West Canary skink facts for kids
Quick facts for kids West Canary skink |
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The West Canary skink (Chalcides viridanus) is a type of lizard that lives in the Canary Islands. People also call it the Canaryan cylindrical skink or the Tenerife skink. This skink is special because it is endemic to these islands. This means it is found nowhere else in the world! It belongs to the family called Scincidae, which includes many different kinds of skinks.
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Habitat: Where West Canary Skinks Live
West Canary skinks can live in many different places. They like temperate forests and shrublands. You can also find them in dry, subtropical areas. They enjoy places with Mediterranean-type plants.
These skinks also live in temperate grasslands and rocky areas. They are often seen near rocky or sandy shores. Sometimes, they even live on arable land (farms), pastureland, or in gardens. You might even spot them in urban areas, like cities and towns! They can live at high altitudes, up to about 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) above sea level.
What Does the West Canary Skink Look Like?
The West Canary skink can grow to be about 18 centimeters (7 inches) long. This measurement includes its body and its tail.
Skink Behavior
West Canary skinks are active during the day and around sunset. They are busy when the sun is out or when it's starting to get dark. Their daily life and what they need to survive are very similar to another type of skink, the Gran Canaria skink.
Reproduction: How Skinks Have Babies
The West Canary skink is viviparous. This means that the mother skink gives birth to live young. The babies develop inside the mother's body, just like many mammals do. They do not hatch from eggs laid outside the body.
Where Are West Canary Skinks Found?
You can find the West Canary skink on several of the Canary Islands. These include Tenerife, El Hierro, Roque de Garachico, and Roque de Agna.
