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Cryptoblepahrus
yulensis, or Southern Snake-eyed Skink, is a small species with a somewhat disjunct distribution. It is known to occur around Papua
New Guinea's capital, Port Moresby, as well as Yule Island lying 100
kilometres to the northwest. It also occurs in one area of
Western Province.
The name derives from its lack of eyelids : instead it possesses ocular
scales (brilles) which protect the eye,
rather like a snake.
The body is slender, and the head small. The limbs are slender, and
the eyes small to medium.
The top of its head is copper-brown, and the dorsal surface is pale brown.
The upper part of each flank possesses a thick, cream coloured stripe, and
the flanks are dark in colour.
It occurs in open, lowland woodland, including sparse, fire-climax eucalypt
forest created by manmade disturbance.
The specimen shown here was
found amongst the hillside gardens of a building on the outskirts of Port
Moresby. |
