Hosmer's spiny-tailed skink


Hosmer's spiny-tailed skink or Hosmer's skink is a species of large skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is a diurnal, rock-dwelling species native to Northern Australia.

Description

Hosmer's spiny-tailed skink is mostly reddish-brown on top, with both scattered darker and paler spots along the back, legs, and tail. It has a darker brown head and neck, white abdomen, and a few dark brown blotches under the chin. The snout–vent length is 180mm, with a round, tapering tail about 60% of the SVL. It is most closely related to Cunningham's spiny-tailed skink, however the tail of E. hosmeri is flattened and spinier than that of E. cunninghami.

Geographic range

Hosmer's spiny-tailed skin is found throughout dry, rocky regions of Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Reproduction

Like some other reptiles, it is viviparous, giving birth to an average of four live young at a time.

Diet

Hosmer's spiny-tailed skink is omnivorous, eating insects, leaves, shoots, and berries.