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SKINK
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Skinks are the most diverse group of lizards. They make up the family Scincidae which shares the superfamily or infraorder Scincomorpha with several other lizard families, including Lacertidae (the "true" or wall lizards). Scincidae is the largest of the lizard families with about 1,200 species.
Skinks look roughly like true lizards, but most species have no pronounced neck and relatively small legs. Several genera (e.g., Typhlosaurus) have no limbs at all, others, such as Neoseps, have only reduced limbs. Often, their way of moving resembles that of snakes more than that of other lizards. Skinks usually have long, tapering tails that can be shed and regenerated.
Most skinks are medium sized with a maximum length from the snout to the vent of some 12 cm, although there are a few that grow to larger sizes, such as the Corucia, which can reach 35 cm from snout to vent.
Skinks are generally carnivorous and largely eat insects, including crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, and caterpillars. They also eat spiders, earthworms, snails, slugs, isopods, other lizards, and small rodents. Some species, particularly those favored as home pets, have a more varied diet and can be maintained on a regimen of roughly 60% vegetables/leaves/fruit and 40% meat and meat products.
Skinks are found in a variety of habitats worldwide. Some species are endangered.
Many species are good burrowers. There are more terrestrial or fossorial (burying) species than arboreal (tree-climbing) or aquatic species. Some are "sand swimmers", especially the desert species, such as the Mole skink in Florida. Most skinks are diurnal, so they are active during the day. They like to crawl out on rocks or logs to bask (soak up heat from the sun) during the day.
During the breeding season, some types of skink will exhibit orange or red markings to indicate sexual maturity. About 55% of the skinks are oviparous, that is, they lay eggs in small clutches. The other 45% are ovoviviparous, giving birth to living offspring. Raccoons, foxes, opossums, snakes and hawks all prey on skinks. |
ramthakur, nglen, cicindela, mesquens has marked this note useful
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- trinko
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 610 W: 83 N: 324]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(4310) - [2007-05-11 9:48]
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good focus interesting colors/lighting nice expression on the lizard
nice one, TFS Ori
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- joey
(19923)
- [2007-05-11 10:55]
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Hi Sumon,
excellant clarity on this shot with detail and a great composition.
Well done,
Joey
Good to see you back, Sumon.
I have seen quite a bit of this lizard in India. However, this one seems to be the most attractive by virtue of those lovely patterns and designs on its sleek body.
A very well captured image with sharp focus and immaculate details.
TFS and take care.
Hi Sumon, splendid lizard with great sharpness, excellent light and colors, very well done, have a nice week end, ciao Silvio
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- nglen
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1995 W: 5 N: 5588]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(21102) - [2007-05-11 17:42]
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Hi sumon. He looks like he is made of gold.the focus and sharp detail are very good . and a nice pov. very well done.TFS Nick..
Dear Sumon!
I do not not why I overlooked this beauty portrait of lizard. Fantastic details and warm colours make a great composition here. On the other hand it is a pitty that some part of lizard was cutted but I still like this photo :)
TFS and best greetings,
Radomir
Hi Sumon,
Great shot, beautiful BG and very weel done framing.I love this picture, sharpness and POV perfect.
Cheers
Raimundo
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1714 W: 24 N: 4988]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}