Wedge-snouted skink

Chalcides sepsoides

The wedge-snouted skink is a common and widespread species of skink in the family Scincidae. It is found in Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Libya, and the Palestinian territories.
Sphenops sepsoides this skink's legs are nearly degenerated - it prefers to crawl in the sand like a snake... it still has 4 legs, but small and weak ones.  Chalcides sepsoides,Geotagged,Israel,Summer,Wedge-snouted skink

Status

The species is threatened by habitat loss, overgrazing, and commercial collection, although none of these threats are considered to be very serious, and the species population is stable.
Chalcides sepsoides  Chalcides sepsoides,Geotagged,Israel,Summer,Wedge-snouted skink

Behavior

"C. sepsoides" is subarenaceous, and it moves very efficiently by "swimming" under the sand. In fact, it is rarely seen about the ground, and a common method of capturing specimens is to dig through sand dunes near the bases of bushes; this is because its main escape tactic is to dive into the sand. Its limbs are greatly reduced as an adaptation to this fossorial movement. As a result, it is often considered to be a sand specialist.
Sphenops sepsoides 9 years ago I went on a special night-hike in the sands, to see desert night life.... Chalcides sepsoides,Geotagged,Israel,Summer,Wedge-snouted skink

Habitat

Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland, freshwater springs, hot deserts, and sandy shores. "S. sepsoides" is a viviparous species, and it is nocturnal during the summer and diurnal during the winter.

References:

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