Eumeces

E. algeriensis, Algerian Skink

E. blythianus

E. cholistanensis, Berber Skink

E. indothalensis, Algerian Skink

E. schneideri, Berber Skink

Scientific Name

Common Name

Distribution

Size

Notes

Eumeces

E. algeriensis

Algerian Skink

Morocco and Algeria

12-18"

Formerly considered a subspecies of E. schneideri, and like the latter is seen in the pet trade as a popular terrarium subject. However, it moves much slower than the Berber Skink. In the wild it dwells in areas with plant cover: grass, bush, dwarf palm steppe, ravines or quarries. It may be found together with C. polylepis under the same rock. This species likes to dig, even under short stones. It is not found above 1,400m, and populations tend not to be very dense. Captive lifespans of up to 20 years have been recorded. Diet consists of worms, molluscs, grasshoppers, beetles and occasionally fruit. Scalation details: 4-6 pairs of nuchals, of which 1st pair is not usually in contact behind interparietal: nasal contacts 1st labial only or also small portion of 2nd: 1st loreal higher than long, 2nd loreal equally long and high or slightly longer: 1st subocular larger than those following: subocular labials subequal to anterior labials and higher than wide: 1-2 primary temporal scales. Dorsal scales: 4-5 striations per scale: 28-34 midbody rows: 28-32 dorsal scales between axilla and groin, 64-74 from occipital to vent region. Ventral scales: 66-75 from mental to precloacal. Other: 11-14 subdigital lamellae under 4th toe. Coloration: overall brown with yellowish black-edged ocelli and large orange-red spots. There is a variation found around Oran of greyish-brown ground colour with a dorsal pattern of alternating transverse bars: 1 row of basic colour, 2 with scales spotted with dirty white, and 1 orange row. Specimens from SW Morocco may be light beige. Above 25-30 deg C the background colour and red spots become much lighter. Reproduction: males fight vigorously during the mating period. Females lay 3-20 eggs between rocks or in moist sand and watch over them for the 8-9 weeks before hatching.

E. blythianus

?

N & C Pakistan, E Afghanistan

6"

Regarded by some authorities (eg KSS) as a subspecies of E. schneideri: Boulenger noted that the species seemed “closely allied” to E. algeriensis and E. schneideri. Scalation details: differ from the latter two species in having a single postmental: 30 scale rows at midbody. Coloration: olive-brown above; 3 dark brown dorsal longitudinal lines from nape to base of tail; broader dark brown band from eye over tympanum, along the side; broad pale yellowish band below dark brown lateral band, from below eye to groin; lower surfaces yellowish.

E. cholistanensis

Cholistan Skink?

Pakistan (Punjab)

Described in 2009: see Reptile Database entry.

E. indothalensis

Pakistan (Punjab)

Described in 1997: see Reptile Database entry.

E. schneideri

Berber Skink/ Schneider's Skink/Gold Skink/ Orange-Tailed Skink

N Africa via Middle East and C Asia to Indian subcontinent

6"

Hardy skink that is a popular terrarium subject. In the wild it is tolerant of a wide range of humidities and is thus found in moist grass, herbaceous vegetation around oases, bush and Artemisia steppe, isolated sandy hills, dry cultivated land and semidesert. It makes long burrows between the roots of thorn-shrubs, and during the hottest part of the day will retire to its burrow. It is a fast runner, and if fleeing is not afraid to enter water. Diet consists of snails, spiders, hard Coleoptera and other insects and also smaller lizards: captive specimens are known to take cat food (sufficiently moistened) and overripe soft fruit (bananas and peaches). Males are very territorial. Scalation details: 1-2 pairs of nuchals, of which 1st pair may or may not contact interparietal: nasal contacts 2 anterior supralabials: 1st loreal much higher than long, 2nd loreal slightly or much longer than high: 1st & 2nd suboculars larger than those following: subocular labial larger than anterior labials and equally high and wide: 3-4 lobules on ear, of which the upper lobules are larger. Dorsal scales: smooth (no striations): 22-28 midbody rows: 24-26 dorsal scales between axilla and groin, of which the 2 middorsal scales are very broad: 61-63 from occipital to vent region. Ventral scales: 64-67 from mental to precloacal. Other: 14-18 subdigital lamellae under 4th toe, no intercalated scales on fingers and toes. Coloration: overall brownish or olive-grey, may have dorsal pattern of interspersed golden-yellow scales which form regular transverse stripes on the tail. There are 2 rows of irregular orange spots on the middorsal scale rows: these may persist into adulthood. A lateral yellow or orange stripe starts on the 6th labial, passes through the ear and runs above the limbs to end some distance along the tail. Ventral surfaces are yellowish-white. Above 30 deg C the background colour becomes much lighter, sometimes to the point of becoming whitish-grey. Juveniles have a much greater number of distinct ocelli: these fade with age. Reproduction: males fight vigorously during the mating period and also are aggressive towards would-be mates. Copulation may last up to 10 minutes. Females lay 3-20 eggs under cover in moist sand and coil around them for the 5-6 weeks before hatching.

E. s. schneideri

Cyprus

E. s. aldrovandii

N Africa and Sinai

See note in Reptile Database entry on this subspecies.

E. s. barani

Turkey (Anatolia)

See note in Reptile Database entry on this subspecies.

E. s. meridionalis

N Africa (C Morocco to SW Algeria)

Regarded as full species by some authorities, eg KSS (although they point out its unclear status). This subspecies is found in Hauts Plateaux and mountainous areas). Scalation: 1-2 pairs of nuchals, 1st pair separated by interparietal. Nasal in contact with 1st supralabial: 1st loreal much higher than long, 2nd loreal slightly longer than high: 27-28 scales around midtrunk, 60-62 median dorsals from occipital to vent. Coloration: considered identical to that of E. algeriensis. Other details presumably identical or similar to those of E. schneideri.

E. s. pavimentatus

Turkey (S Anatolia), Syria, Israel

Found at up to 1,800m altitude, in other words, higher than the North African subspecies. It prefers hilly areas with lime or loess soils that have vegetation or stone cover. Engelmann et al note that this a "Kulturfolger", ie will make its home in man-made areas such as vineyards, dry stone walls or ruins. Again, burrows are dug extensively. Hibernation lasts from end of September until the beginning of April. Males defend their territories vigorously. Diet is similar to that of other subspecies, but Engelmann et al also claims scorpions and soft fruit as items.  Coloration: similar to the other subspecies, but the orange or red lateral stripe is not developed in juveniles (this may also be true for the other subspecies): instead they have 8-10 rows of small white points on the back. The adults' lateral stripe also separates the darker dorsal area from the yellowish or white latero-ventral areas. Reproduction: 6-20 eggs are laid which take about 2 months to hatch.

E. s. princeps

Red-Marked Skink

Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, C Asia, Daghestan (W coast of Caspian Sea)

SVL 16½cm

Similarly to E. algeriensis, this species in Iran is not found above 1,400-1,500m. The lizards may use other animals' burrows or dig their own which are shallow and up to 40-100cm long. Scalation details: postnasal absent; palpebral scales separated from superciliaries; median preanal scales overlap outer; 2 azygous postmentals; nasal completely divided; plates on lower eyelid large, much higher than wide; ear with 3-4 acute lobules; 26-28 scale rows at midbody. Other: limbs overlap when adpressed. Coloration: dorsum nearly uniform brownish slate to lavender, with some scattered grey flecks, venter yellowish to yellowish-orange; indistinct narrow lateral stripe orange to red; duller orange-red flecks on upper part of tail; base of tail red in life, this coloration vanishing eventually in alcohol preservative. Reproduction: eggs not laid before end of July in Asian republics north of Iran. [SOURCE: Anderson]

E. s. zarudnyi

Zarudny's Skink

S Iran, SW Pakistan

SVL 12cm, TL 32cm; max. SVL (m, Iran) 11½cm

Scalation details: postnasal absent; palpebral scales separated from superciliaries; median preanal scales overlap outer; 2 azygous postmentals; nasal completely divided; ear with 5-6 acute lobules; 26-28 scale rows at midbody. Other: limbs overlap when adpressed. Coloration: dorsum blue- to lead-grey, venter porcelain white; light lateral stripe orange to red; duller orange-red flecks on upper part of tail; base of tail red in life, this coloration vanishing eventually in alcohol preservative. [SOURCE: Anderson]