Pedra Branca skink facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pedra Branca skink |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Carinascincus
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| Species: |
palfreymani
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| Synonyms | |
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The Pedra Branca skink (scientific name: Carinascincus palfreymani) is a special kind of skink, which is a type of lizard. You might also hear it called the Palfreyman's window-eyed skink, the Pedra Branca cool-skink, or the red-throated skink. This skink is found only in Australia. It lives on a tiny, windy island called Pedra Branca off the coast of southern Tasmania. This island is very small, only about 2.5 hectares (6.2 acres). The skink depends a lot on the seabird colonies that live there. It's the only lizard species you'll find on the island.
Contents
Why it's Called Palfreyman's Skink
The second part of the skink's scientific name, palfreymani, is a way to honor someone. It was named after Mr. A.E. Palfreyman. He was the person who first collected some of these skinks for scientists to study.
What it Looks Like
Adult Pedra Branca skinks are usually between 6 to 10 centimeters (about 2.4 to 3.9 inches) long from their head to their body. They weigh around 14 grams (about 0.5 ounces). If a female skink is pregnant, she can weigh a bit more, up to 22 grams (about 0.8 ounces). Adult skinks are a shiny charcoal color, while younger skinks are a lighter shade.
How it Lives
What Pedra Branca Skinks Eat
The Pedra Branca skink mainly eats small invertebrates. These include insects, spiders, and isopods (like pill bugs). They have also been seen eating fish scraps. These scraps are often dropped or spit up by the seabirds on the island. Sometimes, they even eat seabird eggs. However, these special foods are only available to the skinks at certain times of the year.
Population and Predators
There are six different groups of Pedra Branca skinks living on the island. The total number of these lizards changes quite a bit. It can be anywhere from 250 to 600 skinks, depending on how much food is available. Silver gulls are a natural predator of the skinks. Recently, silver gull colonies have moved into areas where the skinks live. This has caused some skink groups to shrink in size.
Where They Live and How They Behave
Pedra Branca skinks live in small cracks and holes in the rocks. These rocky shelters protect them from strong winds, salty ocean spray, and big waves. Adult skinks will protect their burrows from other skinks trying to move in. They are only active and moving around when the air temperature is above 15°C (59°F).
Life Cycle and Reproduction
The Pedra Branca skink is a species that lives for a long time. They don't become adults and start having babies until they are about 6 to 8 years old. They can live for at least 10 years, and some might even live up to 15 years. Like most skinks found only in Tasmania, the Pedra Branca skink gives birth to live young, instead of laying eggs.
Status
The Pedra Branca skink is considered a vulnerable species. This means it's at risk of becoming endangered. There are several reasons for this. They live in a very small area, and they face many threats. These threats include being eaten by seabirds, changes in their food supply, and climate change. There's also a risk of new predators, like rats, arriving on the island.
