
Fig 1

Fig 2

Fig 3

Fig 4
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Family : SCINCIDAE
Species : Eugongylus rufescens
Size (snout to vent) : up to 14.3 cm
Size (total length) : up to 38.3 cm
The Bar-lipped Sheen
Skink, or Brown Sheen Skink, is a large, terrestrial skink which inhabits
forest but is more commonly seen in disturbed habitats at the forest edge.
It appears to be nocturnal in habits, and is thus typically seen at dusk
when it starts to become active.
Its body is robust and muscular, and measures around 14 cm from snout to
vent. Its tail is long, thick and equally muscular and measures over 1.5
times head-body length. It moves in a sinuous, snake-like motion when
fleeing disturbance.
Its body is medium to dark brown with faint, thin, regular transverse
banding. The scales are smooth, and iridescent under bright light. The
upper and lower lips are adorned with a series of vertical dark bands.
This species is known to feed upon smaller lizards, including other skinks,
as well as large insects, such as crickets, and other invertebrates.
In Southeast Asia
Eugongylus rufescens occurs in parts of eastern Indonesia including
the mollucan islands of Seram and Ambon, and the Aru Islands. Further east
it occurs in many parts of Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and
Queensland, Australia.
Fig 1 : Example from Papua New Guinea, found at an elevation of around 900
metres. It exhibits the typical pattern of narrow, pale bars on its
flanks.
Fig 2 : Close-up of the head showing the dark bars on the upper and lower
lips. Note the large ear opening.
Fig 3 : Full view. Note the sinuous, muscular body and tail.
Fig 4 : Active amongst dead vegetation.
References :
de Rooij, N., 1915. The Reptiles of the Indo-Australian Archipelago, I
Lacertilia, Chelonia, Emydosauria. E.J. Brill Ltd. Leiden. xiv + 382
pp.
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