Corucia zebrata zebrata

(Gray, 1855)

Vernacular names

English : Solomon Islands skink
French : Scinque à queue préhensile

Classification

Class : Reptilia
Order : Squamata
Family : Scincidae
Notes : 1 other subspecies known.

Identification

Largest known skink species, reaching a length of 71 cm for a weight of nearly 850 grams. Large triangular head. Coloration olive-green to olive-brown with dark mottling and banding on back and flanks. Darker-eyed and larger subspecies.

Range and habitat

This subspecies is endemic to the Solomon Islands Archipelago. Species also found on Bougainville and Buka, off New Guinea. Lives in cloud forests, Montane forests and Pine-Oak forests from 1000 to 3000 m.

Conservation

IUCN RED LIST : NEAR THREATENED
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species is declining at an alarming rate because of widespread habitat loss and extensive trapping for the pet trade.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America

Observation