Skink, Crocodile Tribolonotus Gracilis
Description
The Crocodile Skink is a distinctive and fascinating lizard. It is a semi-burrowing skink which inhabits lowland rainforests. Their color is gray, have triangular heads, rough scales and bright-orange eye rings, long tails and four feet with tiny toes, four rows of scales down their spine (leads to its name "crocodile") and small square enlarged belly scales where its belly button is located. They range from 8-10 inches in length. They weigh between 38 and 45 grams. The male has 3 pads on its rear toes, and has small pores under the feet, which are thought to secrete scents that are used to recognize another skink's sex. Its life span is 12 to 15 years.
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Range
Indonesia and New Guinea
Habitat
Lives in semi-aquatic and terrestrial conditions
Gestation
They become sexually mature at about one year and will lay one egg every 65-70 days. Gestation takes about 70 days so a new egg is laid about when the previous egg hatches.
Litter
One at a time approximately every 65-70 days. Birthlings are about 2.5 inches long.
Behavior
The Crocodile skink is diurnal, prefers low light conditions, and cool temperatures; is active in the morning and late afternoon; likes high humidity, needs a place to hide, such as under rotting logs or other debris. They are very shy so they are not seen out eating. If they are frightened or stressed, they may play dead and if trapped will move, even if its tail breaks off. The tail ca regenerate.
Reproduction
They become sexually mature at about one year and will lay one egg every 65-70 days.
Diet (Wild)
Its primary diet is crickets, mealworms, small beetles and small fish
Conservation Status
Least Concern