
Fig 1

Fig 2

Fig 3
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Family : SCINCIDAE
Species : Sphenomorphus maculatus
Size (snout to vent) : 6.7 cm
Size (total length) : up to 18.7 cm ?
The Streamside Skink
inhabits the vicinity of streams and small rivers in lowland and hilly
areas. It can be found foraging amongst rocks and vegetation right at the
waters edge.
In some locales this skink may venture further afield, for example the
specimen shown here, was around 50 metres from the nearest water body, on
the floor of a restaurant. Its diet comprises insects and other
invertebrates.
It is easily identified by the broad, dark stripe which extends from the
snout, through the eye, along the entire length of the body and to the tip
of the tail. This stripe is adorned with pale speckles. On the flanks,
beneath the dark stripe, is a mottled zone comprising yellowish and brown
spots.
The upperside of the head, body and tail is brown, with smooth scales, and
faint darker markings. The throat and belly are pale and immaculate.
The species is also known as 'Spotted Forest Skink' or 'Maculated Forest
Skink', however these alternate common names may cause confusion with other
species.
The Streamside Skink ranges from parts of Nepal, eastern India and southern
China, to Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and possibly the
northernmost part of Peninsular Malaysia.
Figs 1 and 3 : Specimen from Khao Yai, Thailand at an elevation of around
750 metres. It was around 50 metres from the nearest stream on the floor of
a restaurant, perhaps drawn there by the presence of insects.
Fig 2 : Stream habitat at Khao Yai, Thailand, slightly swollen and silty
with recent rain.
References : H11
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