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Earless skinks
Hemiergis - Wagler, 1830

Pronunciation: hem-ee-URGE-iss
 Etymology: 'half worker', in reference to the short limbs1

Taxonomic notes:

Notes:
Statistics: Reproductive modes:
Live-bearing - 6 out of 7 Australian species
Oviparous - 1 out of 7 Australian species

Size range:
Smallest Australian species: southwestern earless skink (Hemiergis initialis) at 5 cm
 Longest Australian species: south-western mulch-skink (Hemiergis gracilipes) at 9 cm
Number of Australian species: 7
 

three-toed earless skink (Hemiergis decresiensis)
Adelaide, South Australia
Photo © Jordan de Jong
three-toed earless skink (Hemiergis decresiensis) distribution range map Hemiergis decresiensis
Three-toed earless skink
Year described
(Cuvier 1829)
Description
Three fingers. Three toes.

south-western mulch-skink (Hemiergis gracilipes)
Lake Jasper, Western Australia
Photo © Jordan Vos
south-western mulch-skink (Hemiergis gracilipes) distribution range map Hemiergis gracilipes
South-western mulch-skink
Year described
(Steindachner 1870)
Description

southwestern earless skink (Hemiergis initialis)
Perth, Western Australia
Photo © Mark Sanders
southwestern earless skink (Hemiergis initialis) distribution range map Hemiergis initialis
Southwestern earless skink
Year described
Werner 1910
Description
5 fingers. 5 toes.

Triodia earless skink (Hemiergis millewae)
Eyre Peninsula, South Australia
Photo © Jordan de Jong
Triodia earless skink (Hemiergis millewae) distribution range map Hemiergis millewae
Triodia earless skink
Year described
Coventry 1976
Description
Five fingers. Five toes.

lowlands earless skink (Hemiergis peronii)
Coffin Bay, South Australia
Photo © Rob Valentic
lowlands earless skink (Hemiergis peronii) distribution range map Hemiergis peronii
Lowlands earless skink
Year described
(Gray 1831)
Description
H. peronii peronii has four fingers and toes. H. peronii tridactyla has three fingers and toes.

two-toed earless skink (Hemiergis quadrilineata)
Yalgorup, Western Australia
Photo © Mark Sanders
two-toed earless skink (Hemiergis quadrilineata) distribution range map Hemiergis quadrilineata
Two-toed earless skink
Year described
(Duméril & Bibron 1839)
Description
Two fingers. Two toes.

Eastern three-toed earless skink (Hemiergis talbingoensis)
Tom Groggin, New South Wales
Photo © Mark Sanders
Eastern three-toed earless skink (Hemiergis talbingoensis) distribution range map Hemiergis talbingoensis
Eastern three-toed earless skink
Year described
Copland 1946
Description
Three toes and three fingers. Lacks ear opening. Belly may be cream to yellow. Moveable eyelid with a transparent scale.

References
  1. Ehmann, Harald (1992). Encyclopedia of Australian animals: Reptiles. Angus and Robertson. 495 pp - search web for this book
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