Solomon Islands Tree Skink

SOLOMON ISLANDS PREHENSILE-TAILED TREE SKINK

Look closely at the tail

Scientific name: Corucia zebrata
Family: Scincidae
Order: Squamata
Class: Reptilia

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Prehensile-tailed Skinks can weigh as much as 14-28 ounces. The snout to cloaca length of the Prehensile-tailed Skink can measure up to 16 inches with the prehensile tail making up the additional length; up to 32 inches from snout to tail tip. The babies are born between 6-8 inches long.

The head of Corucia zebrata is large and flat with small eyes. These large skinks range in color from dark green to a near black. Black, yellow, and shades of various greens decorate the back, tail, and belly in random molting spots or stripes. The skin of the Prehensile-tailed Skink is smoother and shinier than any other lizards. Their scales are smooth, flat and overlapping. They have a short tongue that is broad, flat and fleshy. These skinks have large powerful claws and a long prehensile tail, which enables them to sustain a rich arboreal life.

The tail is adapted for seizing, grasping or holding. The long claws of the Prehensile-tailed Skink have razor sharp hooks, which enables them to cling to trees. Unlike other lizards, Prehensile-tailed Skinks do not have the capability to break off their tails when caught by predators since their tail is used as an extra appendage. Mature male skinks appear to have wider heads than females.

DISTRIBUTION and HABITAT:

Corucia zebrata can be found mostly in the Solomon Islands. The Prehensile-tailed Skink is now distributed over the world through the pet trade. Corucia zebrata inhabit tropical rain forest. The preferred daytime temperature ranges between 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit and 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit at night.

BEHAVIOR:

Skinks are shy and secretive and seldom stray far from their shelter. Most species adapt well to captivity. This skink is crepuscular and nocturnal. It hangs suspended from branches or hides in tree hollows during the day.

DIET:

The Solomon islands tree skink is almost exclusively herbivorous, eating fruits and vegetables, and rarely insects.

REPRODUCTION and GROWTH:

The Prehensile-tailed Skink is ovoviviparous. They have a relatively long gestation period, which last six to seven months. Female Prehensile-tailed Skinks give birth to one to two offspring at a time. The young stays in close association with the parent although the parent does not directly protect the babies. The presence of the adult skink deters some predators like raptors, boas, rates and shrews, which prey the young. The young skink is able to live independently and they forage for their own food at a very young age.

Wild Population:

The Prehensile-tailed Skink is not considered an endangered species.