Ornate soil-crevice skink
A species of Notoscincus Scientific name : Notoscincus ornatus Genus : Notoscincus
Ornate soil-crevice skink, A species of Notoscincus
Scientific name: Notoscincus ornatus
Genus: Notoscincus
Content
Description General Info
Description
Ornate soil-crevice skink is a skink species endemic to Australia, where it exhibits a largely fossorial lifestyle, frequently burrowing to escape predators or extreme weather. Its primary dietary sources include small invertebrates, aiding in the control of insect populations. Unusually for reptiles, this skink is ovoviviparous, a strategy that increases offspring survival in its occasionally rigorous habitat.
General Info
Lifespan
5-7 years
Diet
The diet of ornate soil-crevice skink primarily consists of small invertebrates, with a particular fondness for tenebrionid beetles and spiders. It forages actively, using its narrow snout to dig out food hiding in the sand.
Appearance
Ornate soil-crevice skink is a small, slender skink displaying vibrant colors of metallic bronze and gold, highlighted by black and white speckles along its body and tail. Male skinks often feature brighter color patterns than females. Their smooth, snake-like body is accompanied by strong limbs and clawed toes. A key eye-catching attribute is the bright blue mouth lining, visible when they open their mouths.
Behavior
Ornate soil-crevice skink is a diurnal, solitary species, mostly spending its waking hours sun-basking and hunting for small invertebrates. It showcases territorial behavior by performing push-ups, with males being more aggressive. The species burrows into the ground or hides under foliage to escape predators, demonstrating remarkable camouflage skills.
Population
Stable
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Reptiles Order
Lizards and snakes Family
Skinks Genus
Notoscincus Species
Ornate soil-crevice skink 
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