LIZARDS OF THE WET TROPICS

Northern Red-throated Skink, Carlia rubrigularis

DISTRIBUTION:

North-eastern Queensland, from Cooktown south to Townsville.

HABITAT:

Rainforest and wet sclerophyll forests and their margins, especially edge habitats beside tracks, clearings and streams.

DESCRIPTION (from Cogger, 1992; Wilson and Knowles, 1988):

A smallish dark grey brown skink, adults with a rich red flush to the sides of the neck. The dorsal surface features numerous scattered darker and paler flecks. Sometimes there is a narrow pale dorso-lateral stripe that commences over the eye and extends to the tail in females. This strip is absent or present only anteriorly in adult males. The flanks are darker and are finely speckled with black and pale brown. Sometimes there is a pale mid-lateral stripe present. The head is paler than the body, usually a rich bronze-brown. The ventral surface is whitish. The lower eyelid features a transparent disc, roughly equal in size to the ear opening. SVL = 50mm.

BREEDING:

Oviparous - mating has been observed in September, though males are in reproductive condition year-round. Females are generally gravid from September to April although they may also be reproductively active year round. One or two eggs are laid, sometimes communally.

DIET:

Forages in leaf litter, on fallen logs and tree buttresses for invertebrates. May also prey on small skinks including members of its own species.

NOTES:

Heliothermic - quick to exploit transient sun patches, flattening body considerably to intercept maximum radiation. Routinely exhibits tail-waving behaviour whilst foraging.

REFERENCES:

Cogger, H. G. 1992. Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. Reed Books, Sydney.

Ehmann, H. 1992. Encyclopedia of Australian Animals. Angus and Robertson, Sydney.

Ingram, G. J. and Covacevich, J. 1989. Revision of the genus Carlia (Reptilia; Scincidae) in Australia with comments on Carlia bicarinata of New Guinea. Mem. Qld. Mus. 27: 443-490.

Nix, H. and Switzer, M. A. 1991. Rainforest Animals: Atlas of the Vertebrates Endemic to Australia's Wet Tropics. Kowari, Canberra.

Torr, G. A. 1994. Combat behaviour in the rainforest skink Carlia rubrigularis. Herpetofauna 24: 40.

Wilson, S. K. and Knowles, D. G. 1988. Australia's Reptiles; a photographic reference to the terrestrial reptiles of Australia. Collins, Sydney.

Prepared by: Geordie Torr, Dept. of Zoology, James Cook University, QLD 4811, Australia.

Geordie.Torr1@jcu.edu.au

Last updated: May, 1995.