Lizards > Skinks > Variegated Skink

Skinks (Scincidae; skinke, gladde akkedisse)

Variegated Skink / Spikkelskink

Trachylepis variegata

Size Adult snout-vent length varies from 35-55 mm. No sexual size dimorphism occurs.

Description The variegated skink is a small slender skink with well-developed limbs and a tail that is slightly shorter than the body. It has a small pointed head. Coloration is variable. Dorsally, it is normally grey to dark brown with a pair of pale lateral stripes, and is heavily flecked with black. Sometimes there is an additional vertebral stripe. The belly is white. Breeding males develop a reddish-brown blush below the hind legs and on the tail base.

Biology It is the smallest of the Trachylepis species that occur in South Africa. It is common within its range and is usually confined to rocky areas. Although associated with rocks, it is not a typical rockdweller in that it seldom shelters in rock crevices, and in that it spends most of its activity time foraging at groundlevel among vegetation at the base of rocks. Like most skinks, it is a diurnal active forager and its diet includes various small invertebrate species. During periods of inactivity, it will shelter in burrows underneath rocks or logs. Occasionally, it may shelter in rock crevices

It is viviparous, giving birth to 2-4 babies usually during January-March. There are reports of births during August in the Namib Desert. This is not unusual as several species in the dry western parts of the country with unpredictable rainfall display aseasonal reproductive cycles.

Distribution The variegated skink has an extensive range in the western half of the subcontinent and reaches as far north as southern Angola. It is absent from the southwestern districts of South Africa.

Distribution in the GCBC Probably occurs throughout the Corridor.

Conservation status Not listed.

Threats None identified.

Current studies None.