Nangur spiny skink facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nangur spiny skink |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Nangura
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| Species: |
spinosa
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The Nangur spiny skink (scientific name: Nangura spinosa) is a special type of lizard. It is also known as the Nangur skink. This lizard lives in just two small areas of dry rainforest in South East Queensland, Australia.
It's a very rare animal. Scientists first described it in 1993. For a while, it was placed in a different group, but it was moved back to its original group, Nangura, in 2018.
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About the Nangur Spiny Skink
The Nangur spiny skink is a unique lizard. It gets its name from the spiny scales that cover its body. These scales might help protect it from predators.
Where the Skink Lives
This skink lives in a very small area. It is found in two separate patches of dry rainforest. One area is in Nangur National Park. The other is in Oakview National Park and Oakview State Forest.
The total area where this skink could live is only about 42 square kilometers. But the skinks actually live in an even smaller space, less than 4 square kilometers. This makes their home very tiny.
What Makes This Skink Special?
The Nangur spiny skink has some interesting features. Like some other lizards, it is live-bearing. This means the mother gives birth to live young, instead of laying eggs.
It also has a unique number of chromosomes. Most related skinks have 30 chromosomes, but the Nangur spiny skink has 28. This is a small but important difference.
Another special thing about this skink is how it lives. It digs burrows in the ground. These burrows are often found in small groups, like little neighborhoods. Scientists have even seen adult skinks sharing burrows with young skinks. This suggests that parents might take care of their babies.
Why the Nangur Spiny Skink Is in Danger
The Nangur spiny skink is in serious trouble. It is listed as a critically endangered species. This means it is very close to disappearing forever. There are fewer than 200 of these skinks left in the wild.
Threats to Its Survival
Several things are putting the Nangur spiny skink at risk:
- Invasive Animals: Animals that are not native to Australia are a big problem. These include cats, pigs, dogs, and foxes. They can hunt and eat the skinks. Cane toads are also a threat.
- Invasive Plants: A plant called Lantana camara is growing too much in the skink's habitat. This plant makes it easier for fires to start. It also changes the forest, making it harder for the skinks to live there.
- Human Activities: In some areas, logging (cutting down trees) and road maintenance can harm the skink's home. These activities can destroy their burrows and change their habitat.
Protecting the Nangur spiny skink is very important. Efforts are being made to save its habitat and control the threats it faces.
