Sharma's mabuya facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sharma's mabuya |
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| Eutropis nagarjuni | |
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| Genus: |
Eutropis
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| Species: |
nagarjuni
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Sharma's mabuya (scientific name: Eutropis nagarjuni) is a type of skink. Skinks are small lizards with smooth, shiny scales. This skink lives in India. A scientist named Sharma first described it in 1969. He found it in the hills near Vijaypuri, by the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh.
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What Does Sharma's Mabuya Look Like?
Sharma's mabuya has some special features. These help scientists tell it apart from other skinks. For example, it looks different from a similar skink called Eutropis beddomei.
Key Features
- Nose Scales: Sharma's mabuya has two scales above its nose that are separated. Eutropis beddomei has these scales touching.
- Head Scales: The scales on the front of its head are separate. In Eutropis beddomei, they touch.
- Neck Scales: It has three pairs of special scales on its neck. Eutropis beddomei has only one pair.
- Nostril Scales: Sharma's mabuya has a small scale behind its nostril. Eutropis beddomei does not have this scale.
- Back Scales:' The scales on its back have 5 to 7 small ridges, like tiny keels. Eutropis beddomeis back scales have 3 to 5 ridges.
- Toe Pads: Under its fourth toe, it has 16 to 22 special pads called lamellae. Eutropis beddomei has fewer, about 12 to 15.
- Ear Opening:' Its ear opening is oval-shaped and quite large. It is about twice the size of the scales next to it. Eutropis beddomeis ear opening is round and smaller.
Color and Markings
Sharma's mabuya is usually dark brown or black. It has white stripes running along its back. There are three main stripes, with one in the middle of its back. These stripes become less clear near its tail.
The scales on its head are brown in the center with lighter edges. Its legs are dark brown on top. The underside of its body is white. Some of these skinks have an orange-red stripe on each side of their neck. This stripe might be different between males and females.
Where Does Sharma's Mabuya Live?
This skink was first found in the hills south of Vijaypuri. This area is located on the right bank of the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh, India.
Since then, scientists have found Sharma's mabuya in a few more places. These include the Nalgonda and Mahbubnagar districts, also in Andhra Pradesh.
Rediscovery
The very first specimen of this species, known as the "type specimen," was thought to be lost. But in 2007, scientists found it again! It was in the collections of the Zoological Survey of India. This was an important discovery for studying the species.
