Eutropis macularia
The bronze grass skink (Eutropis macularia) is a common, ground-dwelling lizard found across South and Southeast Asia. It is characterized by its keeled dorsal scales, a cylindrical body, and distinctive dorso-lateral bands. This shy species inhabits a variety of environments, including forests, grasslands, and rocky areas, and is active during both day and night.
Key Facts
- ›Found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.
- ›Inhabits deciduous and evergreen forests, plantations, grasslands, and rocky areas with scattered trees.
- ›Feeds primarily on insects and other invertebrates.
- ›Females lay clutches of three to six eggs.
- ›Active both day and night, preferring areas with dense leaf litter and shrub cover.
- ›Possesses a specialized group of scales above the ankle that serve as a chigger-mite refuge.
Bronze Mabuya, Speckled Forest Skink
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam
- Cylindrical Body
- Dorsal Scales With 5–8 Keels
- Smooth Ventral Scales
- Pair of Dorso-Lateral Bands From Above the Eye To the Base of the Tail
- Short, Obtusely Keeled and Acuminate Snout
- Scaly Lower Eyelid
- Oval Ear-Opening
- 26 To 30 Scales Around the Middle of the Body
- Adpressed Limbs Meet Or Overlap
- Short Digits With Smooth Lamellae
- Tail 1.25 To 1.75 Times the Length of the Head and Body
- Coloration: Brown Or Olive-Brown Above, Sides Darker With White Black-Edged Spots; Back Uniform, Black-Spotted, Or With Black Longitudinal Lines; Sometimes Two Light Lateral Lines On the Neck Region.
- Underparts Are Yellowish .
- Deep-Brown, Olive Or Bronze-Brown Coloration; Dorso-Lateral Bands Are Light Or Yellow; Sometimes With Black Spots On the Base of the Tail.
- Breeding Males Develop Orange Coloration On the Lateral Sides of the Body.
- Juveniles Are Gray With A Bronze Head.
- Specialized Group of Scales On the Leg Just Above the Ankle Forming A Chigger-Mite Refuge.
Insects, Other Invertebrates
- Common But Shy
- Ground-Dwelling
- Active Both Day and Night
- Hides In Holes In the Ground, Crevices, and Under Rocks
- Strictly Terrestrial
About Eutropis macularia
Bronze Grass Skink (Eutropis macularia)
The bronze grass skink, scientifically known as Eutropis macularia, is a widespread lizard species native to South and Southeast Asia. Despite its common presence, it is a notably shy and ground-dwelling creature, often found amongst leaf litter, in grasslands, or rocky areas with sparse trees. This skink is characterized by its cylindrical body, keeled dorsal scales, and smooth ventral scales. A distinctive feature is the presence of dorso-lateral bands that extend from above the eye to the base of its tail.
Distribution and Habitat
The bronze grass skink inhabits a broad geographical range, including countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, among others. It thrives in various environments, from deciduous and evergreen forests to plantations and grasslands, typically at altitudes up to 1,500 meters. Its preference for areas with dense leaf litter and shrub cover suggests a need for both camouflage and protection.
Ecology and Behavior
This species is primarily an insectivore, feeding on insects and other small invertebrates. It is known to be active during both the day and night, a characteristic that distinguishes it from many other reptiles. When threatened, Eutropis macularia will seek refuge in ground holes, crevices, or under rocks. The females are oviparous, laying clutches of three to six eggs each year. A unique anatomical feature observed is a specialized group of scales on the leg above the ankle, which is thought to serve as a refuge for chigger mites.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the common names for Eutropis macularia?
Eutropis macularia is commonly known as the bronze grass skink. It is also referred to as the bronze mabuya or the speckled forest skink.
What is the typical size of a bronze grass skink?
The maximum recorded length for the bronze grass skink is 23 cm (9 inches), with a more common length of 16 cm (6 inches). The snout-to-vent length is typically around 7 cm (2.8 inches).
Where does the bronze grass skink live?
This species is found throughout South and Southeast Asia, including countries like India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. It thrives in diverse habitats such as forests, grasslands, and rocky regions.
What does the bronze grass skink eat?
Like other skinks, the bronze grass skink is an insectivore, feeding on insects and other small invertebrates found in its environment.
How does the bronze grass skink reproduce?
Females of the species lay several small clutches of eggs each year. Each clutch typically contains three to six eggs.
Is the bronze grass skink shy?
Yes, the bronze grass skink is described as a shy species. It tends to hide in holes in the ground, crevices, and under rocks to avoid detection.
What are the physical characteristics of the bronze grass skink?
It has a cylindrical body with keeled dorsal scales and smooth ventral scales. Distinctive features include a pair of dorso-lateral bands running from above the eye to the tail's base and a specialized scale group above the ankle.
Related Lizards
Bronze mabuya
The bronze grass skink, also known as the bronze mabuya or speckled forest skink, is a common but shy, ground-dwelling lizard found across South and Southeast Asia. It inhabits various environments including forests, grasslands, and rocky areas, and is characterized by its cylindrical body, keeled dorsal scales, and distinctive dorso-lateral bands. This skink is an insectivore, active both day and night, and plays a role in its ecosystem by consuming invertebrates.
Indian kangaroo lizard
The Indian kangaroo lizard, scientifically known as Agasthyagama beddomii, is an insectivorous lizard endemic to the Western Ghats of South India. It is characterized by its habit of running on its hind legs with its body held upright, a behavior that gives it its common name. This diurnal species prefers moist leaf litter on the forest floor but can also be found on low vegetation.
Mabuya macularia
The bronze grass skink, also known as the bronze mabuya or speckled forest skink, is a common and shy lizard found across South and Southeast Asia. This ground-dwelling species is distinguished by its cylindrical body, keeled dorsal scales, and a distinctive pair of light dorso-lateral bands. It inhabits a variety of environments, including forests, grasslands, and rocky areas, and feeds primarily on insects and other invertebrates.