Chernov's skink facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chernov's skink |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ablepharus
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| Species: |
chernovi
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| Subspecies | |
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Four, see text. |
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| Synonyms | |
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Chernov's skink (Ablepharus chernovi) is a small, smooth-scaled lizard. It belongs to the Scincidae family, which is a group of lizards often called "skinks." This special skink is found only in certain parts of northern Eurasia.
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Where Does Chernov's Skink Live?
Chernov's skink is native to several countries. You can find it in Armenia, eastern Turkey, and northern Syria. It also lives in the valleys of the Arax River and the Hrazdan River in the Caucasus region. Some sightings in Syria might actually be a different skink species called A. rueppellii.
What Kind of Places Do They Like?
Chernov's skinks prefer certain natural habitats. They like to live in grasslands, areas with lots of shrublands, and forests. These skinks are found at different heights, from about 500 meters (1,640 feet) up to 2,200 meters (7,218 feet) above sea level.
How Is Chernov's Skink Protected?
The conservation status of an animal tells us how much it is at risk. Chernov's skink was listed in the Red Data Book of the USSR in 1984. This book helps protect rare and endangered species. Three years later, in 1987, it was also added to Armenia's Red Data Book. This shows that people are working to keep this skink safe.
How Did Chernov's Skink Get Its Name?
The specific name for this skink, chernovi, is a special way to honor someone. It was named after a Russian herpetologist (a scientist who studies reptiles and amphibians) named Sergius Alexandrovich Chernov.
What Are the Subspecies of Chernov's Skink?
Sometimes, a species can have different groups within it called subspecies. These groups are slightly different from each other. There are four recognized subspecies of Ablepharus chernovi. One of these is the original group, called the nominotypical subspecies.
- Ablepharus chernovi chernovi Darevsky, 1953
- Ablepharus chernovi eiselti J.F. Schmidtler, 1997
- Ablepharus chernovi isauriensis J.F. Schmidtler, 1997
- Ablepharus chernovi ressli J.F. Schmidtler, 1997
How Do Chernov's Skinks Reproduce?
Chernov's skink is an oviparous animal. This means that the female skink lays eggs. An adult female can lay a clutch (a group of eggs) of up to four eggs. This usually happens in June.
