Hosmer's spiny-tailed skink facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hosmer's spiny-tailed skink |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Egernia
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| Species: |
hosmeri
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The Hosmer's spiny-tailed skink (Egernia hosmeri) is a type of large skink. Skinks are a kind of lizard that belong to the family called Scincidae. This skink is active during the day (which means it's diurnal) and likes to live among rocks. You can find it in Northern Australia.
What Does It Look Like?
The Hosmer's spiny-tailed skink is mostly reddish-brown on its back. It has scattered darker and lighter spots along its back, legs, and tail. Its head and neck are a darker brown, and its belly is white. You might also see a few dark brown spots under its chin.
This skink can grow to about 180 millimeters (about 7 inches) long, not including its tail. Its tail is round and gets thinner towards the end. The tail is usually about 60% of its body length.
The Hosmer's spiny-tailed skink is closely related to the Cunningham's spiny-tailed skink (Egernia cunninghami). However, the Hosmer's skink has a tail that is flatter and has more spines than the Cunningham's skink.
Where Does It Live?
You can find the Hosmer's spiny-tailed skink in dry, rocky areas. It lives in parts of Queensland and the Northern Territory in Australia.
Reproduction
Like some other reptiles, the Hosmer's spiny-tailed skink gives birth to live young. This is called being viviparous. On average, a mother skink will have about four babies at a time.
What Does It Eat?
The Hosmer's spiny-tailed skink is an omnivore. This means it eats both plants and animals. Its diet includes insects, leaves, young plant shoots, and berries.
