Hosmer's spiny-tailed skink
Hosmer's spiny-tailed skink at Philadelphia Zoo
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Egernia
Species:
E. hosmeri
Binomial name
Egernia hosmeri
(Kinghorn, 1955)

Hosmer's spiny-tailed skink or Hosmer's skink (Egernia hosmeri) is a species of large skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is a diurnal, rock-dwelling species native to Northern Australia.

Description

Hosmer's spiny-tailed skink is mostly reddish-brown on top, with both scattered darker and paler spots along the back, legs, and tail. It has a darker brown head and neck, white abdomen, and a few dark brown blotches under the chin. The snout–vent length (SVL) is 180mm, with a round, tapering tail about 60% of the SVL.[2] It is most closely related to Cunningham's spiny-tailed skink (Egernia cunninghami), however the tail of E. hosmeri is flattened and spinier than that of E. cunninghami.[3]

Geographic range

Hosmer's spiny-tailed skin is found throughout dry, rocky regions of Queensland and the Northern Territory.[2][4]

Reproduction

Like some other reptiles, it is viviparous, giving birth to an average of four live young at a time.[5]

Diet

Hosmer's spiny-tailed skink is omnivorous, eating insects, leaves, shoots, and berries.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Hoskin, C.; Couper, P. (2018). "Egernia hosmeri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T109470437A109470442. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T109470437A109470442.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 Cogger, Harold (2014). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia (7th ed.). CSIRO PUBLISHING. p. 544. ISBN 9780643109773. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  3. ↑ Kinghorn, J. Roy (1 September 1955). "Herpetological notes. No. 5" (PDF). Records of the Australian Museum. 23 (5): 286. doi:10.3853/j.0067-1975.23.1955.638. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  4. ↑ Clayton, Mark; Wombley, John; Mason, Ian; Chesser, R. Terry; Alice, Wells (2006). CSIRO list of Australian vertebrates: a reference with conservation status (2nd ed.). CSIRO PUBLISHING. p. 29. ISBN 9780643098800. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  5. 1 2 "Hosmer's skink". Australian Reptile Park. Australian Reptile Park. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
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