Euprepis

QUICK INDEX

E. acutilabris, Wedge-Snouted Skink

E. affinis

E. albilabris, White-Lipped Skink

E. angolensis,

E. aurata

E. aureopunctata,

E. bayonii, Bayon's Skink

E. bensonii,

E. betsileana

E. binotata, Ovambo Tree Skink

E. bocagii

E. boettgeri

E. boulengeri, Boulenger's Skink

E. brauni, Ukinga Mountain Skink

E. brevicollis, Short-Necked Skink

E. breviparietalis

E. buettneri

E. capensis, Cape Skink

E. chimbana, Chimba Skink

E. comorensis, Comores Island Skink

E. depressa, Eastern Coastal Skink

E. dumasi

E. elegans

E. ferrarai

E. gravenhorstii, Madagascar Jungle Skink

E. hemmingi

E. hildae

E. hildebrandtii

E. hoeschi, Hoesch's Skink

E. homalocephala, Red-Sided Skink

E. infralineata

E. irregularis, Alpine-Meadow Skink

E. ivensii

E. lacertiformes, Bronze Rock Skink

E. laevis, Angolan Blue-Tailed Skink

E. lavarambo

E. maculilabris, Speckle-Lipped Skink

E. madagascariensis

E. margaretifera, Five-Lined/Rainbow Skink

E. megalura, Grass-Top/Long-Tailed Skink

E. mekuana

E. nancycoutuae, Nancy Coutu's Skink

E. occidentalis, Western Three-Striped Skink

E. pendeana

E. perrotetii, Fire-Sided Skink

E. planifrons, Tree Skink

E. polytropis

E. quinquetaeniata, Five-Lined Skink

E. rodenburgi

E. seychellensis

E. socotrana

E. spilogaster, Kalahari Tree Skink

E. striata, Striped Skink

E. sulcata, Western Rock Skink

E. tandrefana

E. tavaratra

E. tessellata

E. varia, Variable Skink

E. variegata, Variegated Skink

E. vato

E. vezo

E. vittata, Bridled Skink

E. volamenaloha

E. wingati

E. wrightii

Scientific Name

Common Name

Distribution

Size

Notes

Euprepis

E. acutilabris

Wedge-Snouted Skink

S Africa (Little Namaqualand), S Namibia, S Angola, Congo

?"

Small skink distinguished by flattened snout and sharp edge to upper lip [Branch]. It lives in sandy areas where it digs short burrows at the base of vegetation. Juveniles raise their tails, possibly as a signal to other lizards. Scalation details (from Branch): subocular narrow at bottom, does not touch lip. Dorsal scales: three keeled, in 28-32 rows at midbody. Other: ear openings have long sharp lobules. Scales on soles are keeled, and those under the long toes have a single keel. Coloration: dorsally light brown with dark brown or black spots and white flecks that form short bands. Usually a pale dorsal stripe and one (sometimes two) distinct pale stripes on each side. Flanks may be barred in black. Reproduction: no details yet available. SOURCE: Branch. B I

E. affinis

??

W Africa

?"

??.B I

E. albilabris

White-Lipped Skink

W Africa

6½-7½ cm SVL

Hoogmoed describes this as a medium-sized skink with well-developed limbs which is normally found on the cocoa forest floor. Scalation details (from Hoogmoed): pair of nuchals present, supranasals usually separated, prefrontals form a suture in most individuals. Rostral pentagonal, pair of supranasals usually narrowly separated by rostral and frontonasal, occasionally form a suture: 1 scale between 4th supraocular and anterior supratemporal. Posterior supratemporal larger than anterior one. 4 supraoculars, 5-8 (usually 6-7) supraciliaries. Anterior edge of ear opening has 2-3 small rounded lobules. Dorsal scales: tricarinate, in 27-32 rows at midbody. Other: subdigital lamellae under 4th toe 14-18 (usually 15-16), subdigital lamellae under 4th finger 11-15 (usually 11 or 12). Coloration: dorsally brown, laterally dark brown, may be bordered ventrally by a narrow white line. Ventrally greenish-white, adults have a light spot on the side of the neck. Reproduction: males have black spots on the throat. .B I

E. angolensis

??

Angola

?"

?? B I

E. aurata

??

Greece (Aegean Islands, Samos), Turkey, Caucasus, Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Ehthiopia, Eritrea, C Asia, poss. Pakistan

?"

Closely related to E. dissimilis, except that the latter is oviparous while E. aurata is viviparous: see EMBL database entry. B I

E. a. aurata

E. a. septemtaeniata

S Iran, Iraq, NE Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman Eritrea

Now considered a full species. 

E. aureopunctata

??

Madagascar

?"

?? B I

E. bayonii

Bayon's Skink

Kenya, N Tanzania, Congo, Angola

6-7"

Poorly known species living in high grassland and alpine moorland, at least in the E African part of its range. Terrestrial and diurnal: SHDA suggest that individuals at high altitudes move deep inside grass clumps at night to prevent freezing. Insectivorous. Scalation details (from SHKDA): Dorsal scales: tricarinate (having 3 keels), in 34-36 rows at midbody. Other: ear openings have 2-4 large lobules. Scales on soles of feet are non-spiny. Coloration: dorsally various shades of brown. Thin white or yellow lateral stripe runs from upper lip to level of hindlimbs and a dorsolateral white stripe from the nape to the level of the hindlimb. Back often marked with fine irregular black longitudinal lines. Ventrally white or cream. Reproduction: egg layer. SOURCE: SHDA. B I

E. b. bayonii

Angola

?"

B I

E. b. keniensis

Kenya, N Tanzania, Congo, Angola

?"

?? B I

E. bensonii

??

W Africa (Liberia & Sierra Leone)

?"

?? B I

E. betsileana

??

Madagascar

?"

May be based on E. perrotetii as this species has not been seen on Madagascar for about 100 years: see EMBL reptile database entry for more details. B I

E. binotata

Ovambo Tree Skink

N Namibia & S Angola

?"

Large and stout but shy skink found in arid savannah where it usually dwells in the hollow trunks of mopane trees or sometimes in rock cracks. Primary prey is beetles and grasshoppers. Scalation details (from Branch): subocular narrow at bottom, does not touch lip. Dorsal scales: three keeled, in 28-32 rows at midbody. Other: ear openings partially covered by 3 lobules. Lower eyelid has transparent window. Scales on soles are tubercular, and those under the long toes are smooth. Coloration: dorsally uniform olive grey with tint of buff. Usually a pale dorsal stripe and one (sometimes two) distinct pale stripes on each side. Reproduction: no details yet available. B I

E. bocagii

??

Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, poss. Tanzania

?"

?? B I

E. boettgeri

??

Madagascar

?"

?? B I

E. boulengeri

Boulenger's Skink

Mozambique, Tanzania, E Zimbabwe

6-12"

Long slender skink with long tail amounting to 2/3 the total body length. SHDA note that it is widespread and adapts well to agriculture. It is found in low-altitude savanna and coastal woodland from sea level to about 1500m. In the north of its range it is arboreal (found especially on coconut palms), but in the south tends to be more terrestrial. Reeds alongside streams and long grass are also favoured habitats where it may also sleep: SHDA also observe it may sometimes bask on thatched roofs and road verges. Diet is insects and spiders. Scalation details (from SHDA and Branch): 4 supraciliaries. Dorsal scales: smooth and shiny but bearing multiple keels (usually 7-9, but from 3 to 11), in 28-32 rows at midbody. Coloration: dorsally brown or grey-brown, sometimes with scattered black flecks. A black streak extends from the eye to the ear. Ventrally yellow, sometimes with black speckling. Reproduction: no details yet available. SOURCE: SHDA, Branch. B I

E. brauni

Ukinga Mountain Skink

S Tanzania and N Malawi

4-6"

Another poorly-known skink. Body shape robust and cylindrical, tail about 60% of TL. Dwells at high altitudes (above 2200m). Scalation details (from SHDA): Dorsal scales: bicarinate (having 2 keels), in 38 rows at midbody. Other: ear openings have 2-4 large lobules. Scales on soles of feet are non-spiny. Coloration: dorsally dark brown with a pale vertebral and dorsolateral stripe. Multitude of small pale spots on back and sides. Ventrally white, sometimes with black speckling. Reproduction: no details yet available. SOURCE: SHDA. B I

E. brevicollis

Short-Necked Skink

Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Yeman, Oman, E & C Kenya, Tanzania, E Uganda

7-12"

Cylindrical-bodied skink. Despite its common name, it is not the neck of the skink that is short, but rather the head. It is found in low-altitude most and dry savanna, woodland, semi-desert and coastal thicket, in E Africa from sea level to approx 1,500m. Although mainly terrestrial, it also climbs rocks and fallen trees, and in at least one place has been observed basking on rocks by paths. Nevertheless it is quite wary. Its choice of dwelling places is quite catholic and apart from the normal holes and refuges under fallen logs, etc, has also been observed in squirrel warrens and termite mounds. It lives in large groups which may be colonies. Diet is larger arthropods, and there is at least one record of a mouse being eaten. Scalation: dorsal scales usually have 2 keels, the lateral scales 3. Subocular reaches lip and is not narrowed below. Dorsal scalation: 30-34 rows at midbody. Other: eyes are large and prominent; scales of soles smooth, some with 1-2 terminal spines; subdigital lamellae are keeled; tail is stout at base and forms about 50% of SVL. Coloration: varied, but seems to follow 3 stages. Hatchlings are black with bright yellow barring on the forward flanks. This then becomes clusters of crossbars of fine yellow dots., and then brown or grey, dark brown with light crossbars, or light brown with dark crossbars. Adult males are usually brown with irregular dark specks or crossbars that may be light or heavy, sometimes with a poorly defined light dorsolateral stripe, sometimes simply overall brown. Adult females usually have distinctive black and brown longitudinal stripes, with sometimes a vivid white speckling on the front half of the body. Ventral colouring is uniformly paler. SHDA notes that there is a unique population on the west side of Mt Meru in N Tanzania that has prominent black vertical stripes. Laurent gave the coloration of Somali specimens as follows: 12 transverse rows of 2-10 light spots on dorsum. Reproduction: little data available, but Ethiopian specimens are known to give live birth, and in E Kenya hatchlings have been recorded in April. SOURCE: SHDA. B I

E. breviparietalis

??

W Africa

?"

?? B I

E. buettneri

??

W Africa (Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, N Dem. Rep. Congo, Central African Republic, Cameroon)

?"

Slender-bodied skink, mainly arboreal but also encountered on the ground [Hoogmoed]. Habitat in Ivory Coast consists of open savannah alternating with patches of dry savanna and patches of gallery forest: another writer (Schmidt) described the species as living on the branches of stunted bushes in plantations and cleared patches in brush. In parts of its habitat in Lamto, Ivory Coast, the population is heavily ravaged by forest fires but the eggs laid beforehand manage to hatch out after the conflagration. Scalation details (from Hoogmoed): pair of nuchals present, supranasals usually separated, prefrontals form a suture. Rostral pentagonal, pair of supranasals usually narrowly separated by rostral and frontonasal, occasionally form a suture: 2 scales between 4th supraocular and anterior supratemporal. Posterior supratemporal larger than anterior one. 4 supraoculars, of which 1st smallest, 2nd largest, 4-6 (usually 5) supraciliaries, 2 supratemporals. Anterior edge of ear opening has 2-4 (usually 3) pointed to rounded lobules. Dorsal scales: tricarinate, in 26 (sometimes 28) rows at midbody, 50-56 transverse rows between nuchals and tail base. Ventral scales: smooth, 53-61 scales between 1st pair of chin-shields and preanals. Other: subdigital lamellae under 4th toe 15-19 (usually 16-17), subdigital lamellae under 4th finger 11-15 (usually 11-14). Coloration: dorsally olive- to light-brown with large dark-brown spots arranged in longitudinal rows. Narrow white line edged above and below by narrow dark brown lines runs from upper lip to just before the groin. Ventrally yellowish-white, lower surface of tail may be greyish. Reproduction: eggs are laid in October-December. SOURCE: Hoogmoed.B I

E. capensis

Cape Skink

Southern Africa

7-10"

Very common skink throughout most of southern Africa except in Namib, lowveld and the northern deserts. This is partly explained by its adaptability to various habitats including veld, bush and grassland (see Branch). It is also found in private gardens, but unfortunately there often falls victim to domestic cats. In build it is large and quite stocky: Branch says it often appears to be obese. It digs tunnel in loose soil at the base of boulders or bushes but can also be found in dead trees and fallen aloe stems. It apparently becomes quite tame. Diet is large insects. Scalation details (from Branch): subocular reaches upper lip. Dorsal scales: dorsal and lateral scales bear 3 keels, most noticeably on the back. 32-36 rows at midbody. Other: crescent-shaped ear openings have small lobes; large window in lower eyelids: scales with feeble spines on soles of feet; keel on lamellae beneath toes: 15-20 lamellae under 4th toe. Coloration: light- to olive-greyish brown with 3 paler dorsal longitudinal stripes (1 vertebral, 2 dorsolateral): a series of dark brown to black spots traverse the back and extend onto the flanks: these may be joined up to form transverse bars. Ventrally yellowish white to grey. A few individuals may be dorsally grey-brown with or without the pale stripes. Reproduction: most females give birth to 5-18 babies in late summer, but a few populations lay eggs instead. SOURCE: Branch. B I

E. chimbana

Chimba Skink

SW Angola & N Namibia

4-6?"

Small slender skink which is apparently not well-known: it resembles E. variegata and is saxicolous, favoured habitat being granite outcrops in areas of mixed mesic savannah [Branch]. Scalation details (from Branch): subocular reaches upper lip. Dorsal scales: dorsal and lateral scales bear 5-7 keels in 34-40 rows at midbody. Other: ear openings have lobes; window in lower eyelids: spiny scales on soles of feet; keel on lamellae beneath toes. Coloration: dorsally bronze to olive-brown with a paler dorsolateral stripe that is more visible on the tail: scales may sometimes have dark flecks: flanks have black and white mottling. Ventrally white. Reproduction: no details available. SOURCE: Branch. B I

E. comorensis

Comores Island Skink

Madagascar and Comoro Islands

?"

Formerly considered a subspecies of E. margaretifera. B I

E. depressa

Eastern Coastal Skink

RSA (coastal regions of KwaZulu, Limpopo, NE Kruger National Park), SE Zimbabwe, C Mozambique

6-7?"

This is a somewhat flattened skink: Branch describes it as "elegant". It lives in coastal thicket on sandy soil, and although mainly terrestrial, will climb onto trunks and into foliage. It buries itself in loose soil at night or if disturbed. Scalation details (from Branch): subocular reaches upper lip but is not narrowed below: frontonasals in contact. Dorsal scales: dorsal and lateral scales bear 5-7 faint keels. Other: ear openings partially covered by 2-3 lobes each; small window in lower eyelids: tubercular scales on soles of feet; smooth scales beneath toes. Coloration: dorsally either plain grey-brown to red-brown or may have scattered black spots or tips of scales are dark and form narrow stripes longitudinally. Dark lateral band (often broken by flecks) stretches from eye to groin. It is bordered below by a yellow stripe which begins on the lip, and which in turn is bordered by another dark stripe. Ventrally lemon-yellow. Reproduction: lays up to 7 eggs in early summer. SOURCE: Branch. B I

E. dumasi

??

Madagascar

?"

?? B I

E. elegans

??

Madagascar

?"

?? B I

E. e. elegans

??

?"

??

E. e. delphinensis

??

?"

??

E. ferrarai

??

S Somalia

?"

Restricted to coastal areas. B I

E. gravenhorstii

Madagascar Jungle Skink

Madagascar

?"

?? B I

E. hemmingi

??

Somalia

16-20cm?

Mid-sized stocky species with short limbs and toes. Laurent considered its closest relative to be E. brevicollis, from which it differs in havnig smooth soles and smooth subdigital lamellae. Scalation details: nostril dorsolaterally situated behind rostrolabial suture; supranasals in contact behind rostral; postnasal present, contacts 2nd labial; frontonasal broader than long, briefly contacts frontal; frontal slightly longer than frontoparietals and interparietals together; 4 supraoculars, of which 2nd longest; 4 superciliaries, of which 2nd longest; frontoparietals shorter than interparietal; parietals entirely separated; 1 pair perfectly smooth nuchals; subocular long, not narrowed below, between 4th and 5th labials. Dorsal scalation: dorsals smoth, lightly tricarinated on the hind part of the back. Other: scales on soles tubercular, rounded: subdigital lamellae smooth, some have a very blunt keel, 13-14 beneath 4th toe. Coloration: dorsally overall light brown with 6 longitudinal rows of darker spots: ventrally whitish. [SOURCE: Gans, Laurent and Pandit]. B I

E. hildae

??

Malawi

?"

?? B I

E. hildebrandtii

??

Somalia, Ethiopia

?"

A common lizard of the coastal region along the ocean: Laurent noted that it did not seem to range more than a few miles from the beach. It was found in the open or beneath rock cairns. B I

E. hoeschi

Hoesch's Skink

N Namibia to S Angola

6-12"

Slender skink that lives among rock outcrops and boulders. Its diet consists of wasps, beetles and moths. Scalation: subocular reaches upper lip. Dorsal scalation: 2-3 weak keels: 32 rows at midbody. Other: distinct ear lobes: window in lower eyelids: smooth scales on soles of feet: tail about twice SVL. Coloration: dorsally brown-grey with 4 rows of dark brown blotches which form transverse bands. There is a pale lateral stripe. Ventrally white with yellowish throat. Reproduction: no data available. SOURCE: Branch. B I

E. homalocephala

Red-Sided Skink

S Africa (S & E Cape coastal regions plus relict pop'ns on Cape and Mpumalanga escarpment mtns as far north as Wolkberg, N Province: a Little Namaqualand record may be erroneous)

5-6?"

Medium-sized, "elegant" skink [Branch]. Mainly terrestrial, it forages in leaf litter. In inland areas they like to bask on rounded boulders beside dry riverbeds. Nevertheless they are very wary and difficult to approach. They are usually found in moist habitat, mainly coastal bushy fynbos or riverine vegetation in montane grassland. Scalation: subocular reaches lip but is not narrowed below. Dorsal scalation: 3 strong keels, 28-30 rows at midbody. Other: limbs shortish; scales on soles tubercular, those under long toes are smooth. Ear openings partially covered with 2-3 lobes each. Small transparent window in lower eyelid. Coloration: sexually dichromatic. Dorsally olive, olive-brown or pale-brown, bordered by first a pale dorsolateral stripe and then a dark-brown to black lateral band, which is itself bordered by a conspicuous pale lateral stripe. This latter becomes suffused with bright red in breeding males. The belly is likewise reddish in breeding males, otherwise yellowish to blue-white. Reproduction: in November-December females lay up to 10 eggs in a small chamber dug under a boulder or dead log. SOURCE: Branch. B I

E. infralineata

??

Madagascar (Europa Island)

?"

Formerly considered a subspecies of E. comorensis. B I

E. irregularis

Alpine-Meadow Skink

Uganda, Kenya

Avg. 15-18cm (max. 22-24 cm)

Heavily-built but secretive and uncommon member of the genus, found in high-altitude moorland at 3,000m or above: known only from East African montane grassland, where the habitat freezes at night: hence the lizard basks 9-10am, hunts until 3-4pm or until the sky clouds over, and then retires to shelter. As specimens have been found beneath rocks, SHDA suggest that it is likely the species can "supercool". Diet consists of insects and other arthropods. This is an attractive skink, but keeping it in captivity would represent problems due to the daily range of temperatures experienced (as is the case with such Andean species as Liolaemus) so in view of the restricted location of E. irregularis, is best left to experts and specialists. Scalation details: dorsal scales have 2-5 keels, in 31-34 rows at midbody. Coloration: dorsally dark brown or black with a fine yellow double stripe running down the vertebrae and a fine yellow single dorsolateral stripe, with the area between the stripes speckled finely in yellow. Speckling on flanks changes from yellow to white or pink. Head is speckled tan and black with black-edged supralabials. Ventrally pink, white or whitish-blue, sometimes with irregular black stripes: soles of the feet and the anal plate are pink. Reproduction: SHDA suggest live birth possible at this altitude. SOURCE: SHDA B I

E. ivensii

??

Angola, NW Zambia, SE Congo

?"

?? B I

E. lacertiformis

Bronze Rock Skink

E Zimbabwe, SW Angola, S Lake Malawi, Mozambique

?"

?? B I

E. laevis

Angolan Blue-Tailed Skink

NW Nambia, S Angola

?"

Distributed in the Kaokoveld. Extremely flattened body, hides in narrow rocky crevices [Grzimek]. B I

E. lavarambo

??

Madagascar (Nosy Be)

7-8"

Long-tailed species of the Malagasy aureopunctata group. Known (in 1998) only from 3 species collected from the Lokobe Reserve. Scalation details: 1 postnasal on each side: 4 supraoculars, of which 2nd greatly enlarged: 1 rectangular subocular scale (the 5th supralabial): 1-2 small elongate scales projecting from anterodorsal border of ear opening: Dorsal scalation: 5 strong keels, 28-30 rows at midbody. Other: lower eyelid undivided, with small transparent disk: scales of soles aspinous, subdigital scales acarinate: original tail about 2½x SVL. Coloration: overall brown? brown middorsal band about 4 scale rows wide flanked by longitudinal dorsolateral lighter stripes: ventrally white with dark longitudinal rows between scale rows: tail grey dorsally, lighter below. Reproduction: holotype had 3 developing ova in each ovary. B I

E. maculilabris

Speckle-Lipped Skink

W, C and E Africa

6-8" (max 10")

Largeish and long-tailed (60-70% of total length) skink. Widely distributed species. Information is given in the section for M. m. maculilabris, since this is the most widely distributed subspecies. B I

E. m. maculilabris

Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Dem. Rep. Congo, Angola, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Sao Tomé and Principe, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Somalia, Indian Ocean (Comoro and Europa islands)

Hoogmoed collected this lizard from 8am to 3pm and had no doubts that it was active from sunrise to sunset. In the wild it is restricted to forest areas, but many specimens were also collected near or in human habitation (gardens, porches and houses). SHDA note that it is arboreal and an expert climber, partly using its tail, not only on trees (where it can mount even thin twigs) but also on buildings, walls, roofs and outcrops: at the coast it is often on coconut palms. At night sleeping places may include leaf clusters, cracks and holes in trees and under palm fronds. Diet consists of insects, other arthropods and snails. Scalation details (from Hoogmoed): pair of nuchals present, supranasals usually separated, prefrontals usually form a suture. Rostral pentagonal, pair of supranasals usually narrowly separated by rostral and frontonasal, occasionally form a suture: 2 scales between 4th supraocular and anterior supratemporal. Posterior supratemporal larger than anterior one. 4 supraoculars, of which 1st smallest, 2nd largest, 4-7 (usually 5) supraciliaries, in direct contact with supraoculars, 2 supratemporals. Anterior edge of ear opening has 2-5 (usually 3-4) small pointed asymmetrical lobules. Dorsal scales: 5-7 keels in adults, in 26 (sometimes 28) rows at midbody, 50-56 transverse rows between nuchals and tail base. Ventral scales: smooth, 53-61 scales between 1st pair of chin-shields and preanals. Other: subdigital lamellae under 4th toe 16-20 (usually 17-19), subdigital lamellae under 4th finger 12-17 (usually 14-16). Coloration: variable according to location. Hoogmoed's specimens from W Africa were dorsally light brown, dark-brown spots may be present. Dorsolateral line of white spots runs from superciliaries to somewhere between front and hind limbs. A white line runs from the 2nd loreal under the eye and ear opening and over the insertion of the forelimb to the flank where it terminates. There is a white rim along the upper eyelid, while the lower is centrally a shade of grey but white near the corners of the eye. Laterally dark brown. Ventrally white, adult specimens may have irregularly arranged tiny brown spots on the throat. SHDA record that specimens from Uganda and around Lake Victoria may have a broad dull red or orange flank stripe, while occasional individuals may have dark vertical flank bars: the orange stripe in animals from the Albertine Rift (the western arm of the Great Rift Valley) only reaches halfway to the hindlimbs. The lips are speckled in white (hence the Latin name). Reproduction: oviparous: Hoogmoed describes finding recent hatchlings in Ghana in early May and in Cameroon at the end of January. Clutches consist of 6-8 eggs, 5-6 clutches being laid per year. SHDA note that in Central Africa at least there appears to be no fixed breeding season. SOURCE: SHDA and Hoogmoed.B I  

E. m. albotaeniata

Tanzania (Pemba Island and adj. Mesale Islands)

Distinguished by a broad white flank stripe. 

E. m. casuarinae

Mozambique (Casuarinae Island in the Primeiras group off N coast)

See EMBL database listing for remarks on this species. 

E. madagascariensis

??

Madagascar

?"

?? B I

E. margaretifera

Five-Lined/ Rainbow Skink

RSA (KwaZulu- Natal) to S Malawi: isolated populations in C & SE Tanzania and S Kenya

12" (av. 22 -28cm)

Large, attractive and active lizard. It is very much a rock-dweller, preferring igneus and metamorphic rocks such as granite, schist, gneiss, paragneiss and some sandstones [Branch, SHDA]. The species is found in mesic and arid savannah from sea level up to altitudes of about 1,500m. Although preying mainly on insects and other arthropods, it is also known to take smaller lizards. This is a very territorial species, with large adult males being dominant and not tolerating other males, although they do not attack young males or females that retain the juvenile colour pattern. Scalation: subocular reaches lip but is not narrowed below. Dorsal scalation: 3 strong keel in 42-44 [Branch, re S African specimens] or 38-52 [SHDA, re E African specimens] at midbody. Other: limbs relatively long; small window in lower eyelid; oval ear opening with 2-5 lobes; scales on sole tubercular, those under long toe smooth; short head; tail about 60% of total length. Coloration: dependent on sex and age. Juveniles and subadult males are dark olive-brown to black above, with 3 distinct bluish-white [Branch re S African specimens] or cream, ivory or yellow [SHDA re E African specimens] stripes that become bright electric-blue on the tail. Adult females retain this pattern but the stripes may fade and become subdivided. Adult males become dorsally buff-olive to olive-brown with each scale bearing a pearl-white spot: the pale stripes become indistinct and the tail changes from yellowish to orange-brown [Branch]. According to SHDA, E African adult males have 3 large black blotches on each side of the neck, with those at the lower end sometimes being reddish, and the tail becomes a dull olive-brown. SHDA also describe the legs as being greenish with black vermiculations, and the chin and throat lilac with white speckling. Reproduction: males approach possibly receptive females and bob the head and neck in a horizontal movement [SHDA]. Females lay 6-10 eggs [Branch] or 3-10 [SHDA] in summer. Incubation time in S Africa is 61-62 days. hatchlings are about 7-8cm in length. Branch suggests that there may be 2 clutches per season, especially in more northerly populations. SOURCE: Branch, SHDA. B I

E. megalura

Grass-Top Skink/ Long-Tailed Skink

E & C Africa

?"

?? B I

E. mekuana

??

Cameroon

?"

?? B I

E. nancycoutuae

Nancy Coutu's Skink

SC Madagascar (Isalo National Park)

4½cm [SVL]

Similar in appearance and habitat to E. vato but smaller. The name is derived from an American Peace Corps volunteer who helped to collect the holotype of the species and was later murdered. The species occupies a fairly small range that may be confined to the plateau where it was found. Its skin (and that of E. vato) is fairly fragile, possibly an antipredator mechanism. The specimens on which this species is based were taken on a rocky hill where the original vegetation had been burned off to be replaced by grassland and a few trees. Scalation details [from Nussbaum and Raxworthy, 1998: 2 specimens]: rostral has rounded middorsal projection: frontonasal narrowly contacts rostral anteriorly and frontal posteriorly: prefrontal contacts both loreals, of which 2nd is largest: frontal longer than wide, contacts 1st three supraoculars laterally and both frontoparietals posteriorly: subocular rectangular, indicating membership of the "E. aureopunctata" group of Malagasy Mabuya, rather than the "E. elegans" group, all of which have trapezoid suboculars: 4 supraoculars, 5 superciliaries: 4 supralabials anterior to subocular, 2 posterior to it: 7 infralabials: lower ciliaries 12-13, of which 4 on each side border palpebral window. Dorsal scalation: middorsal scales have 5 keels: 34 scale rows at midbody. Other: dorsolateral scales keeled, whereas ventral scales are not: digits lack ventral keeling: palpebral window present: ear has 2 small anterior lobes: body slightly depressed. Coloration: anterior is overall black with white dorsal markings consisting of seven broken white lines and a few coppery spots (the photograph of the living specimen in Nussbaum & Raxworthy shows that this coloration extends backwards just beyond the forelimbs), posterior is dorsally copper to coppery brown. Ventrally mainly whitish grey: distal part of tail is ventrally white: anterior neck and sides of throat have longitudinal black lines between scale rows. Reproduction: no details available. B I

E. occidentalis

Western Three-Striped Skink

RSA (Cape area, inc. western valleys of the Little Karoo), Namibia, SW Botswana, S Angola

?"

A terrestrial inhabitant of open sandy veld. In appearance it is similar to E. capensis, but less obese [Branch]. For shelter it digs a burrow in loose soil at the base of scrub bush. In winter it hibernates. Scalation: 30-32 rows at midbody: smooth scales on flanks: 2-3 enlarged ear lobes: 21-24 lamellae under 4th toes. Coloration: dorsally red- to olive-brown with 3 pale dark-edged stripes. Flanks are darker but broken by a longitudinal white stripe running from lip to groin. Belly is white. Reproduction: few details: Branch suggests that data from collected specimens implies that differing populations are either egg-layers or live-bearers. B I

E. pendeana

??

NW Central African Republic

?"

?? B I

E. perrotetii

Fire-Sided Skink

W Africa as far east as Uganda and Mali

?"

Hoogmoed collected this lizard from 8am to 3pm and had no doubts that it was active from sunrise to sunset. Scalation details (from Hoogmoed): pair of nuchals present, supranasals usually separated, prefrontals usually form a suture. Rostral pentagonal, pair of supranasals usually narrowly separated by rostral and frontonasal, occasionally form a suture: 2 scales between 4th supraocular and anterior supratemporal. Posterior supratemporal larger than anterior one. 4 supraoculars, of which 1st smallest, 2nd largest, 4-7 (usually 5) supraciliaries, in direct contact with supraoculars, 2 supratemporals. Anterior edge of ear opening has 2-5 (usually 3-4) small pointed asymmetrical lobules. Dorsal scales: 5-7 keels in adults, in 26 (sometimes 28) rows at midbody, 50-56 transverse rows between nuchals and tail base. Ventral scales: smooth, 53-61 scales between 1st pair of chin-shields and preanals. Other: subdigital lamellae under 4th toe 16-20 (usually 17-19), subdigital lamellae under 4th finger 12-17 (usually 14-16). Coloration: dorsally light brown, dark-brown spots may be present. Dorsolateral line of white spots runs from superciliaries to somewhere between front and hind limbs. A white line runs from the 2nd loreal under the eye and ear opening and over the insertion of the forelimb to the flank where it terminates. There is a white rim along the upper eyelid, while the lower is centrally a shade of grey but white near the corners of the eye. Laterally dark brown. Ventrally white, adult specimens may have irregularly arranged tiny brown spots on the throat. Reproduction: oviparous: Hoogmoed describes finding recent hatchlings in Ghana in early May and in Cameroon at the end of January. SOURCE: Hoogmoed.B I

E. planifrons

Tree Skink

Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, S Dem. Rep. Congo, N Zambia

?"

Laurent noted in 1965 that most Somali specimens were taken from the trunks of tall trees at heights of up to 8m. B I

E. polytropis

??

W Africa

SVL 70-83 mm, tail 1.8-2 x SVL

Robust skink with well-developed limbs and moderately long tail. The details given here are from Hoogmoed and were originally for what he believed to be a new subspecies, E. p. occidentalis. He believed it to be restricted to rainforest. Some of his specimens were found on the forest floor between leaves but most were on the baseof trees on buttresses up to 4-5m high. He did not find any in cocoafarms and attributed this to the vegetation not being dense enough. Specimens were captured between 9.30 and 4.45 in the day and were observed basking several times. Scalation details: 1 pair of transversely enlarged nuchals, 3-4 times as wide as long: supranasals separated; prefrontals may or may not be separated; 2 scales between 4th supraocular and anterior supratemporal; frontal usually contacts 2nd & 3rd supraoculars, sometimes 1st to 3rd, sometimes just 2nd; posterior border keeled (up to 16 keels); 6-8 superciliaries. Dorsal scalation: 30-32 rows at midbody, 45-51 dorsal transverse rows. Ventral scalation: 50-57 ventral transverse rows. Other: anterior of ear opening has 2-5 (usually 3) projecting lobules; 15-17 subdigital lamellae under 4th toe, 11-15 under 4th finger; scales have 3 keels in juveniles, usually 7 but up to 10 in adults. Coloration: dorsally olive-brown with dark brown, wavy and indistinct obliquely transverse bands; dorsolateral series of white black-edged spots; continuous dark brown band on flanks from eye or neck to groin, usually more distinct in smaller specimens than full-sized adults, bordered below by more or less distinct white stripe; white rim along upper and lower eyelids; ventrally immaculate greenish-white. Reproduction: some of Hoogmoed's juvenile specimens had umbilical scars: no other data yet available. B I

E. p. polytropis

??

Liberia, Ghana, Cameroon, Gabon, C Congo

?"

??

E. p. occidentalis

Although this subspecies does not appear to be currently recognised, we note here the reasons cited by Hoogmoed for its validity. Coloration: polytropis differs in that the lateral band breaks up into a series of vertically oriented spots. Scalation: in polytropis the prefrontals usually form a median suture, the supranasals may contact along the median line, and there are different counts for the subdigital lamellae, the scale rows at midbody, the transverse dorsal and transverse ventral rows.

E. p. paucisquamis

??

Ivory Coast, Ghana, Liberia

?"

??

E. quinquetaeniata

Five-Lined Skink

Virtually all of N, W and S Africa, but not Kenya, Uganda or Tanzania

?"

?? B I

E. q. quinquetaeniata

E. q. langheldi

E. q. riggenbachi

E. q. scharica

Senegal - poss. adj. countries?

E. rodenburgi

??

Ghana, Nigeria

?"

Small slender skink with short limbs and small depressed head. Scalation details: 1 pair transversely enlarged nuchals; supranasals are separated; nasals are separated; prefrontals may be in contact; 2 scales between 4th supraocular and anterior supratemporal; 8 supralabials, of which 5th touches eye; 7 (sometimes 8) infralabials; 2-4 superciliaries. Dorsal scalation: 60-66 transverse rows, 34-36 rows at midbody. Ventral scalation: 59-71 ventral transverse rows. Other: 3-5 lobules along anterior of ear; 19-23 subdigital lamellae under 4th toe, 14-17 under 4th finger. Coloration: dorsally brown with distinctly lighter vertebral and dorsolateral stripes; space in between stripes has black spots; indistinct greyish-white lateral stripes. Ventrally dirty white. White area around ear opening; eyelids lack white rim but are entirely white. Reproduction: no details yet available.[SOURCE: Hoogmoed] B I

E. seychellensis

??

Seychelles

?"

?? B I

E. socotrana

??

Socotra and adj. islands (Yemen)

?"

?? B I

E. spilogaster

Kalahari Tree Skink

RSA (N Cape Province), Botswana, Namibia, S Angola

?"

An arboreal inhabitant of arid savannah along the Kimberley and Lower Orange Rivers. It is found mainly in Acacia trees along dry river courses. Scalation: subocular narrowed below, reaches upper lip: 2 short lobes on each ear opening. Dorsal scalation: 3 keels on each scale, 32-36 rows at midbody. Other: window in lower eyelid: spiny scales on soles of feet, keel on lamellae beneath toes. Coloration: dark brown overall, pair of broad dorsolateral stripes. Numerous scattered small pale spots between stripes and flanks. Belly is white with irregular dark speckles. Reproduction: females give birth to 3-5 young. B I

E. striata

Striped Skink

RSA, Dem. Rep. Congo, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Somalia, Comoro Islands

25cm max, avg. 18-22 cm

Medium-sized, robustly built skink found in a variety of habitats, including forest clearings, coastal thicket, moist and dry savanna, semi-desert, mangrove swamps and urban areas, being often seen in towns. It is encountered at altitudes from sea level to up to 2,300m. Despite being essentially arboreal, it tolerates both urbanisation and people, becoming readily tame. In the right habitat it may occur in large numbers. The diet consists of arthropods, esp. beetles, but also vegetable matter and carrion. These skinks may be found foraging on rock outcrops, trees and houses. Scalation: subocular narrows below, usually reaches lip (see also subspecies entries). Dorsal scales have between 3-7 keels, being found in 32-43 rows [Branch] or 33-42 rows [SHDA] at midbody. There are spiny scales on the soles of the feet and a keel on the lamellae beneath the toes. Other: head and body slightly depressed; ear openings are lobed; window in lower eyelid. Coloration: see subspecies entries. E. striata can be distinguished from E. spilogaster by the lack of belly speckling and from E. planifrons by the much shorter tail. Reproduction: females give birth to 3-9 live young. In Tanzania these appear between May and September. Southern African populations in the south give birth to a single litter in the summer, but northern populations are sexually active all year round [Branch]. Sexual maturity is reached in 15-18 months. B I

E. s. striata

Common Striped Skink

RSA (KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo Valley), SE Zimbabwe and N & E to NE/E Kenya and Ethiopia

?"

Large subspecies. Scalation: subocular separated from lip. Coloration: overall shades of brown, olive, reddish- or dull green, with 2 cream, yellow or light greenish dorsolateral stripes which in some animals may fade. Top of head and snout are reddish. Flanks are usually speckled white or yellow. Ventrally cream or white with some grey or black. Southern African specimens usually have a red-brown dorsum with a distinct yellow dorsolateral stripe and a white belly: the chin and throat may be speckled grey, black and orange.

E. s. punctatissimus

Highveld Striped Skink

RSA (NE Cape, Transkei, W KwaZulu-Natal, Free State and N Provinces), S Botswana: eastern highlands of Zimbabwe and Malawi

?

Branch considers the populations found in the Zimbabwean and Malawian highlands to be relict. Scalation: prefrontals well separated. Coloration: dorsal coloration as for E. s. sparsa but with a pair of pale dorsolateral stripes. Belly yellow, usually with black spots and streaks on chin and throat.

E. s. sparsa

S Namibia, adj. RSA (N Cape) and Botswana

16cm?

Scalation: subocular does not reach lip, prefrontals in contact. Coloration: dorsally dark brown to black with numerous small pale spots. Belly white, sometimes with black or orange throat.

E. s. wahlbergi

?? Striped Skink

N Namibia, Botswana, Angola, NW Zimbabwe, W Mozambique?

8- 11cm SVL

Scalation: subocular usually reaches lip. Coloration: dorsally pale grey, sometimes with faint dorsolateral stripes. A black band extends from the eye to above the shoulder. Belly is white.

E. sulcata

Western Rock Skink

RSA, Namibia, S Angola

?"

?? B I

E. tandrefana

??

Madagascar

?"

?? B I

E. tavaratra

??

Madagascar

?"

?? B I

E. tessellata

??

Yemen, S Arabia

?"

?? B I

E. varia

Variable Skink

RSA (SE Cape), Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi, Namibia, Angola, Congo, poss. Uganda?

18cm max, avg. 10-15cm

The common name of this skink derives from its coloration, which does vary. It is a short-lived species: two years is the maximum longevity, but more usually males live for 15-16 months and females for 16-17. It is found in a variety of habitats including coastal thicket, woodland, moist and dry savanna and high-altitude grassland, from sea level to 3,600m [SHDA], but not commonly in semi-desert. Tolerant of urbanisation, it is found in most Nairobi suburbs [SHDA] It is mainly a ground dweller, foraging on broken ground, but also climbs on rock and tree bases. Prey is usually caught by a short dash from cover, and consists of insects, spiders and sometimes other lizards. Scalation: subocular reaches upper lip: spiny scales on soles of feet: 3 keels on lamellae beneath toes. Dorsal scalation: scales have 3 keels, 27-36 [SHDA] or 30-36 [Branch] rows at midbody. Other: body slightly depressed: snout may be rounded [Branch] or pointed [SHDA]; window in lower eyelid: ear openings have short lobes: tail is about half the length of the body. Coloration: varies enormously from area to area. Branch gives the following characteristics: dorsum may be blackish, olive, pale brown or brown, with or without dark spots. A distinct lateral stripe is always present, also sometimes a pale veterbral stripe and dorsolateral stripes. Bluish-white ventrally. SHDA give the following information: overall usually a shade of brown, bronze or grey. White lateral stripe nearly always present from the upper lip to the hindlimbs, sometimes onto the tail. Back is brown, either uniformly or speckled to some extent with black, or longitudinally striped (this applies esp. to animals from montane areas) with up to 9 fine stripes fo black, red or yellow. A dark or black heavily speckled flank stripe is often present. See SHDA for examples of regional differences. Ventrally usually white or cream, but high-altitude specimens may be yellow or orange. They note that the white lateral stripe and small size of the species makes it fairly easy to distinguish. Reproduction: viviparous across most of its range, but some S African populations lay eggs. Broods vary in size, eg 2-4 babies in Free State and Lower Zambezi valley, 3-10 babies in East Africa. In N Province in RSA, females lay a single clutch of 6-12 eggs which have an incubation time of 2 months. SHDA note that hatchlings are collected in Kenya in December, March and April, and that the species probably breeds throughout the year in moist areas. Hatchlings are 4-6cm on hatching. In keeping with their short lifespan, they reach sexual maturity in just eight months. B I

E. v. nyikae

Malawi (Nyika plateau)

Poorly defined subspecies [Branch].

E. variegata

Variegated Skink

RSA, Namibia, Botswana, S Mozambique, S Angola, Zambian, NW Zimbabwe

48-53mm SVL

The two subspecies may actually represent two different species, since they differ in both ecology and appearance [Branch]. They can be found in varied habitat including desert, karroid veld, montane grassland, savannah, coastal bush and mesic thicket [Branch]. Scalation details: subocular reaches upper lip. Dorsal scales in 30-36 rows at midbody. Spiny scales on soles of feet, keel on lamellae beneath toes. Ear openings are lobed; window present in lower eyelid. Coloration: variable, especially in the west of the range. Dorsally light-grey to dark brown, usually with a pair of lateral stripes present. Pale grey-brown individuals are also known. The belly is white. Reproduction: breeding males develop reddish-brown coloration below the hindlegs and on the tail base. This species is viviparous, with 2-4 young being born usually between January and March. B I

E. v. variegata

53mm SVL

Found around small rocky outcrops, shelters in burrows under rocks and logs or sometimes in soil-filled cracks. Scalation: 3 keels on dorsal scales. Coloration: pale stripes may be obscured or absent, and the back heavily flecked with black.

E. v. punctata

48mm SVL

Lives on sandy soils and shelters in holes at the base of bush clumps. Scalation: 3 keels on dorsal scales of juveniles, but 5-7 on dorsal scales of adults. Coloration: thin dorsal stripe bordered by series of black spots or streaks that extend onto the tail.

E. vato

??

Madagascar

?"

?? B I

E. vezo

??

SW Madagascar

?"

Small white-spotted species of the aureopunctata-group of Madagascan mabuyas, with regularly arranged rows of white spots on the dorsal and dorsolateral surfaces of the neck, body, and tail. Known from only 7 specimens from a single locality in Madagascar: this locality is "fady" (taboo), which provides some degree of protection for the species.. E. vezo is a rock-dweller, similar in size and habitat to E. vato, and in coloration to the much larger E. aureopunctata. It is broadly sympatric with only one member of its species-group, E. aureopunctata, but two species of the elegans-group, E. elegans and E. gravenhorstii, occur in the same area. [SOURCE] B I

E. vittata

Bridled Skink

N Africa (E Algeria to Egypt), Cyprus, Rhodes, Asia Minor & Middle East to W Iran

8"

Easily distinguished in its home areas as it is the only N African skink with longitudinal stripes [KKS]: the only species with which it might be confused is E. quinquetaenia in Egypt. E. vittata occupies a range of habitats provided there is cover available, including gardens. Local populations may have quite a high density [KKS]. These skinks feed mainly on insects but also on small lizards, including juveniles of their own species [KKS]. KKS suggest offering small grasshoppers, small mantids and flies to new-born young in captivity. Hibernation takes place in cool areas, usually those above 1000m altitude. These are good climbers, so an escape-proof tank is a must. Scalation details (from KKS): prefrontals in broad, small or no contact: 4 supraoculars: parietals usually touch behind interparietal: nostril pierces the nasal, usually no postnasal. 7 supralabials, of which 5th is below the orbit: ear opening is oval with 2-3 lobules, of which 1 is usually elongated. Dorsal scales: three keeled, slightly larger than lateral or ventral scales, in 32-34 rows at midbody. Other: lower eyelid has undivided transparent disk. Coloration: dorsally olive cream or brown, with light vertebral stripe and two whitish lines on each side: the lower line begins below the eye and passes through the ear. The lines may be edged with black lines or bands. Venter is whitish grey, yellowish or greenish. Reproduction: one of the viviparous members of the genus. Males are aggressive during the mating period, which would seem to suggest that keeping one male per tank in captivity is a wise course. Mating seems to be dependent on elevation and/or hibernation, but KKS do not give details other than mating taking place in mid-June at 1200m elevation inland. They do note that birth times are variable according to local climates and take place between June and September. An average of 6 young are born per litter. SOURCE: KKS B I

E. volamenaloha

??

Madagascar

?"

?? B I

E. wingati

??

Ethiopia

?"

?? B I

E. wrightii

??

Seychelles

?"

?? B I

E. w. wrightii

E. w. ilotensis