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Family SCINCIDAE This is the largest family of lizards, with at least 700 named species. They are truly cosmopolitan, distributed in the tropical, subtropical and temperate zones of all continents save Antarctica, plus many oceanic islands, New Zealand and Madagascar.
Eastern bluetongue skink, Tiliqua
scincoides, from Australia. Skinks range in size from diminutive 2-3 inch Lygosoma and Scincella to the 28-inch family giant Corucia zebrata of the Solomon Islands. The other giants are found in Australia and New Guinea (genus Tiliqua, the blue-tongue skinks). Most skinks have smooth, shiny scales underlain with bony osteoderms. A few Australian and New Guinea species, though, have hard, pointed scales. Most skinks can loose their tail and regrow a stiff replacement. A secondary palate is found in skinks, a unique trait among lizards. Autotomy (the ability to regenerate a lost tail) is generally present. The frontal bones are paired, except in the subfamily Feyliniidae. A great many of the smaller skink species have a juvenile phase with a bright blue or orange tail, which is apparently used as an antipredator distraction. Sometimes females retain this coloring, but males almost universally change to a more somber color.
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