Sphenomorphus indicus
Unknown (likely oviparous, typical for skinks)
Sphenomorphus indicus, commonly known as the Indian forest skink, is a lacertiform lizard characterized by its smooth scales and a tail nearly twice the length of its head and body. This species inhabits forested areas across a wide range of Asian countries, from China and India to Southeast Asia. Its coloration typically features brown or olive dorsal surfaces, often with darker dots, and darker sides with lighter margins.
Key Facts
- ›The Indian forest skink is characterized by smooth scales around its body.
- ›Its tail is approximately twice the length of its head and body combined.
- ›The species is found across a broad distribution in South and Southeast Asia, including China, India, Bhutan, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
- ›Coloration is generally brown or olive with darker markings, especially on the sides.
- ›The hind limb of Sphenomorphus indicus typically reaches the elbow when pressed against the body.
Indian Forest Skink
China, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Indochina, West Malaysia
- Habit Is Lacertiform.
- Snout Is Short and Obtuse; Loreal Region Nearly Vertical.
- Lower Eyelid Is Scaly.
- Nostril Is Pierced In A Single Nasal Or Between A Nasal and A Postnasal; No Supranasal.
- Frontonasal Is Broader Than Long, Forming A Narrow Suture With the Frontal.
- Frontal Is As Long As Frontoparietal and Parietals Together.
- 4 Large Supraoculars, Followed By 2 Very Small Ones; First Supraocular Not Much Longer Than Second.
- 9 Or 10 Supracilians, With the First Being the Largest.
- Frontoparietals and Interparietal Are Distinct, With the Former Slightly Longer Than the Latter.
- Parietals Form A Short Suture Behind the Interparietal; No Nuchals.
- Fifth and Sixth Upper Labials Are the Largest and Positioned Below the Eye.
- Ear-Opening Is Oval and Smaller Than the Eye-Opening; No Auricular Lobules.
- 36 Or 38 Smooth Scales Are Present Around the Middle of the Body, With Laterals Being the Smallest.
- A Pair of Large Pre-Anals.
- When Limbs Are Pressed Against the Body, the Hind Limb Reaches the Elbow Or Not Quite So Far.
- Digits Are Rather Elongate and Compressed.
- Subdigital Lamellae Are Smooth Or Obtusely Keeled, With 17 To 20 Under the Fourth Toe.
- Tail Is Almost Twice As Long As Head and Body.
- Coloration Is Brown Or Olive Above, Uniform Or With Scattered Darker Dots.
- Sides of Head and Body Are Dark Brown, Light-Margined Above, Usually With Large Light Spots.
- Lower Surface Is Whitish.
Unknown
Lacertiform Habit.
About Sphenomorphus indicus
Sphenomorphus indicus: The Indian Forest Skink
Sphenomorphus indicus, commonly referred to as the Indian forest skink, is a species of lizard belonging to the family Scincidae. This species is characterized by its lacertiform body shape, smooth scales, and a tail that is notably long, measuring almost twice the length of its head and body.
Description and Physical Characteristics
The Indian forest skink possesses a short, obtuse snout and a scaly lower eyelid. Its body is covered in 36 to 38 smooth scales, with the lateral scales being the smallest. The hind limbs, when pressed against the body, typically reach the elbow. Its digits are elongated and compressed, with the subdigital lamellae on the fourth toe numbering between 17 and 20. The coloration of Sphenomorphus indicus is generally brown or olive on its dorsal side, which may be uniform or marked with scattered darker dots. The sides of its head and body are dark brown, often bordered above by a lighter margin, and frequently display large light spots. The underside of the lizard is typically whitish.
Distribution and Habitat
Sphenomorphus indicus has a wide geographic distribution across South and Southeast Asia. Its range includes southern China (encompassing regions like Tibet, Hainan, Henan, Shaanxi, Gansu, and Nan Ao Island), Bangladesh, Bhutan, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, India (specifically Darjeeling and Sikkim), Indochina, and extending south to West Malaysia. The common name suggests a preference for forest environments, indicating it inhabits wooded areas within these diverse regions.
Size
The snout-to-vent length of Sphenomorphus indicus is recorded at approximately 3.5 inches (about 8.89 cm). The tail is significantly longer, being almost twice the combined length of the head and body.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Indian forest skink look like?
Sphenomorphus indicus has a lacertiform body shape with smooth scales. Its tail is notably long, almost twice the length of its head and body. The coloration is typically brown or olive on its back, with darker sides that often have lighter margins and may feature scattered dark dots or light spots.
Where can the Indian forest skink be found?
The geographic distribution of Sphenomorphus indicus is extensive, spanning South and Southeast Asia. It is found in southern China (including Tibet and Hainan), Bangladesh, Bhutan, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, India (Darjeeling, Sikkim), and extending to West Malaysia and Indochina.
What is the typical habitat of Sphenomorphus indicus?
The name 'Indian forest skink' suggests a preference for forest environments. While specific details on its habitat type are not elaborated, its distribution across various Asian countries implies it occupies a range of forested ecosystems within those regions.
How large does Sphenomorphus indicus get?
The snout-to-vent length for Sphenomorphus indicus is recorded as 3.5 inches. The tail length is not precisely quantified in relation to the body's total length but is described as almost twice the length of the head and body.
What are the unique physical features of this skink?
Distinctive physical traits include its snout shape, which is short and obtuse, and the scaly nature of its lower eyelid. The arrangement of scales around the body, with 36 to 38 smooth scales, and the length of the hind limb relative to the body are also noted characteristics.
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