Ocellated skink

Chalcides ocellatus

''Chalcides ocellatus'', or ocellated skink is a species of skink found in Greece, southern Italy, Malta, and parts of northern Africa. UAE, Israel, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka.
Chalcides ocellatus  Chalcides ocellatus,Geotagged,Israel,Winter

Appearance

As an adult, it generally reaches about 15 to 30 cm of length with a 22 to 39 g weight and has a small head, cylindrical body, and five toes on each foot. They are very agile and are often found in arid areas. ''C. ocellatus'' is notable for the presence of ocelli and for its wide variety of coloration patterns.

Naming

It is strongly related to ''Chalcides colosii'', and ''C. colosii'' was formerly considered a subspecies of ''C. ocellatus''.

Habitat

''Chalcides ocellatus'' is considered to be a generalist species and can be found in a wide variety of environments, such as farmland and gravel deserts around the Mediterranean coast. Its main escape tactic from predators is to run behind vegetation, most likely because it is not suited to run very fast. Its limbs are somewhat short, but not adapted for fossorial movement.

Reproduction

Females of the species give birth to 2-6 live young through viviparity.

Food

It preys on various insects, including those with hard exoskeletons, arachnids, and small lizards, including its own young. In captivity it also eats sweet fruits, boiled eggs and pieces of meat.

References:

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Status: Unknown
EX EW CR EN VU NT LC
Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassReptilia
OrderSquamata
FamilyScincidae
GenusChalcides
SpeciesC. ocellatus
Photographed in
Israel