White's Skink

Appearance

The White's skink is a stocky slow-growing medium sized species, growing to a maximum snout-to-vent length of about 90 mm. That matures at ~75 mm in both sexes, this size is typically achieved at 3 years, but may be sooner within captivity.

They are variable in colour and pattern, some populations display no back pattern and/or lip stripes. Their base colours found on the central stripe range from grey, brown and red.

The sides of their body is patterned with black and white rosettes backgrounded with a grey/brown gradient. Their underbelly is a pale peachy orange which increases in colour intensity towards the tail and on the underside of the limbs.

Their back is patterned with three bars, the middle being solid brown, and parallel on either side two black bars with white spots towered in a single sequence that terminate at the base of the head and tail. Their head and tail are a colour, typically brown with no patterning and minimal scale outlining present.

Most specimens have black stripes on both sides of their lips that run from their yellow lined eye, down to a random speckling on the bottom of the chin. All individuals have varying lip patterns, and some do not have any at all.

Naming

The specific name, "whitii", is in honour of Irish surgeon and naturalist John White.Two subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.
⤷ "Egernia whitii moniligera"
⤷ "Egernia whitii whitii"

Behavior

"L. whitii" are a burrowing polygynous species, often digging or reusing complex tunnels. They live in small, sometimes temporary familial groups, with up to 5 females per male. However the females do sometimes mate with males outside the group.

They are a highly aggressive species that will viciously attack other individuals that they do not recognize or 'like' via scent. This includes outside females that the group could potentially include, making them very difficult to pair. Adults also will sometimes cannibalize rival juveniles they do not recognize, this includes tails.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of "L. whitii" are forest, shrubland, and rocky areas, at altitudes from sea level to 1,200 m. White's skinks prefer a habitat with rocks, shrubby heathland and minimal human environmental disturbance.

Reproduction

"L. whitii" are viviparous and give birth to live young. Females will mate in September-October and give birth in late January-February over a period of 2-10 days. Litter size ranges from 1-4.

Offspring are highly aggressive from the start and will fight amongst themselves to chase away their rival neonates from the group. Juveniles will stay within the protection their family/parent until they reach ~half the size of an adult. At this stage, the adult will chase the juvenile out of the group by attacking it on sight.

Food

Whites' Skinks are omnivorous, capable of eating meat, insects and plant matter.