Lizards > Skinks > Striped Dwarf Burrowing Skink

Skinks (Scincidae; skinke, gladde akkedisse)

Striped Dwarf Burrowing Skink / Gestreepte Dwerg-grawende Skink

Scelotes sexlineatus

Size A medium-sized dwarf burrowing skink, with adult snout-vent length varying from 50-80 mm.

Description Front limbs are lacking and the small hind limbs have two toes each. There are three supracilliaries and four supraoculars. Minute ear openings are present and the lower eyelid has a transparent window. There are 18 scale rows at midbody and the tail is slightly longer than the body. The body is silvery-grey above and all the scales are dark-spotted, giving the body a striped appearance. The dorso-lateral stripes are the most prominent. The underparts are a greyish-white.

Biology It occurs in coastal strandveld and is found under stones in sandy areas. When disturbed, it quickly wriggles into the sand and is difficult to catch. It is live-bearing and females give birth to two young in March.

Distribution Endemic to Namaqualand, from Port Nolloth to Clanwilliam.

Distribution in the GCBC Probably just entering the corridor in the coastal areas.

Conservation status Not listed.

Threats Mining and coastal development.

Current studies None.