called a snake-eyed skink because it lacks eyelids, instead having a translucent layer of scales covering its eyes similar to that of snakes. The skink has around five supraciliary scales, with 22 rows of scales on the midbody and eight plantar scales that are rounded and pale plantar scales. [3]

Taxonomy

The species was first formally identified by the herpetologist Samuel Garman in 1901 as part of the work Some reptiles and batrachians from Australasia as published in the Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard. [2] The species name is Latin for striped. [3]

Habitat

The range of the skink is in north eastern Queensland [3] and into Papua New Guinea. [2] Its habitats include urban areas, woodlands and grasslands. [1] Will often be seen on vertical surfaces such trees, fences and walls.

Related Research Articles

<i>Cryptoblepharus</i> Genus of lizards

Cryptoblepharus is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. The genus contains at least 53 species.

<i>Cryptoblepharus litoralis</i> Species of lizard

The coastal snake-eyed skink or supralittoral shinning-skink is a small skink found in North Queensland, Australia and New Guinea.

<i>Cryptoblepharus australis</i> Species of lizard

Cryptoblepharus australis, commonly called the inland snake-eyed skink, is a species of skink in the genus Cryptoblepharus.

Cryptoblepharus yulensis is a species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Papua New Guinea.

Cryptoblepharus adamsi, also known commonly as Adams's snake-eyed skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Queensland in Australia.

<i>Cryptoblepharus boutonii</i> Species of lizard

Cryptoblepharus boutonii, also known commonly as Bouton's snake-eyed skink, Bouton's skink, and the snake-eyed skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Mauritius, including nearby islets.

<i>Cryptoblepharus buchananii</i> Species of lizard

Cryptoblepharus buchananii, also known commonly as Buchanan's snake-eyed skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Western Australia.

Cryptoblepharus cygnatus, also known commonly as Swanson's snake-eyed skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the Northern Territory in Australia.

Cryptoblepharus daedalos, also known commonly as the dappled snake-eyed skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the Northern Territory in Australia.

Cryptoblepharus exochus, also known commonly as the noble snake-eyed skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the Northern Territory in Australia.

Cryptoblepharus gurrmul, also known commonly as the Arafura snake-eyed skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the Northern Territory in Australia.

Cryptoblepharus juno, also known commonly as Juno's snake-eyed skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the Northern Territory in Australia.

Cryptoblepharus mertensi, also known commonly as Merten's snake-eyed skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the Northern Territory in Australia.

Cryptoblepharus ochrus, also known commonly as the pale snake-eyed skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the Australian state of South Australia.

Cryptoblepharus pannosus, also known commonly as the ragged snake-eyed skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Australia.

Cryptoblepharus richardsi is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Misima Island in the northwest of Louisiade Archipelago, Papua New Guinea.

Cryptoblepharus tytthos, also known commonly as the pygmy snake-eyed skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the Australian state of Western Australia.

Cryptoblepharus ustulatus, also known commonly, as the russet snake-eyed skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the Australian state of Western Australia.

Cryptoblepharus wulbu, also known commonly as the spangled snake-eyed skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the Northern Territory in Australia.

Cryptoblepharus zoticus, also known commonly as the agile snake-eyed skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Queensland in Australia.

References

  1. 1 2 Hoskin, C.; Couper, P.; Amey, A. (2018). "Cryptoblepharus virgatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2018: e.T42483576A42483585. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T42483576A42483585.en . Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 "Cryptoblepharus virgatus (Garman, 1901) Striped Snake-Eyed Skink". Atlas of Living Australia. Global Biodiversity Information Facility . Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Stewart McDonald. "Wall skink Cryptoblepharus virgatus - (Garman, 1901)". Australian Reptile Online Database. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  4. Cryptoblepharus virgatus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database . Accessed 14 January 2020.
  5. "Wall Skink (Cryptoblepharus virgatus)". Australian Wildlife. Ozanimals. Retrieved 3 March 2019.