Southern sandslider
A species of Lerista Scientific name : Lerista labialis Genus : Lerista
Southern sandslider, A species of Lerista
Scientific name: Lerista labialis
Genus: Lerista
Content
Description General Info
Description
The southern sandslider is a small skink, with a snake-like body and tail. It is red to brown in colour with a darker brown line on the side, being very similar to Lerista bipes. The skink has no fore limbs and the hind limbs are small. The southern sandslider has one supraocular (scales lying above the eyes) between the eyes and no supraciliaries (small scales along the outer margin of the upper eyelid). An adult female southern sandslider is generally much longer than an adult male. The females can reach approximately 38 to 60 mm (snout-to-vent) in length. The males only reach between 37 and 55 mm (snout-to-vent) in length.
General Info
Lifespan
6-8 years
Diet
Southern sandslider is primarily insectivorous, feeding largely on small arthropods unearthed from the undergrowth. Its preferred prey includes beetles, spiders, and small centipedes, foraging mainly at dawn and dusk.
Appearance
Southern sandslider is a small skink with an elongated, slender body. Its scale-covered skin is sandy with darker mottling, which helps it blend into its natural habitat. Notable features include extremely short limbs, almost invisible to the naked eye, and a long, tapering tail. There is no significant variation in appearance due to age, gender, or subspecies.
Behavior
Southern sandslider exhibits solitary behavior, preferring to spend its time burrowed underground in its preferred sandy habitat. Noted for its distinct lack of hind limbs, it uses a combination of wriggling and sliding movements to navigate its environment. Territorial behavior is less pronounced for this species and not commonly observed.
Population
Stable
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Reptiles Order
Lizards and snakes Family
Skinks Genus
Lerista Species
Southern sandslider