Lizards > Skinks > Cape Dwarf Burrowing Skink

Skinks (Scincidae; skinke, gladde akkedisse)

Cape Dwarf Burrowing Skink / Kaapse Dwerg-grawende Skink

Scelotes caffer

Size A small dwarf burrowing skink with adult snout-vent length varying from 40-55 mm.

Description Unlike in most other dwarf burrowing skinks, well-developed front and hind limbs are present. Each limb has three toes. The body is covered with small, smooth scales, arranged in 20 rows at midbody. There are no visible external ear openings and the lower eyelid has a transparent window. The tail is slightly longer than the body. The body is silvery above with a touch of olive. Each scale has a dark centre. A pale lateral stripe is sometimes present. The tail is bluish-grey at the base and blue at the tip. The underparts are a bluish-grey.

Biology Like other burrowing forms it is often found under stones in level, sandy areas, but is also very fond of rotting plant material. When disturbed, it quickly wriggles into the sand and is difficult to catch. It readily sheds its tail. It is live-bearing and females give birth to 1-2 young in December to January.

Distribution Isolated populations occur in Namaqualand (Garies), West Coast ( Elands Bay ), Karoo (Calvinia), Little Karoo and the Eastern Cape.

Distribution in the GCBC Probably only present in the Elands Bay area.

Conservation status Not listed.

Threats None identified.

Current studies None.