Lerista labialis

The Southern Sandslider (Lerista labialis)

The southern sandslider, scientifically known as Lerista labialis, is a species of skink endemic to Australia, belonging to the family Scincidae. This small, snake-like lizard is characterized by its red to brown coloration and a distinctive lack of forelimbs, with only small hind limbs present. It is most commonly found inhabiting sandy termite mounds across the desert plains of Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Western Queensland, and New South Wales.

Ecology and Behavior

Lerista labialis is a fossorial and nocturnal species, meaning it spends much of its life burrowing and is primarily active at night. It navigates its sandy environment by 'swimming' through loose sand, often within the protective confines of termite mounds. These mounds provide essential refuge from harsh environmental conditions and surface-active predators, as well as aiding in thermoregulation. The species has a narrow preferred body temperature range between 21–36 °C, and the sandy habitat helps it maintain these optimal temperatures.

Diet and Reproduction

The diet of the southern sandslider consists predominantly of termites, which make up at least 78% of their intake. They supplement this with other invertebrates such as those from the orders Hemiptera and Neuroptera. Foraging occurs both on the surface and just below it, typically from late night into the early morning. Interestingly, they also ingest sand, which aids in their digestion. Water is obtained entirely through their food, negating the need for drinking. Reproduction occurs during the summer months, with females laying an average of two shelled eggs between November and February. The determination of an individual's sex requires internal examination.

Conservation and Distribution

The southern sandslider is widespread across the Australian continent and is not currently facing significant threats, leading to its classification as 'Least Concern' by conservation assessments. Its primary predators include the snake Simoselaps fasciolatus and the skink Eremiascincus fasciolatus. The species' abundance can be influenced by rainfall, which affects the availability of Spinifex plants, the food source for termites, thereby impacting the southern sandslider's primary prey population.