| Skinks | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 A Skink found at the Malabar Battery
|
||||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
| Subfamilies | ||||||||||||||||
|
Acontinae |
Skinks are the most diverse group of lizards. Lizards are a large and widespread group of Reptiles of the order Squamata, with nearly 5000 species and ranging across all continents except They make the family Scincidae which shares the superfamily or infraorder Scincomorpha with several other lizard families, including Lacertidae (the "true" or wall lizards). Scincomorpha is an Infraorder of Saurians Lacertidae is the family of the wall lizards, or true lizards, which are native to Europe, Africa, and Asia. The common wall lizard ( Podarcis muralis) is a species of Lizard with a large distribution in Europe and well-established introduced populations in Scincidae is the largest of the lizard families with about 1,200 species.
Contents |
Description
Skinks look roughly like true lizards, but most species have no pronounced neck and sport relatively small legs. Several genera (e. g. , Typhlosaurus) have no limbs at all, others, such as Neoseps, have only reduced limbs. Typhlosaurus are one of a number of genera of Skink (family Scincidae) characterized by their lack of limbs There is only one species known of the genus Neoseps, the Neoseps reynoldsi, commonly known as the (Florida Sand Skink. Often, their way of moving resembles that of snakes more than that of other lizards. A snake is an elongate Reptile of the suborder Serpentes Like all reptiles snakes are covered in scales. Skinks usually have long, tapering tails that can be shed and regenerated. In Biology, an Organism is said to regenerate a lost or damaged part if the part regrows so that the original function is restored
Most skinks are medium sized with a length from the snout to the vent of up to 12 cm, although there are a few that grow to larger sizes, such as the Corucia, which can reach 35 cm from snout to vent. A centimetre ( American spelling: centimeter, symbol cm) is a unit of Length in the Metric system, equal to one hundredth The Solomon Islands skink ( Corucia zebrata) is an Arboreal species of Skink endemic to the Solomon Islands.
Diet
Skinks are generally carnivorous and largely eat insects, including crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, and caterpillars. Insects ( Class Insecta) are a major group of Arthropods and the most diverse group of Animals on the Earth with over a million described Crickets, family Gryllidae (also known as "true crickets" are Insects somewhat related to Grasshoppers and more closely related to katydids Grasshoppers are Insects of the suborder Caelifera in the order Orthoptera. Beetles are the group of Insects with the largest number of known Species. Caterpillars are the Larval form of a member of the order Lepidoptera (the Insect order comprising butterflies and Moths They also eat earthworms, snails, slugs, isopods, other lizards, and small rodents. Earthworm is the usual name for the largest members of Oligochaeta (which is either a class or subclass depending on the author in the phylum Annelida In classical The word snail is a Common name that can be used for almost all members of the Molluscan class Gastropoda which have coiled shells in the Slug is a common non-scientific word which is often applied to any Gastropod mollusk whatsoever that has a very reduced shell a small internal shell Isopods are one of the most diverse orders of Crustaceans with many species living in all environments but are most common in shallow marine waters Rodentia is an order of Mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously-growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must Some species, particularly those favored as home pets, have a more varied diet and can be maintained on a regimen of roughly 60% vegetables/leaves/fruit and 40% meat and meat products (cat or dog food). [1]
Habitat
Skinks are found in a variety of habitats worldwide. Some species are endangered. An endangered species is a population of an organism which is at risk of becoming Extinct because it is either few in numbers or threatened by changing environmental or predation
Many species are good burrowers. There are more terrestrial or fossorial (burying) species than arboreal (tree-climbing) or aquatic species. Some are "sand swimmers", especially the desert species, such as the Mole skink in Florida. The Mole Skink ( Eumeces egregius) is a species of small Lizard living in the Southeastern United States. Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the Most skinks are diurnal, so they are active during the day. In Animal behavior, diurnality indicates an Animal that is active during the Daytime and rests during the Night. They like to crawl out on rocks or logs to bask (soak up heat from the sun) during the day and they eat green things too.
Breeding
During the breeding season, some types of skink will exhibit orange or red markings to indicate sexual maturity. About 55% of the skinks are oviparous, that is, they lay eggs in small clutches. The other 45% are ovoviviparous, giving birth to living offspring. Ovoviviparous Animals develop within eggs that remain within the mother's body up until they hatch or are about to hatch
Predators
Raccoons, foxes, possums, snakes, coatis, crows, cats, dogs, herons, hawks and kookaburras all prey on skinks. The raccoon ( Procyon lotor) (sometimes spelt as racoon) also known as the common raccoon, North American raccoon, northern raccoon A fox is an Animal belonging to any one of about 27 Species (of which only 12 actually belong to the Vulpes genus or 'true foxes' of small A possum is any of about 64 small to medium-sized Arboreal Marsupial Species native to Australia, New Guinea, and Sulawesi A snake is an elongate Reptile of the suborder Serpentes Like all reptiles snakes are covered in scales. The coati, genera Nasua and Nasuella, also known as the hog-nosed coon snookum bear and Brazilian Aardvark is a member of the Raccoon family ( Procyonidae The true crows are large Passerine Birds that comprise the Genus Corvus in the family Corvidae. WikipediaManual of Style (spelling, articles should conform to one overall spelling style of English typically the one most linked to the article topic (if it is geographic The dog ( Canis lupus familiaris) is a domesticated Subspecies of the gray wolf, a Mammal of the Canidae family of the order The herons are wading Birds in the Ardeidae family Some are called Egrets or Bitterns instead of herons The term hawk can be used in several ways In strict usage in Europe and Asia, to mean any of the Species in the Subfamily Kookaburras (genus Dacelo) (or Cookaburras are large to very large (total length 28-42 cm/11-17 in terrestrial Kingfishers native
 Bridled Mabuya, Mabuya vittata |
 Small backyard skink, Sydney, Australia |
 Skink, photographed at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida USA 2007 |
|
 Skink. Bridled Mabuya is a Species of Skinks found in North Africa and Middle East. The Blotched Blue-tongued Skink ( Tiliqua nigrolutea) is a Reptile with a long blue tongue Sydney (ˈsɪdniː is the most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 4 The Okefenokee Swamp is a shallow 438000 Acre (1770 km² Peat -filled wetland straddling the Georgia - Florida border in the United States Photographed by Patricia Hurtt at Florida Caverns State Park, Florida USA 2007 |
 Skink. Florida Caverns State Park is a Florida's State Park, located in the Florida Panhandle near Marianna. Photographed by Patricia Hurtt at Falling Waters State Park, Florida USA 2007 |
 Western Skink in San Diego, California |
 Skink in South Carolina |
 Skink. Falling Waters State Park is a 171-acre Florida State Park located three miles south of Chipley, off State Road 77A, in northwestern Florida Found at Ophoeng's front yard, BSD City, Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia. Tangerang is a City in Banten, Indonesia. It is located about 20 km west of Jakarta. |
 Long Tailed Skink. Photographed by AMS(Tasya), BSD City, Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia. Tangerang is a City in Banten, Indonesia. It is located about 20 km west of Jakarta. |
 Plestiodon japonicus |
Genera
Many large genera, Mabuya for example, are still insufficiently studied, and systematics is at times controversial, see e. Plestiodon is the name for genus of American Lizards formerly referred to as Eumeces, except those now placed in Mesoscincus Mabuya is a Genus of long-tailed Skinks found through Southeast Asia, Africa, and The Americas. g. the taxonomy of the Western Skink (Eumeces skiltonianus). The Western Skink ( Eumeces skiltonianus) is a small smooth- scaled Lizard with relatively small limbs measuring about 5 to 8 cm (2
References
- ^ McLeod, Lianne. The Skink Genus Ablepharus contains the common snake-eyed skinks. Acontias, the lance skinks, is a Genus of limbless Skinks ( family Scincidae) from Africa The genus Acontophiops is a genus of legless skinks Classification Genus Acontophiops Acontophiops lineatus - Woodbush Afroablepharus is a genus of Skinks Classification Genus Afroablepharus Afroablepharus duruarum Amphiglossus is a Genus of Skinks ( family Scincidae It is usually placed in the Subfamily Scincinae which seems Androngo is a Genus of Skinks ( family Scincidae It contains a single Species, Androngo trivittatus. Anomalopus is the Genus of worm-skinks, smallish smooth-scaled burrowing Skinks ( family Scincidae from the eastern half of Apterygodon is a genus of Skinks Classification Genus Apterygodon Apterygodon vittatum - Striped Tree Skink Asymblepharus is a genus of Skinks Classification Genus Asymblepharus Asymblepharus alaicus Ateuchosaurus is a Genus of Skinks ( family Scincidae containing only 2 Species. Barkudia is a genus of Skinks Subdivisions Genus Barkudia Barkudia insularis - Chilka Spotted Skink Bartleia is a genus of Skinks Classification Genus Bartleia Bartleia jigurru Bassiana is a Genus of Skinks ( family Scincidae It belongs to the Eugongylus group the genus Oligosoma Brachymeles is a Genus of Skinks ( family Scincidae It is usually placed in the Subfamily Scincinae which seems Caledoniscincus is a genus of Skinks Classification Genus Caledoniscincus Caledoniscincus aquilonius Calyptotis is a Genus of Skinks a type of Lizard, found in Australia. Carlia is a Genus of Skinks ( family Scincidae It belongs to a Clade with the genera Niveoscincus, Cautula is a genus of Skinks Classification Genus Cautula Cautula zia Chabanaudia is a genus of the Scincidae family Chabanaudia is composed of several species of Central African Lizards commonly known as Skinks Chalcides is a Genus of Skinks ( family Scincidae It is usually placed in the Subfamily Scincinae which seems Classification Genus Chalcidoseps Chalcidoseps thwaitesi Animals in the Coeranoscincus genus are a type of Skink found in Wet Tropics of Queensland, Australia. Classification Genus Cophoscincopus Cophoscincopus durus Cophoscincopus greeri The Solomon Islands skink ( Corucia zebrata) is an Arboreal species of Skink endemic to the Solomon Islands. Cryptoblepharus is a Genus of Skinks ( family Scincidae They occupy a fairly basal position among the Eugongylus Classification Genus Cryptoscincus Cryptoscincus minimus Ctenotus is a Genus of Skinks ( family Scincidae It belongs to a Clade in the Sphenomorphus group which Cyclodina is a genus of Skinks found only in New Zealand, except for one species (the Lord Howe Island skink) which is found only on Cyclodomorphus is a Genus of small to medium-sized Skinks ( family Scincidae Dasia is a genus of skinks found in Asia Classification Genus Dasia Dasia griffini Dasia grisea Classification Genus Davewakeum Davewakeum miriamae Egernia is a genus of Skinks ( family Scincidae which occurs in Australia. Emoia is a Genus of Skinks ( family Scincidae It belongs to a group of genera mainly from the SW Pacific - Australian Classification Genus Eremiascincus Eremiascincus fasciolatus Eremiascincus richardsonii Classification Genus Eroticoscincus Eroticoscincus graciloides Eugongylus is a Genus of Skinks ( family Scincidae The namesake of the Eugonglyus group of genera it occupies a quite basal Eulamprus is a Genus of Skinks ( family Scincidae It belongs to a Clade in the Sphenomorphus group which The Genus Eumeces Skinks ( family Scincidae comprises four African to Middle-Eastern species Classification Genus Eumecia Eumecia anchietae Eumecia johnstoni Classification Genus Euprepes Euprepes chaperi Classification Genus Eurylepis Eurylepis indothalensis Eurylepis poonaensis Eurylepis Feylinia is a Genus of Skinks ( family Scincidae It is usually placed in the Monotypic Subfamily Feylininae Classification Genus Fojia Fojia bumui Classification Genus Geomyersia Geomyersia coggeri Geomyersia glabra Classification Genus Geoscincus Geoscincus haraldmeieri Glaphyromorphus is a Genus of the Skink family ( Scincidae) Classification Genus Glaphyromorphus Glaphyromorphus Gnypetoscincus is a Monotypic Genus of Skinks ( family Scincidae Gongylomorphus is a Genus of Skinks ( family Scincidae It is endemic to Mauritius and its tiny offshore islands Gongylus is a small genus of Skinks The name of the genus was published in 1830 and is preoccupied by another genus Gongylus named in 1815 Classification Genus Graciliscincus Graciliscincus shonae Haackgreerius is a Genus of Skinks Classification Genus Haackgreerius Haackgreerius miopus The Earless Skinks form the Genus Hemiergis in the Skink family Scincidae Pink-tongued skinks are the Genus Hemisphaeriodon, which contains some of the largest members of the Skink family ( Scincidae Classification Genus Isopachys Isopachys anguinoides Isopachys borealis Isopachys Janetaescincus is a Genus of burrowing Skinks ( family Scincidae endemic to the Seychelles. Classification Genus Lacertaspis Classification Genus Lacertoides Lacertoides pardalis Classification The members of Genus Lacertus, more commonly known as eared Skinks, are a kind of lizard found in Somalia. Classification Genus Lamprolepis Lamprolepis leucosticta Lamprolepis nieuwenhuisi Lampropholis is a Genus of Skinks ( family Scincidae It belongs to a Clade with the genera Niveoscincus Classification Genus Lankascincus Lankascincus deignani Lankascincus deraniyagalae Classification Genus Larutia Larutia larutense Larutia miodactyla Larutia Leiolopisma is a Genus of Skinks Most Species occur in the region of New Caledonia - New Zealand, and they are related Classification Genus Leptoseps Leptoseps osellai Leptoseps poilani This Genus of Skink is found in West Africa. Classification Genus Leptosiaphos Leptosiaphos africana Lerista is a genus of Skink which are especially notable for the variation of the amount of limb reduction within their legs Classification Genus Lioscincus Lioscincus greeri Lioscincus maruia Lioscincus The lipinias ( Genus Lipinia) are Skinks ( family Scincidae They belong to the Sphenomorphus group of genera Classification Genus Lobulia Lobulia brongersmai Lobulia elegans Skinks are the most diverse group of Lizards They make the family Scincidae which shares the superfamily or infraorder Scincomorpha with several other Classification Genus Lygisaurus Lygisaurus aeratus Lygisaurus foliorum Lygisaurus Writhing skinks, Genus Lygosoma, are members of the Lizard family Scincidae. Mabuya is a Genus of long-tailed Skinks found through Southeast Asia, Africa, and The Americas. Macroscincus coctei, also called the Cape Verde Giant Skink Lagarto or Cocteau's Skink is a reptile that was at one time known to inhabit the (The desert aspect was not original A marmorosphax, is a vertebrate animal belonging to the order Squamata in the class Reptilia, of the phylum Classification Genus Melanoseps Melanoseps ater Melanoseps loveridgei Melanoseps The genus Menetia GRAY 1845 belongs to the family of Skinks ( Scincidae) Mesoscincus is a Genus comprising three Species of Skink native to Mexico and Central America. Classification Genus Mochlus Mochlus brevicaudis Mochlus fernandi Mochlus Classification Genus Morethia Morethia adelaidensis Morethia boulengeri Morethia Classification Genus Nangura Nangura spinosa Classification Genus Nannoscincus Nannoscincus exos Nannoscincus gracilis Nannoscincus There is only one species known of the genus Neoseps, the Neoseps reynoldsi, commonly known as the (Florida Sand Skink. Classification Genus Nessia Nessia bipes Nessia burtonii Nessia deraniyagalai Niveoscincus is a Genus of Skinks ( family Scincidae It belongs to a Clade with the genera Carlia, Notoscincus is a Genus of Skinks They are also known as Soil-crevice skinks or Snake-eyed skinks Junior synonym for genus Eumeces Oligosoma is a Genus of small to medium-sized Skinks ( family Scincidae Classification Genus Ophiomorus Ophiomorus blanfordi Ophiomorus brevipes Ophioscincus is a genus of Skink known to inhabit parts of Australia. Gardiner's Burrowing Skink ( Pamelaescincus gardineri) is the only Species of the Skink Genus Pamelaescincus Classification Genus Panaspis Panaspis africana Panaspis annobonensis Panaspis Classification Genus Papuascincus Papuascincus buergersi Papuascincus morokanus Classification Genus Parachalcides Parachalcides socotranus Paracontias is a Genus of Skinks ( family Scincidae It is usually placed in the Subfamily Scincinae which seems Classification Genus Paralipinia Paralipinia rara Classification Genus Parvoscincus Parvoscincus palawanensis Parvoscincus sisoni Classification Genus Phoboscincus Terror Skink (Phoboscincus bocourti Phoboscincus garnieri Plestiodon is the name for genus of American Lizards formerly referred to as Eumeces, except those now placed in Mesoscincus Prasinohaema ( Latin: "green blood" is a Genus of Skinks characterized by having green Blood. Classification Genus Proablepharus Proablepharus kinghorni Proablepharus naranjicaudus Classification Genus Proscelotes Proscelotes aenea Proscelotes arnoldi Proscelotes Classification Genus Pseudoacontias Pseudoacontias angelorum Pseudoacontias madagascariensis Pseudemoia is a genus of Skinks native to Australia. Classification Genus Pseudemoia Pseudemoia baudini Classification Genus Pygomeles Pygomeles braconnieri Pygomeles petteri Common names are Fire Skink or the true Fire Skink It is easy to tell the species apart from other Skinks by bright red coloring on their sides from which they get their name Ristella is a Genus of Skinks found in southern India. Description of the genus from G Saiphos is a Monotypic Genus of Skinks "Siaphos" tridigitus, initially placed here is now reassigned to the " Saproscincus is a Genus of Skinks native to Australia, sometimes referred to as shade skinks Classification Genus Scelotes Scelotes anguina Scelotes arenicola Scelotes bicolor Scincella is a Genus of Lizards in the Skink family, Scincidae, commonly referred to as Ground Skinks. The Scincopus are a genus of small Lizards commonly called skinks. Scincus is a Genus of Skinks ( family Scincidae All three species are typical desert inhabitants living in sandy and dune-like areas with Classification Genus Scolecoseps contains several species of Skinks a type of Lizard. Sepsina is a Genus of Skinks ( family Scincidae It is presently placed in the Subfamily Scincinae which seems to be Classification Genus Sigaloseps Sigaloseps deplanchei Sigaloseps ruficauda Description Classification Genus Simiscincus Simiscincus aurantiacus The Genus Sphenomorphus currently serves as a " Wastebin taxon " for a large number of Skinks While most or all species presently In Phylogenetics, a group of organisms is said to be paraphyletic if the group contains its most recent common ancestor but does not contain all Sphenops is a Genus of Skinks found in the Sahara region of Africa Tachygia is an Extinct Genus of Skink from Tonga. The type and only known species is T Blue-tongued skinks are the Genus Tiliqua, which contains some of the largest members of the Skink family (Scincidae Classification Genus Tribolonotus Tribolonotus annectens Tribolonotus blanchardi Classification Genus Tropidophorus Tropidophorus assamensis Tropidophorus baviensis Classification Genus Tropidoscincus Tropidoscincus aubrianus Tropidoscincus boreus Classification Genus Typhlacontias Typhlacontias brevipes Typhlacontias gracilis Typhlosaurus are one of a number of genera of Skink (family Scincidae) characterized by their lack of limbs Classification Genus Voeltzkowia Voeltzkowia fierinensis Voeltzkowia lineata Voeltzkowia Keeping Blue Tongued Skinks as Pets. Retrieved on 2006-08-27. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 479 BC - Greco-Persian Wars: Persian forces led by Mardonius are routed by Pausanias, the Spartan
- De Vosjoli, Philippe ((1993): Prehensile-Tailed Skinks. Advanced Vivarium Systems. ISBN 1-882770-24-2
External links
- Description of Skinks at the TIGR. TIGR, abbreviation for T rst ( Trieste) I stra ( Istria) G orica ( Gorizia) and R eka ( Rijeka) was
- The Five-lined Skink {broken link}
- The Lizards of Missouri
- Observations on Mating Behavior of the Solomon Island Skink
- Five-lined Skink - Eumeces fasciatus Species account from the Iowa Reptile and Amphibian Field Guide