General Description
Dark brown to black above with lighter brown flecks. May have a pale stripe along the back. Distinct yellow-gold stripe on the side. The underside is light to mid grey. Ear openings small but conspicuous. Snout to base of tail length up to 6.5 cm. The tail is longer than the body.
Biology
This species is tree-dwelling or rock-dwelling. They are found on standing or fallen dead trees or cracks and crevices of rock outcrops. Females give birth to one to two live young at a time. The species is diurnal (ie. active during the day) and is found basking, even when the air temperature is very low.
Distribution
Highlands of south-eastern mainland Australia, with outlying populations in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, and Gisborne and the Otway Ranges in Victoria.
Habitat
Restricted to dead trees or rocky outcrops in montane, wet sclerophyll forest and rocky outcrops in subalpine woodlands.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Brief Id
A small dark brown skink with golden stripes and speckles on its back and sides. Often seen basking on dead trees or rocks.
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Colours
Brown, Black, Yellow, Grey, White, Gold
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Maximum Size
15 cm
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Habitats
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When Active
Diurnal
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Diet
Omnivore
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Endemicity
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Commercial
No
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Conservation Statuses
CITES: Not listed, DSE Advisory List: Not listed, EPBC Act 1999: Not listed, IUCN Red List: Not listed
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Taxon Name
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Scientific Author
(Lucas & Frost, 1894)
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Common Name
Trunk-climbing Cool-skink
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Kingdom
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Phylum
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Subphylum
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Class
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Subclass
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Order
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Suborder
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Infraorder
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Family
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Genus
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Species Name
spenceri