Description

Usually having: 5 supraciliary scales; 24 midbody scale rows; 45 paravertebral scales; 19 smooth fourth toe subdigital lamellae; 8 palmar scales; 10 plantar scales; rounded, plain plantar scales.
"reddish, irregularly speckled body pattern."1 - Horner, Paul (2007). Systematics of the snake-eyed skinks, Cryptoblepharus Wiegmann (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae) - an Australian-based review. The Beagle, Suppl. 3:21-198.

Similar species

Looks like blotched snake-eyed skink (Cryptoblepharus megastictus).

Sympatric with:
Inland snake-eyed skink (Cryptoblepharus australis)
Metallic snake-eyed skink (Cryptoblepharus metallicus)

Taxonomic notes

This species was described by Horner in 2007.1 - Horner, Paul (2007). Systematics of the snake-eyed skinks, Cryptoblepharus Wiegmann (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae) - an Australian-based review. The Beagle, Suppl. 3:21-198.
Split from blotched snake-eyed skink (Cryptoblepharus megastictus).1 - Horner, Paul (2007). Systematics of the snake-eyed skinks, Cryptoblepharus Wiegmann (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae) - an Australian-based review. The Beagle, Suppl. 3:21-198.

Range

Rocky ranges of the southern gulf region of northern Australia.

Found in the following Australian states/territories

Northern Territory, Queensland

Habitat

Rock-dwelling.

Natural history

Diet

Conservation status

This species does not appear to be listed as of conservation concern.

General threats

General threats to reptiles, and indeed all native wildlife, include:

• habitat loss from land clearing - it is estimated that between 1997 and 1999 in Queensland, 89 million reptiles were killed each year due to land clearing (Cogger et al. 2003) Impacts of Land Clearing on Australian Wildlife in Queensland.
• habitat degradation by introduced species such as cattle and rabbits - do your bit: eat roo not beef!
• habitat modification caused by global climate change
• death on roads
• feral predators such as dogs, cats, pigs and foxes
• the introduced cane toad
• emerging diseases

Note: these are general threats and may not apply to this particular species.

How you can help

There are many ways you can help our reptiles. Here are my top three suggestions:

1. donate to a habitat restoration organisation
2. ensure your carbon footprint is as small as possible
3. donate to another habitat restoration organisation

References

1. Horner, Paul (2007). Systematics of the snake-eyed skinks, Cryptoblepharus Wiegmann (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae) - an Australian-based review. The Beagle, Suppl. 3:21-198. - search web for this article

 

Additional links

Note: the links below are automatically generated. Some may not take you to useful information.

• Google searches - web | images | scholar
• Search The University of Michigan's Animal Diversity Web
• Search Wikipedia for Cryptoblepharus zoticus
• Agile snake-eyed skink at The TIGR Reptile Database