Nick Volpe
Prickly Forest Skink (Gnypetoscincus queenslandiae)
Prickly Forest Skink (Gnypetoscincus queenslandiae)
The exact opposite of what you think of in a skink!
Australia has over 460 species of skinks and this is one of most unique! Unlike most skinks that are actively chasing the sun to bask for energy, the Prickly Forest Skink is a thigmatherm and operates at the temperature of the cool rainforest floor. In fact, it actively avoids the sun by living under fallen logs during the day and foraging at nights.
The genus name of 'Gnypetoscincus' literally translates to the skinks intolerance to heat and its common name 'prickly' refers to its rough keeled scales. The restricted lifestyle of this skink means that they are seldom seen in the dense rainforests of Northern Queensland.
Prickly Forest Skink (Gnypetoscincus queenslandiae)
Prickly Forest Skink (Gnypetoscincus queenslandiae)
The exact opposite of what you think of in a skink!
Australia has over 460 species of skinks and this is one of most unique! Unlike most skinks that are actively chasing the sun to bask for energy, the Prickly Forest Skink is a thigmatherm and operates at the temperature of the cool rainforest floor. In fact, it actively avoids the sun by living under fallen logs during the day and foraging at nights.
The genus name of 'Gnypetoscincus' literally translates to the skinks intolerance to heat and its common name 'prickly' refers to its rough keeled scales. The restricted lifestyle of this skink means that they are seldom seen in the dense rainforests of Northern Queensland.