REPTILIA: SQUAMATA: SCINCIDAE: Ctenotus

Ctenotus schomburgkii (Peters, 1863)

No common name

Text by Gerry Swan and Dr. Robert Sprackland; photo by Dr. Sprackland.

Range: Widely distributed throughout the arid southern regions of Australia, with an isolated population north of the Kimberlies, Western Australia.

Diagnosis: A bronze-brown lizard with a thick black lateral stripe inside of which are numerous bronze spots in a straight line. The belly is white and unmarked. The snout is acute, with tan lips and large labial scales.

Description: This is a small (to 45 mm/ 1.75 inches), shiny-scaled, sharp-snouted lizard with a brown back marked with thin black striations, and two black lateral stripes with round bronze markings (the lower of which is thinner than the upper). The black stripes are separated by a white stripe lacking markings. The tail is brown to bronze in color. The canthus rostralis is acute and dark brown. The lips are tan, and the labial scales large. Moveable eyelids and ear openings are present. Four pentadactyl limbs present. 24-30 midbody scale rows. The scales have weak keels.

Natural History: These skinks are common in places where there is protective vegetation, such as Triodia bushes. They burrow under bushes and actively forage for insects on the open sand regions nearby.

Reproduction:

Taxonomy & Relationships:

Variation:

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Type Specimen:

 Literature:   Click on book to order a copy

Cogger, Harold. 1995. Reptiles and amphibians of Australia. 5th edition. Ralph Curtis Books. ISBN: 0-8014-2739-8.

Ehmann, Harald. 1992. Encyclopedia of Australian animals: Reptiles. Angus & Robertson. ISBN: 0-207-17379-6.

Greer, Allen. 1989. The biology & evolution of Australian lizards. Surrey Beatty & Sons. ISBN: 0-949324-21-3.

Hoser, Raymond. 1989. Australian reptiles & frogs. Pierson & Co. ISBN: 0-947068-08-2. 

Swan, Gerry. 1995. A Photographic Guide to Snakes & Other Reptiles of Australia. Ralph Curtis Books, Sanibel Island, FL. ISBN: 0-88359-033-6.