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Trachylepis vittata (Banded Skink) #2


Trachylepis vittata (Banded Skink) #2
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3408 W: 148 N: 4196] (11036)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2002-04
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Nikon F2
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Cyprus Herpetofauna, Reptiles - Skinks 1 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-03-16 2:16
Viewed: 696
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 40
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Trachylepis vittata (Banded/Bridled Skink) [in Turk. Şeritli Kertenkele; in Cyp. Turk. " Bizaska"]

Banded skink is a diurnal, robust skink with a total length up to 20 cm (-females are usually slightly bigger than males-), or slightly longer, with well-developed relatively long extremities. However, it has a more slender body than the closely related species, T. aurata (Golden Skink) which is found sympatrically in some areas (such as W & S. Anatolia). Lower eyelid has a transparent scale. Dorsal scales are nearly equal in size. Nostril within a single plate; nuchal scales keeled; usually 32, rarely 31, 33 or 34 rows of tricarinate body scales around mid-trunk. Although the dorsal scales distinctly tricarinate, general appearance is smooth. The original tail is nearly one and half as long as the body, regenerated tails stay often shorter. It is extremely variable in both colour and pattern. The dorsum usually changes from olive green to brown, with three longitudinal lighter coloured bands (Click here to see typical pattern), the vertebral band wider than the laterals. Also a light coloured longitudinal stripe on each flank. There may be dark rough maculations between the bands. Some or all of the bands and stripes may be lacking (See the today posting), dorsum homogenously coloured without a pattern. The belly is yellowish-white or light green, without maculations. The juveniles possess a distinct striped pattern.

This species is active mainly early in the morning. It is difficult to approach, if disturbed, it hides very quickly. It lives in bushy-scrubby and rocky places of open areas or forests, hiding among the roots of bushes or under stones. Autotomy of the tail is well developed. It feeds on insects and other small invertebrates. Itraspecific predation (i.e., cannibalism) has also been reported. It is a ovoviviparous species, a female gives birth to 5-10 young in summer months.

It is known from N Africa (Algeria to Egypt), Turkey (W, S, and partly C Anataolia) and E Mediterranean countries (Israel, W Jordan, Lebanon, W. Syria, N Iraq & W Iran), including N and S Cyprus plus Rhodes; with a vertical distribution to 1000 m. Occurs everywhere in N Cyprus.

Bayram

Ps. This shot was scanned from a diapositive.
zulfu, mariki, nkasot, montivipera, gerbilratz, xTauruSx, jaycee, bahadir, Jamesp, rousettus, yasemin, cypturk has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To joey: Hello Joeboreocypriensis 1 03-17 01:23
To gracious: Hello Tonyboreocypriensis 1 03-17 00:30
To maurydv: Ciao Maurizioboreocypriensis 1 03-16 16:20
To Silvio2006: Ciao Silvioboreocypriensis 1 03-16 11:44
To mariki: Hello My Dear Friend Marieboreocypriensis 5 03-16 11:35
To vanderschelden: Hello Annickboreocypriensis 1 03-16 10:53
To Jamesp: Hello Jamesboreocypriensis 1 03-16 10:48
To matatur: Sağol Hocaboreocypriensis 1 03-16 10:47
To bahadir: Teşekkürboreocypriensis 1 03-16 10:45
To jaycee: hello Janeboreocypriensis 1 03-16 10:45
To xTauruSx: Teşekkürboreocypriensis 1 03-16 06:36
To SkyF: Hello Skyboreocypriensis 1 03-16 06:35
To gerbilratz: Hello Howardboreocypriensis 1 03-16 06:07
To nkasot: :) selamboreocypriensis 1 03-16 03:49
To zulfu: Teşekkürlerboreocypriensis 1 03-16 03:39
To Gert-Paassen: Hello Gertboreocypriensis 1 03-16 03:11
To montivipera: :) Selam Naşitboreocypriensis 1 03-16 02:55
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Critiques [Translate]

Merhabalar hocam

I think time has come for me to write something in here :) I have nothing to say technically for your works, with my very limited knowledge of photographing. Of course they are very good. Also they're really informative and "scientific" photos (I saw that some people doesn't know what does it means).
Besides the photos, I especially like your informations. I saw very valuable infos with every photo "Üsenmeden yazmıssınız hocam, helal olsun! :)"
For this photo; it's a good and informative photo of T. vittata, showing the lacking stripes (Is it a variation in this photo, or a juvenile pattern?)

Gorusmek uzere
Nasit

Hi Bayrm,

good of sharpness and great dof.
i prefer for myself an other pov and upon eye hight, bt for determination is this a good picture because you see the lines on his body.

regards gert

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 476 W: 0 N: 70] (491)
  • [2008-03-16 3:37]
  • [+]

Trachylepis'de ki geniş renk-desen varyasyonunu göstermek açısından da olsa, nefis bir görüntü almışsınız hocam. Detaylar, keskinlik ve pozlandırmada gördüğüm kadarıyla hoş bir hava yaratmışsınız. Fotoğrafı da verdiğiniz bilgi ışığında koyduğunuzu görmemmek mümkün değil. Elinize sağlık. Teşekkürler.
Mehmet

Hello Bayram,

Very nice picture of this skink. Good composition. Good sharpness. Nice natural colours.
Cheers,
Mariki

Hi my dear Supervisor from Cyprus:)
This shot is very impressive and splendid showing the variation seen in colour-pattern of the Banded Skink. Details, sharpnes and DOF is wonderful. Composition is well. TFS.
With my best wishes from Cyrus,
Regards,
Nazım

Lovely Skink...very nice markings and a good composition...excellent notes,

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2390 W: 194 N: 1991] (8113)
  • [2008-03-16 6:12]
  • [+]

Hello Bayram,
looks like we have a similar subject today :-).
You did a very nice job capturing this skink, one has to be patient to find one and than lucky if it stays still for a second.
Very nice results on the details, sharpness and presentation.
TFS..Sky

Mehaba hocam. Bugünkü resimde ayrı bir tatlılık var. anlatması biraz güç, ama öyle. Elinize sağlık. Dia tarama olmasına rağmen fazla bir kayıp yok gibi görünüyor. Teşekkürler.
Deniz

Hi Bayram,

Fascinating to see the difference between the various species of Skinks. Excellent pov to show off the beautifully colored stripes. The pattern on the head is interesting. This one's tail is as long as his body!! I have to add that again I love the feet.

Jane

Selam Hocam. Nefis bir çekim. Elinize sağlık.
Bahadır

A fine atypical color variant of a Banded Skink Bayram, the resolution loss stemming from a scanned dia quite evident but otherwise a good capture my friend.
Cheers,
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1210 W: 0 N: 4626] (13756)
  • [2008-03-16 10:31]
  • [+]

Hi Bayram

Lovely shot - good composition and POV with really nice colour. Well observed and captured.

James

Hello Bayram,
Is it physical impossible to interbreed with the Golden Skink?
TFS
Annick

Hi Bayram, an other splendid capture with wonderful details and excellent sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

Bellissima immagine, buona composizione ambientata, buoni i dettagli e belli i colori. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

Merhaba Bayram,
Your knowledge of Reptiles that sharing with us is much appreciated through your wonderful image and the most important informative notes that goes side by side with it!
a good image with clarity, natural colour and details in it
well done
Selam
tony

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1583 W: 242 N: 5286] (18629)
  • [2008-03-17 2:24]
  • [+]

Great image of this little Skink!
I love the smooth, shiny scales.
Superb sharpness and detail.
Excellent composition.
Informative notes.
Well done my friend.
Thanks,
Joe

Güzel bir kare, renkler, detaylar, herşey yerinde. Teşekkürler.

bu da cok guzel. pullari dahi belli. eline saglik. kibristada neler varmis neler. tesekkurler. Leyla

Cok guzel bu dayi.masum durmus. bilgiler gene cok yararli. eline saglik... Merih

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