Skink by Punaguy

Photography • Animals • posted on Aug 12, 2005

Open full image in new tab Zoom on image

Hover over top left image to zoom.
Click anywhere to exit.

Members remain the original copyright holder in all their materials here at Renderosity. Use of any of their material inconsistent with the terms and conditions set forth is prohibited and is considered an infringement of the copyrights of the respective holders unless specially stated otherwise.

Description

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. Taken at the Hilo Rainforest Zoo outside of Hilo. Many thanks for your kind comments on previous posts...Have an enjoyable weekend all~ Aloha!

Comments (21)

thevolunteer

12:00AM | Sat, 13 August 2005

Wow, I never knew we had those here. Looks like a snake and geko combined. Great capture. Aloha

Tedz

12:07AM | Sat, 13 August 2005

There was a big stink Me think, about a Skink in a Drink...or was it a Salad...on an Imternational Flight....a fine Image Bro'!

)

sharky_

12:22AM | Sat, 13 August 2005

lol@Tedz. Seriously, I must have missed this one. Beautiful! I'm just amazed of all the information you have found on this beautiful Reptile. Stella is right, it does look like a snake. What does it eat??? Excellent capture. Aloha

)

rayburg

12:24AM | Sat, 13 August 2005

Nice close-up..looks like you woke him up from a deep sleep.

)

diomedes66

12:51AM | Sat, 13 August 2005

Whoa, that's one big lizard! Must take 100,000 flies a day to keep him fed ;-) A superb image! Well done indeed!

)

DJB

12:51AM | Sat, 13 August 2005

It's perfectly situated in frame.Wondering if it is just idle or getting ready to make a move.The elbow coming out is a good feature.

)

Dotthy

1:57AM | Sat, 13 August 2005

amazing work, love the details!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kaimi22

2:20AM | Sat, 13 August 2005

That is an unbelievable and unreal shot uncle! Perfectly clear. Well done Uncle Na`e! BRAVO! I love you, by the way! :)

cygne

2:57AM | Sat, 13 August 2005

beau shoot belle compo

)

Zacko

4:02AM | Sat, 13 August 2005

COOOOOOOOOOOOL!!! I agree, that it looks like a snake that grew arms. Such cool looking eyes!!! I can only see one but imagine the other one looks just like that one..duh, lol. Sweet capture Dave, like that blue tint it has. Is that cause you shot it through a window or something. A real dragon-wannabe that is, yup yup. Excellent work as always. Have a wonderful weekend #:O)

vlaaitje

8:15AM | Sat, 13 August 2005

wow, what an alien !! Gorgous patterns...well taken

tvernuccio

9:23AM | Sat, 13 August 2005

What a BEAUTY!!!! and you took such a fantastic foto!!! composition & DOF is top notch! I don't wanna be anywhere NEAR those big SHARP claws of his!!!!! :)

)