Green tree skink
This animal lives at Colchester Zoo in Essex.
The green tree skink is also known as the emerald tree skink.
Most individuals are bright lime green, though some may have brown or black speckling, especially on the hind limbs or lower body. Juveniles often start with a bronze or brown coloration, gradually turning green as they mature.
They typically measures 8.5 to 10 in. (18 to 25 cm) in total length, with the tail making up roughly two-thirds of its body. They have large black eyes rimmed with yellow, and small, visible small ear openings in between their snout and angular forelimbs. They have a thick body with a sharply tapered head, smooth round scales, and long toes with small claws for climbing. Males can be distinguished by a yellow base on the rear foot, which females lack.
Green tree skinks are native to Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands, and are also found on smaller islands in the Indo-Australian archipelago.
They spend most of their time in the treetops, preferring bare tree trunks without climbing plants. They are frequently found in palm plantations in coastal areas or on small islands with minimal vegetation
These skinks are always on the move and are active climbers, using adhesive lamellae on their toes and long tails for balance. They are capable of autotomy, shedding their tail to escape predators such as birds of prey and snakes. The detached tail continues to move when dropped, which is thought to provide sufficient distraction for the skink to escape its predator.
Green tree skinks are primarily carnivorous, feeding on insects and other small invertebrates, though they may occasionally eat small amounts of fruit and leafy plants.
It is a species which lays eggs rather than bearing live young like most members of the skink family do. Clutches of between 9 and 14 eggs are laid which incubate for between 69 and 100 days before hatching. Their lifespan is 4 years in the wild and up to 12 years in captivity
It is a non-threatened species, however, it is becoming popular in the exotic pet trade.
Green tree skink
This animal lives at Colchester Zoo in Essex.
The green tree skink is also known as the emerald tree skink.
Most individuals are bright lime green, though some may have brown or black speckling, especially on the hind limbs or lower body. Juveniles often start with a bronze or brown coloration, gradually turning green as they mature.
They typically measures 8.5 to 10 in. (18 to 25 cm) in total length, with the tail making up roughly two-thirds of its body. They have large black eyes rimmed with yellow, and small, visible small ear openings in between their snout and angular forelimbs. They have a thick body with a sharply tapered head, smooth round scales, and long toes with small claws for climbing. Males can be distinguished by a yellow base on the rear foot, which females lack.
Green tree skinks are native to Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands, and are also found on smaller islands in the Indo-Australian archipelago.
They spend most of their time in the treetops, preferring bare tree trunks without climbing plants. They are frequently found in palm plantations in coastal areas or on small islands with minimal vegetation
These skinks are always on the move and are active climbers, using adhesive lamellae on their toes and long tails for balance. They are capable of autotomy, shedding their tail to escape predators such as birds of prey and snakes. The detached tail continues to move when dropped, which is thought to provide sufficient distraction for the skink to escape its predator.
Green tree skinks are primarily carnivorous, feeding on insects and other small invertebrates, though they may occasionally eat small amounts of fruit and leafy plants.
It is a species which lays eggs rather than bearing live young like most members of the skink family do. Clutches of between 9 and 14 eggs are laid which incubate for between 69 and 100 days before hatching. Their lifespan is 4 years in the wild and up to 12 years in captivity
It is a non-threatened species, however, it is becoming popular in the exotic pet trade.