Two-toed earless skink

Two-toed Earless Skink
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Reptilia
Order:Squamata
Family:Scincidae
Genus:Hemiergis
Species: H. quadrilineata
Binomial name
Hemiergis quadrilineata
(Duméril and Bibron, 1839)
Synonyms

Chelomeles quadrilineatus Duméril and Bibron, 1839
Lygosoma quadrilineatum (Duméril and Bibron, 1839)
Hemiergis quadrilineatum (Duméril and Bibron, 1839)

The two-toed earless skink (Hemiergis quadrilineata) is a common species of skink found in coastal south-western Australia.[2] It is characterised by its long tail, an absence of ear-holes, shiny skin, yellow underside and short weak limbs, each of which with only two toes. It can grow to be over 10 cm in length, however the average size is approximately 7.5 cm.[3] It also exhibits a snake-like movement, and due the small size and non-functionality of limbs in locomotion, it is often referred to as a legless lizard.

It typically inhabits bushland and scrub, however it is commonly found in Perth suburban backyards amongst leaves or under rocks.

References

  1. ↑ Maryan, B. & Shea, G.M. (2010). "Hemiergis quadrilineatum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2010: e.T178616A7581794. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
  2. ↑ A listing of Australian Skinks www.kingsnake.com 10 January 2001 (accessed 15 January 2007
  3. ↑ Ehmann, Harald (1992). Encyclopedia of Australian animals: Reptiles. Angus and Robertson. 495 pp
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