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Chalcides ocellatus (Ocellated Skink)


Chalcides ocellatus (Ocellated Skink)
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3989 W: 153 N: 4799] (12714)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 1998-05
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Nikon F2
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Cyprus Herpetofauna, Syrian Herpetofauna, Turkish Herpetofauna, Reptiles - Skinks 1 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-03-21 3:15
Viewed: 687
Points: 54
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Chalcides ocellatus (Ocellated Skink) [in Turk. Benekli Kertenkele; in Cyp. Turk. “Bizaska”]

This skink is a rather stout, thick-necked glossy species with a total length up to 20 cm (even 30 cm in N Africa). Limbs were well-developed and fingers were not reduced. Eyes are of moderate size with well-developed movable eyelids: a transparent disc in lower eyelid. Rostral plate is in contact with nostrils which positoned over the suture between rostral and 1st labial plates; ear opening more or less distinct and triangular in shape. It is situated behind the commissure of the mouth. An average of 28-32 rows (ranging from 24 to 40) of smooth or slightly ridged scales around the midbody. Original tail is nearly equal to body length, however many animals posses a regenerated tail, which is usually shorter. The dorsum is light brown or gray, overlaid by blackish dark spots with white centers, i.e. “ocelli”, arranged in irregular cross-bands. This ocellated pattern is absent in some specimens and also in juveniles. The belly is immaculate, dirty white.

Ocellated skink is a diurnal, secretive terrestrial species. Typically it is found in sandy-pebbly places near beaches, grassy-scrubby slopes in lowlands and hides in crevices of stone walls or in holes in the ground; may also burrow swiftly in sand. It utilizes short and relatively weak limbs during slow motion, but also uses the agile, snake like movements of its body during more speedy locomotion. Food comprises a wide spectrum of invertebrates, depending on seasonal availability and habitat. A viviparous species, females give birth usually to 2-10 juveniles, occasionally more.

Its range includes N Africa, some Mediterranean islands, including Cyprus and W Asia (S Turkey -along with the coastal strip to Kusadasi, Izmir-, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates) with a vertical distribution to 1200 m. Numerious subspecies were described in its wide distribution area. However, it is represented with the nominate subspecies, Chalcides ocellatus ocellatus in Cyprus and adjacent mainland countries and encountered in Messoaria plateau frequently in Northern Cyprus. The local name “Bizaska” (“stripped”) is usually used for both Banded Skink (Trachylepis vitata) and Ocellated Skink (Chalcides ocellatus).

Bayram

Ps.This capture was scanned from a diapositive.
nkasot, xTauruSx, goldyrs, cicindela, Proframe, zulfu, bahadir, montivipera, jaycee, gerbilratz, nglen, Ishi, kmr13777, matatur, jpdenk, bahar, yasemin, cypturk has marked this note useful
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To bahar: Tekrar Selam Baharboreocypriensis 1 03-23 14:09
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Critiques [Translate]

Hocam Bizaskacık çok güzel görünüyor. Elinize sağlık. Selamlar,
Nazım

Hocam elinize sağlık yine güzel bir fotoğraf. İyi çalışmalar,
Deniz

Hi Bayram,

Beautiful skink, good of sharpness and lots of detail.
So many reptile's, in the Netherlands are there a few of them.

regards gert

Hey Bro Geckoman!
As ususal, a perfect shot!And the notes are very useful!
Cheers!
Goldy

Hello Bayram!
Skinks are really interesting creatures.They have lags but so short that in many species they looks really strange :)
Technique is really good as for me, especially if I see that you scanned diapositive! Bravo!
Thank you also for - as always - very informative note!
By the way, do you know the new series by David Attenborough entitled "Life in Cold Blood"? It is amazing documentary series about amphibians and reptiles! I strongly recommend you these 5 movies!
All the best from -still- winter Lodz!
Radek

Hi Bayram,

Very nice clear shot of the skink.
Love the wonderful details.

One of the reasons I like it so much here on TN is the fact that I do learn a lot about the nature world.
This image you did upload is no exception to that.
Thanks for the great note!!!

Best regards, Harry

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 527 W: 0 N: 95] (585)
  • [2008-03-21 5:12]

Nefis bir görüntü ve son derece yararlı bilgiler hocam. Elinize sağlık.
Mehmet

Mükemmel bir kare hocam. Elinize sağlık. Notlar her zamanki gibi harika. Teşekkürler.
Bahadır

Çok güzel bir çekim Hocam. Sayenizde yerel isimleri de öğreniyoruz. Bu isim (Bizaska) çok hoşuma gitti. Karakteristik olan ve "ocellatus" isminin verilme nedeni olan beyaz lekeler çok iyi görünüyor, elinize sağlık.
Saygılar
Naşit

Hi again Bayram, also this one is a superb view of a strange, excellent details and great sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1785 W: 8 N: 4627] (14955)
  • [2008-03-21 8:35]

Hi Bayram,

A perfect shot of this Skink with excellent details. Beautiful colors and skin markings. The little feet are adorable. Here I go with feet again.

Jane

nice! I know it from Israel and Egypt. have a nice weekend, Ori

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1691 W: 242 N: 5580] (19801)
  • [2008-03-21 11:40]

Hello Geckoman!
What a nice Skink you have captured here.
The speckled patterns on its back are very nice.
Once again you have photographed the smooth, shiny scales superbly!
Very sharp and detailed.
Great composition.
Well done my friend.

Joe

Hi Bayram, lovely skink, I really like the skinks you show, more unusual than lizards and a very interesting specie.

Good control of light shows the fine patterns to this animal's kin. TFS

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1991 W: 5 N: 5540] (20950)
  • [2008-03-21 12:42]

Hi Bayram. You discribe the skink so well in your interesting notes. you have captutred a good shot showing all the detail and markings so well. good use of the light to show his skin off . well done TFS.
Nick..

Have a nice Easter weekend.

  • Great 
  • Ishi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 103 W: 0 N: 499] (1890)
  • [2008-03-21 12:57]

Beautiful reptile and excellent picture, Bayram.

TFS!

Ishi

Hello Bayram,
Definitely a Skink:-)
Fascinating animal.
TFS
Annick

Ciao Bayram,
bella foto.
Conosco bene questa specie, ancora abbastanza diffusa qui in Sicilia, con la ssp. tiligugu.
In effetti, come tu notavi nella mia foto, c'è una certa differenza con la sottospecie nominale.
Buon weekend,
Marcello

Merhaba Bayram,
Selam!!
Very well captured of the Skink, you had managed the exposure and focus real well here to achieve the total sharpness, good colour and details in the shot!
we learned so much from your professional knowledge!
greeting once again
Tony

Hi Bayram,
Very fine details captured on a very beautiful animal. Great composition.

TFS
Kirti

Hello Bayram,

Very nice picture of this skink. Good compostition. Nice detail of the skin. Good light and natural colours.
Cheers,
Mariki

A good shot in slightly lower resolution than usual, thanks to the scanning process Bayram, I'm sure you have better images of this beautiful skink species with natural (unregenerated) tails. Hope to see a sample in the near future...
Mehmet

Hello Bayram,

A very nice photo of a beautiful little animal.

Thanks,
John

Buena Semana Santa para tí tambien si es que la celebras... aquí ya se sabe, uno puede ser de cualquier Religión jajaja.
Bonita toma de esa especie que ya te dije un día que desconocía. En general , excepto en algún punto, un buen control de la luz.
Saludos: J. Ignasi

  • Great 
  • bahar Silver Star Critiquer [C: 30 W: 0 N: 6] (46)
  • [2008-03-23 11:59]
  • [2] [+]

Merhabalar
Çekim çok güzel olmuş. Ayrıca her resim hakkında bolca bilgi veriyorsunuz. Bu dikkatimi çekti. Bu çok güzel ve önemli birşey. Paylaşımlarınız için tekrar tekrar teşekkür ederim.
İyi çalışmalar
Bahar

Bu kertenkeleyi gonyelide cok gorduydum. taslarin altinda. cok guzel cekmissin. Notlarin her zamanki gibi harika. ellerine saglik kardesim. Leyla

A splendid shot of this very shiny skined skink:) perfect shot... tfs... warm regards... cypturk

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