Fire Skink
Fire skink is a species of large skink native to Western Africa. The species is diurnal and is known to be shy and reclusive. It is primarily insectivorous.
Kingdom | Animalia |
Phylum | Chordata |
Class | Reptilia |
Order | Squamata |
Family | Scincidae |
Subfamily | Scincinae |
Genus | Lepidothyris |
Scientific Name | Lepidothyris fernandi |
Other Names | True Fire Skink, Togo Fire Skink, African Fire Skink |
Size | Up to 37 cm |
Color | Bright red with black and white spots along the sides; back is bronze to golden while the tail is black with tiny white spots |
Distribution | Guinea, East of Zaire, Uganda, Angola, Kenya |
Habitat | Rainforests, open woodlands and scrub along the edges of grasslands |
Diet | Insects like crickets |
Breeding Season | Early spring to middle of Autumn |
Mode of Reproduction | Oviparous (egg laying) |
Clutch Size | 5 to 9 eggs |
Incubation Period | 40 to 50 days |
Average Lifespan | 15 to 20 years |
IUCN Conservation Status | Not Evaluated |