IUCN Conservation Status –
Least Concern
Extinct In The Wild
Class: Reptiles
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Also known as the monkey-tailed skink, this reptile is endemic to the Solomon Islands off the coast of Australia.
They are completely herbivorous, eating fruits, vegetables, flowers, leaves and shoots.
Interesting facts!
- They are the largest known species of skink and one of the few species of reptile known to function within a social group (called a circulus).
- This skink is most active during the dusk and dawn hours.
- Unlike most reptiles, the female carries the young inside her, nourishing them with a placenta and giving birth. Females exhibit fierce protective behaviour around the time of birth. After 6 to 8 months, one skink is born, though twins and triplets have been observed. The new-born skink is nearly half the size of the mother.
Conservation
These skinks are currently listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, with habitat loss due to extensive logging proving a serious threat to the population. Other threats facing this species include being hunted for food and capture for the illegal pet trade.