Family : SCINCIDAE
Species : Carlia sp.
Size (snout to vent) : This specimen 5 cm
Size (total length) : This specimen 12.5 cm
The skink pictured here is
identified as belonging to the genus Carlia. Species of this
genus can be recognised by the presence of just 4 toes on the forefeet,
instead of the usual 5 toes found in other genera.
Small in size, this specimen is estimated to measure around 5 cm
snout-to-vent, with a tail of around 7.5 cm (i.e. 1.5 times snout-to-vent
length).
Its body is medium brown, with fine black speckling. The slender whip-like
tail is of similar colour with minor dark barring.
The skink was found active in the heat of the day, in an inhabited area : it
was observed feeding on small insects.
The specimen was found at an elevation of 650 metres, adjacent to primary
rainforest.
Figs 1 to 3 : Three images of a species of Carlia from Southern
Highlands Province, PNG at an elevation of 650 metres.
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