General Description

Grey-brown skink with a red-brown flush towards the tail end. Some individuals are unpatterned above, others have two broad black stripes along the back with white or yellow spots in between. The sides are plain or mottled, with prominent black-edged pale spots. The under surface is white to light grey. On the head there is a pale streak running from above the mouth to the ear, passing under the eye. Snout to base of tail length up to 11 cm.

Biology

White's Skinks prefer rocky habitats with well-developed canopy cover. They are swift-moving and are active during the day. They can be found basking or foraging on rocky outcrops or sheltering in burrows under rock slabs or logs. If disturbed they quickly retreat. They feed on invertebrates. Females give birth to live young rather than laying eggs (i.e. they are viviparous). There are one to three offspring each brood.

Distribution

A wide geographic range in South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and southern Queensland.

Habitat

Rocky microhabitats near rock outcrops in open woodland, dry forests, and coastal heathlands.

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