Many-keeled grass skink

The Many-keeled grass skink, scientifically designated as Eutropis carinata, is a species of skink native to South Asia. It is also commonly known by names such as the keeled Indian mabuya or, ambiguously, the golden skink. This lizard is characterized by its robust body, a moderately obtuse snout, and scaly lower eyelids, with smooth vertebral scales. Its coloration typically ranges from brown to olive or bronze on its upper surfaces, often adorned with dark-brown or black spots or longitudinal streaks along the scale margins. The sides of the skink are dark-brown or chestnut, sometimes featuring light spots, and a distinct light dorso-lateral line runs from above the eye to the tail base, with its lower parts being whitish or yellowish.

Distribution and Habitat

This diurnal and terrestrial species is frequently encountered in Bangladesh, India (with the exception of the North-West), the Maldives, Myanmar, and Nepal, with potential presence in Bhutan. The Many-keeled grass skink thrives in open areas, where it is often observed basking in the sun or actively foraging. Its terrestrial nature means it primarily inhabits ground-level environments.

Diet and Reproduction

The diet of the Many-keeled grass skink is varied, including insects such as crickets, caterpillars, and beetles, as well as earthworms and even small vertebrates. As an oviparous species, it reproduces by laying eggs. Between August and September, females excavate holes or utilize spaces under fallen logs to deposit clutches containing two to twenty eggs, which measure approximately 11 by 17 mm. Hatchlings emerge between May and June, measuring about 12 to 12.5 mm. Reproductive cycles in males, particularly in southern India, show peak activity during October and November, coinciding with the female reproductive period generally occurring in the dry, post-rainy season.