Chilka spotted skink facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chilka spotted skink |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Barkudia
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| Species: |
insularis
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The Barkudia insularis, also known as the Chilka spotted skink or Madras spotted skink, is a very rare and critically endangered lizard. It's quite unique because it's a skink that has no legs! This amazing creature was first described in 1917 by a scientist named Nelson Annandale. For many years, people thought it might be gone forever, but it was excitingly found again in the wild in 2003.
This special lizard looks a lot like a large earthworm. It spends most of its life hidden underground in the soil. Scientists believe it probably eats small bugs and other tiny creatures that live in the ground, like arthropods.
Meet the Chilka Spotted Skink
The Chilka spotted skink is a fascinating animal because it's a lizard without limbs. This means it moves by wiggling its body, much like a snake or an earthworm. It has a pointed snout that helps it dig through loose earth. Its body is long and smooth, which is perfect for burrowing.
This skink is light brown on top, and each scale has a small dot. These dots create faint lines along its back and tail. Its underside is whitish. The top of its head often has some brown clouding.
Where Does This Skink Live?
When the Chilka spotted skink was first discovered, scientists believed it only lived in the mangrove areas near Barkuda Island. This island is located in Chilka Lake in Odisha, India. Chilka Lake is a huge saltwater lagoon, which is a type of shallow lake connected to the sea.
However, more recent observations have shown that this skink might live in a slightly larger area within Odisha. This is good news, as it means there might be more of these rare lizards than previously thought.
A Rare Discovery: Its History
The very first Chilka spotted skink ever found was dug up from loose earth in 1917. It was found near the roots of a large banyan tree on Barkuda Island. Since then, there have been only a few times when this skink has been seen.
- 1917: The first discovery on Barkuda Island.
- 1979: An observation was made at the Nandankanan Zoological Park.
- 2003: The skink was rediscovered on Barkuda Island after many years.
- 2022: A skink was seen near a place called Buguda. This was a very important moment because it was the first time a live Chilka spotted skink was ever photographed! This photo helps scientists learn more about this secretive creature.
