Cryptoblepharus australis

Cryptoblepharus australis, common name inland snake-eyed skink or Carnaby's wall skink is a species of skink in the genus Cryptoblepharus.

Pronunciation: KRIP-toe-BLEFF-ah-russ / oss-TRAH-liss

Etymology

Cryptoblepharus: ‘hidden eyelid’, referring to the fused eyelids.

Australis: ‘southern’, or more generally referring to Australia

Other names include: It has many names and has changed constantly, ‘Carnaby’s Snake Eyed Skink’, ‘Carnaby’s Wall Skink’ and just the scientific name Cryptoblepharus australis.^[1]

Introduction

A major and much-needed revision of the genus was undertaken in 2007 by Paul Horner of the Northern Territory Museum, previously splitting this species into a bunch of species each of which occupies quite a distinct range occurring over Australia, in this case the Cryptoblepharus Australis which is also known as the Cryptoblepharus Virgatus Wall Skink is the same genus and thus the complication we can run into when researching.^[2]

Paul Horner (2008), says Cryptoblepharus are unique species to the Territory. A study recently has found the top end is a hot spot for snake eyed skinks with one new discovery that was very exciting for herpetologist Paul Horner (2008).

Description of species

C. australis usually has quite distinct features: 6 supraciliary scales, 24 mid-body scale rows; smooth sub digital lamellae; immaculate, acute plantar scales. They are greyish in colour and have a longitudinal aligned body pattern.^[1] The Crytoplepharus genus species ‘Snake eyed Skink’ thrives on vertical surfaces of rocks, trees and buildings which are challenging habitats that demand quite different adaptions and body characteristics to do so ^[3] The lizard requires special characteristics of its body type for its challenging vertical surfaces, which include; a dorsally depressed body and long splayed limbs, digits which create a low centre of gravity and an intimate contact with the surface.^[3] These little skinks are swift and sure footed vertically as they are horizontally on a plane ^[3]

Similar Species Include; Metallic snake-eyed skink (Cryptoblepharus metallicus) Adams' snake-eyed skink (Cryptoblepharus adamsi) Fuhn's snake-eyed skink (Cryptoblepharus fuhni) Cryptoblepharus litoralis litoralis Cryptoblepharus Virgatus Wall Skink

^[1]

Distribution

It is distributed across arid inland Australia, extending north to vicinity of Barkley Highway in the Northern Territory and Queensland, east to the central plains of Queensland, east to the central plains of Queensland and New South Wales, and south Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. In Western Australia, it is known from Murchison and Great Victoria Desert bioregions ^[1] For more of an idea, it is found in the interior of the state including these places; ‘Binerah Downs’ station, Yetman area, Armidale and Wahgunyah State Forest ^[4]

Habitat

The Cryptoplepharus australis lives in; Semi-arid zone, woodland, open woodland, shrub land, grasslands, spinifex type environment ^[5]

Habits

It is an arboreal (tree dwelling), rock inhabiting and diurnal (active during the day), in a natural environment they are found under bark on standing trees, and crevices in the dead timber and rocks.^[4] Snake eyed skinks even occupy the walls of buildings well within the central business districts such as Perth and Cairns.^[3] The Crytoplepharus genus species ‘Snake eyed Skink’ as mentioned above thrives on vertical surfaces of rocks, trees and buildings which are challenging habitats that demand quite different adaptations.^[3]

Threats

General threats to all reptiles include:

habitat loss from land clearing habitat degradation by introduced species such as cattle and rabbits habitat modification caused by global climate change death on roads feral predators such as dogs, cats, pigs and foxes the introduced cane toad emerging diseases ^[1]

Reproduction

It produces two eggs to a clutch.^[4]

Diet

Its diet consists of insects.^[4]

References

Further Reference

Paul Horner(2007)Systematics of the snake-eyed skinks, Cryptoblepharus Wiegmann (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae)–an Australian-based review