Skinks are a type of

lizard Lizard is the common name used for all Squamata, squamate reptiles other than snakes (and to a lesser extent amphisbaenians), encompassing over 7,000 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica, as well as most Island#Oceanic isla ...

belonging to the

family Family (from ) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictabili ...

Scincidae, a family in the

infraorder Order () is one of the eight major hierarchical taxonomic ranks in Linnaean taxonomy. It is classified between Family_(biology), family and Class_(biology), class. In biological classification, the order is a taxonomic rank used in the classific ...

Scincomorpha Scincomorpha is an infraorder and clade of lizards including skinks (Scincidae) and their close relatives. These include the living families Cordylidae (girdled lizards), Gerrhosauridae (plated lizards), and Xantusiidae (night lizards), as well a ...

. With more than 1,500 described

species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...

across 100 different taxonomic genera, the family Scincidae is one of the most diverse families of lizards. Skinks are characterized by their smaller legs in comparison to typical lizards and are found in different habitats except arctic and subarctic regions.

Etymology

The word ''skink'', which entered the English language around 1580–1590, comes from

classical Greek Ancient Greek (, ; ) includes the forms of the Greek language used in ancient Greece and the ancient world from around 1500 BC to 300 BC. It is often roughly divided into the following periods: Mycenaean Greek (), Dark Ages (), the Archa ...

and Latin , names that referred to various specific lizards.

Description

Skinks look like lizards of the family

Lacertidae The Lacertidae are the family of the wall lizards, true lizards, or sometimes simply lacertas, which are native to Afro-Eurasia. It is a diverse family with at about 360 species in 39 genera. They represent the dominant group of reptiles found ...

(sometimes called ''true lizards''), but most species of skinks have no pronounced neck and relatively small legs. Several genera (e.g., ''

Typhlosaurus ''Typhlosaurus'' is a genus of African lizards, one of a number of genera of limbless lizards in the skink family ( Scincidae). In 2010 this group was revised, and most species formerly attributed to ''Typhlosaurus'' were placed in the genus ''Ac ...

'') have no limbs at all. This is not true for all skinks, however, as some species such as the

red-eyed crocodile skink ''Tribolonotus gracilis'', commonly known as the red-eyed crocodile skink or New Guinea crocodile skink, is a species of skink that is endemic to New Guinea, where it lives in tropical rainforest habitats. It was first described by Nelly de Roo ...

have a head that is very distinguished from the body. These lizards also have legs that are relatively small proportional to their body size. Skinks' skulls are covered by substantial bony scales, usually matching up in shape and size, while overlapping. Other genera, such as ''

Neoseps The Florida sand skink (''Plestiodon reynoldsi'') is a species of lizard in the Family (biology), family Scincidae, the skinks. It is endemism, endemic to Florida in the United States. Taxonomy and etymology It was described as a new genus and n ...

'', have reduced limbs and fewer than five

toe Toes are the digits of the foot of a tetrapod. Animal species such as cats that walk on their toes are described as being ''digitigrade''. Humans, and other animals that walk on the soles of their feet, are described as being ''plantigrade''; ...

s ( digits) on each foot. In such species, their locomotion resembles that of

snake Snakes are elongated limbless reptiles of the suborder Serpentes (). Cladistically squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales much like other members of the group. Many species of snakes have s ...

s more than that of lizards with well-developed limbs. As a general rule, the longer the digits, the more arboreal the species is likely to be. A biological ratio can determine the ecological niche of a given skink species. The Scincidae ecological niche index (SENI) is a ratio based on anterior foot length at the junction of the ulna/radius-carpal bones to the longest digit divided by the snout-to-vent length. Most species of skinks have long, tapering tails they can shed if predators grab onto them. Such species generally can regenerate the lost part of a tail, though imperfectly. A lost tail can grow back within around three to four months. Species with stumpy tails have no special regenerative abilities. Some species of skinks are quite small; ''

Scincella lateralis ''Scincella lateralis'', formerly Lygosoma laterale is a small species of skink found throughout much of the eastern half of the United States, and into northern Mexico. The ground skink differs from the majority of North American lizard species ...

'' typically ranges from , more than half of which is the tail. Most skinks, though, are medium-sized, with snout-to-vent lengths around , although some grow larger; the

Solomon Islands skink The Solomon Islands skink (''Corucia zebrata''), also known as prehensile-tailed skink, monkey-tailed skink, giant skink, zebra skink, and monkey skink, is an arboreal species of skink endemic to the Solomon Islands archipelago. It is the larg ...

(''Corucia zebrata'') is the largest known extant species and may attain a snout-to-vent length of some . Skinks can often hide easily in their habitat because of their protective colouring (camouflage).

Blood color

Skinks in the genus ''

Prasinohaema ''Prasinohaema'' ( Greek: "green blood") is a genus of skinks characterized by having green blood. This condition is caused by an excess buildup of the bile pigment biliverdin. ''Prasinohaema'' species have plasma biliverdin concentrations app ...

'' have green blood because of a buildup of the waste product

biliverdin Biliverdin (from the Latin for green bile) is a green tetrapyrrolic bile pigment, and is a product of heme catabolism.Boron W, Boulpaep E. Medical Physiology: a cellular and molecular approach, 2005. 984–986. Elsevier Saunders, United States. ...

Evolutionary history

The oldest known skink is '' Electroscincus zedi'' described from the mid-Cretaceous (late

Albian The Albian is both an age (geology), age of the geologic timescale and a stage (stratigraphy), stage in the stratigraphic column. It is the youngest or uppermost subdivision of the Early Cretaceous, Early/Lower Cretaceous epoch (geology), Epoch/s ...

to early

Cenomanian The Cenomanian is, in the International Commission on Stratigraphy's (ICS) geological timescale, the oldest or earliest age (geology), age of the Late Cretaceous epoch (geology), Epoch or the lowest stage (stratigraphy), stage of the Upper Cretace ...

)

Burmese amber Burmese amber, also known as Burmite or Kachin amber, is amber from the Hukawng Valley in northern Myanmar. The amber is dated to around 100 million years ago, during the latest Albian to earliest Cenomanian ages of the mid-Cretaceous period. Th ...

from

Myanmar Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; and also referred to as Burma (the official English name until 1989), is a country in northwest Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia and has ...

, dating to around . Based on the presence of

osteoderms Osteoderms are bony deposits forming scales, plates, or other structures based in the dermis. Osteoderms are found in many groups of Extant taxon, extant and extinct reptiles and amphibians, including lizards, crocodilians, frogs, Temnospondyli, ...

, ''Electroscincus'' appears to belong to the Scincidae

crown group In phylogenetics, the crown group or crown assemblage is a collection of species composed of the living representatives of the collection, the most recent common ancestor of the collection, and all descendants of the most recent common ancestor ...

, indicating that some divergence among the extant skink subfamilies must have already occurred by 100 million years ago. Other definitive skink fossils are known from the

Miocene The Miocene ( ) is the first epoch (geology), geological epoch of the Neogene Period and extends from about (Ma). The Miocene was named by Scottish geologist Charles Lyell; the name comes from the Greek words (', "less") and (', "new") and mea ...

. Skink genera known from fossils include the following:

Behavior

A trait apparent in many species of skink is digging and burrowing. Many spend their time underground where they are mostly safe from predators, sometimes even digging out tunnels for easy navigation. They also use their tongues to sniff the air and track their prey. When they encounter their prey, they chase it down until they corner it or manage to land a bite and then swallow it whole. Despite being voracious hunters at times, all species pose no threat to humans and will generally avoid interaction in the wild. Being neither poisonous nor venomous, their bites are also mild and minor.

Diet

Skinks are generally

carnivorous A carnivore , or meat-eater (Latin, ''caro'', genitive ''carnis'', meaning meat or "flesh" and ''vorare'' meaning "to devour"), is an animal or plant whose nutrition and energy requirements are met by consumption of animal tissues (mainly mu ...

and in particular

insectivorous A robber fly eating a hoverfly An insectivore is a carnivorous animal or plant which eats insects. An alternative term is entomophage, which can also refer to the human practice of eating insects. The first vertebrate insectivores we ...

. Typical prey include

flies Flies are insects of the Order (biology), order Diptera, the name being derived from the Ancient Greek, Greek δι- ''di-'' "two", and πτερόν ''pteron'' "wing". Insects of this order use only a single pair of wings to fly, the hindwin ...

cricket Cricket is a Bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball game played between two Sports team, teams of eleven players on a cricket field, field, at the centre of which is a cricket pitch, pitch with a wicket at each end, each comprising two Bail (cr ...

grasshopper Grasshoppers are a group of insects belonging to the suborder Caelifera. They are amongst what are possibly the most ancient living groups of chewing herbivorous insects, dating back to the early Triassic around 250 million years ago. Grassh ...

beetle Beetles are insects that form the Taxonomic rank, order Coleoptera (), in the superorder Holometabola. Their front pair of wings are hardened into wing-cases, elytra, distinguishing them from most other insects. The Coleoptera, with about 40 ...

s, and

caterpillar Caterpillars ( ) are the larval stage of members of the order Lepidoptera (the insect order comprising butterflies and moths). As with most common names, the application of the word is arbitrary, since the larvae of sawflies (suborder ...

s. Various species also eat

earthworm An earthworm is a soil-dwelling terrestrial invertebrate that belongs to the phylum Annelida. The term is the common name for the largest members of the class (or subclass, depending on the author) Oligochaeta. In classical systems, they we ...

millipede Millipedes (originating from the Latin , "thousand", and , "foot") are a group of arthropods that are characterised by having two pairs of jointed legs on most body segments; they are known scientifically as the class Diplopoda, the name derive ...

centipede Centipedes (from Neo-Latin , "hundred", and Latin , "foot") are predatory arthropods belonging to the class Chilopoda (Ancient Greek , ''kheilos'', "lip", and Neo-Latin suffix , "foot", describing the forcipules) of the subphylum Myriapoda, ...

snail A snail is a shelled gastropod. The name is most often applied to land snails, terrestrial molluscs, terrestrial pulmonate gastropod molluscs. However, the common name ''snail'' is also used for most of the members of the molluscan class Gas ...

slug Slug, or land slug, is a common name for any apparently shell-less Terrestrial mollusc, terrestrial gastropod mollusc. The word ''slug'' is also often used as part of the common name of any gastropod mollusc that has no shell, a very reduced ...

isopod Isopoda is an Order (biology), order of crustaceans. Members of this group are called isopods and include both Aquatic animal, aquatic species and Terrestrial animal, terrestrial species such as woodlice. All have rigid, segmented exoskeletons ...

s (

woodlice Woodlice are terrestrial isopods in the suborder Oniscidea. Their name is derived from being often found in old wood, and from louse, a parasitic insect, although woodlice are neither parasitic nor insects. Woodlice evolved from marine isopods ...

etc), moths, small lizards (including

gecko Geckos are small, mostly carnivorous lizards that have a wide distribution, found on every continent except Antarctica. Belonging to the infraorder Gekkota, geckos are found in warm climates. They range from . Geckos are unique among lizards ...

s), and small

rodent Rodents (from Latin , 'to gnaw') are mammals of the Order (biology), order Rodentia ( ), which are characterized by a single pair of continuously growing incisors in each of the upper and Mandible, lower jaws. About 40% of all mammal specie ...

s. Some species, particularly those favored as home pets, are

omnivorous An omnivore () is an animal that regularly consumes significant quantities of both plant and animal matter. Obtaining energy and nutrients from plant and animal matter, omnivores digest carbohydrates, protein, fat, and fiber, and metabolize ...

and have more varied diets and can be maintained on a regimen of roughly 60% vegetables/leaves/fruit and 40% meat (insects and rodents). Species of the genus ''Tristiidon'' are mainly frugivorous, but occasionally eat moss and insects.

Breeding

Although most species of skinks are

oviparous Oviparous animals are animals that reproduce by depositing fertilized zygotes outside the body (i.e., by laying or spawning) in metabolically independent incubation organs known as eggs, which nurture the embryo into moving offsprings kno ...

, laying eggs in clutches, some 45% of skink species are

viviparous In animals, viviparity is development of the embryo inside the body of the mother, with the maternal circulation providing for the metabolic needs of the embryo's development, until the mother gives birth to a fully or partially developed juve ...

in one sense or another. Many species are

ovoviviparous Ovoviviparity, ovovivipary, ovivipary, or aplacental viviparity is a "bridging" form of reproduction between egg-laying oviparity, oviparous and live-bearing viviparity, viviparous reproduction. Ovoviviparous animals possess embryos that develo ...

, the young (skinklets) developing lecithotrophically in eggs that hatch inside the mother's

reproductive tract The reproductive system of an organism, also known as the genital system, is the biological system made up of all the anatomical organs involved in sexual reproduction. Many non-living substances such as fluids, hormones, and pheromones are als ...

, and emerging as live births. In some genera, however, such as '' Tiliqua'' and ''

Corucia The Solomon Islands skink (''Corucia zebrata''), also known as prehensile-tailed skink, monkey-tailed skink, giant skink, zebra skink, and monkey skink, is an arboreal species of skink endemic to the Solomon Islands archipelago. It is the larg ...

'', the young developing in the reproductive tract derive their nourishment from a mammal-like

placenta The placenta (: placentas or placentae) is a temporary embryonic and later fetal organ that begins developing from the blastocyst shortly after implantation. It plays critical roles in facilitating nutrient, gas, and waste exchange between ...

attached to the female – unambiguous examples of viviparous

matrotrophy Matrotrophy is a form of maternal care during organism development, associated with live birth (viviparity), in which the embryo of an animal or flowering plant is supplied with additional nutrition from the mother (e.g. through a placenta). This ...

. Furthermore, an example recently described in ''

Trachylepis ''Trachylepis'' is a skink genus in the subfamily Mabuyinae found mainly in Africa. Its members were formerly included in the " wastebin taxon" '' Mabuya'', and for some time in '' Euprepis''. As defined today, ''Trachylepis'' contains the clad ...

ivensi'' is the most extreme to date: a purely reptilian placenta directly comparable in structure and function, to a

eutheria Eutheria (from Greek , 'good, right' and , 'beast'; ), also called Pan-Placentalia, is the clade consisting of Placentalia, placental mammals and all therian mammals that are more closely related to placentals than to marsupials. Eutherians ...

n placenta. Clearly, such vivipary repeatedly has developed independently in the evolutionary history of the Scincidae and the different examples are not ancestral to the others. In particular, placental development of whatever degree in lizards is

phylogenetically In biology, phylogenetics () is the study of the evolutionary history of life using observable characteristics of organisms (or genes), which is known as phylogenetic inference. It infers the relationship among organisms based on empirical data ...

analogous Analogy is a comparison or correspondence between two things (or two groups of things) because of a third element that they are considered to share. In logic, it is an inference or an argument from one particular to another particular, as oppose ...

, rather than homologous, to functionally similar processes in mammals.

Nesting

Skinks typically seek out environments protected from the elements, such as thick foliage, underneath man-made structures, and ground-level buildings such as garages and first-floor apartments. When two or more skinks are seen in a small area, it is typical to find a nest nearby. Skinks are considered to be territorial and often are seen standing in front of or "guarding" their nest area. If a nest is nearby, one can expect to see 10-30 lizards within the period of a month. In parts of the southern United States, nests are commonly found in houses and apartments, especially along the coast. The nest is where the skink lays its small white eggs, up to 4-8 at a time.

Habitat

Skinks are very specific in their habitat as some can depend on vegetation while others may depend on land and the soil. As a family, skinks are

cosmopolitan Cosmopolitan may refer to: Internationalism * World citizen, one who eschews traditional geopolitical divisions derived from national citizenship * Cosmopolitanism, the idea that all of humanity belongs to a single moral community * Cosmopolitan ...

; species occur in a variety of

habitat In ecology, habitat refers to the array of resources, biotic factors that are present in an area, such as to support the survival and reproduction of a particular species. A species' habitat can be seen as the physical manifestation of its ...

s worldwide, apart from

boreal Boreal, northern, of the north. Derived from the name of the god of the north wind from Ancient Greek civilisation, Boreas (god), Boreas. It may also refer to: Climatology and geography *Boreal (age), the first climatic phase of the Blytt-Sernand ...

and polar regions. Various species occur in ecosystems ranging from deserts and mountains to grasslands. 5LinedSkink

Many species are good burrowers. More species are terrestrial or

fossorial A fossorial animal () is one that is adapted to digging and which lives primarily (but not solely) underground. Examples of fossorial vertebrates are Mole (animal), moles, badgers, naked mole-rats, meerkats, armadillos, wombats, and mole salamand ...

(burrowing) than

arboreal Arboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In habitats in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some animals may scale trees only occasionally (scansorial), but others are exclusively arboreal. The hab ...

(tree-climbing) or aquatic. Some are "sand swimmers", especially the desert species, such as the

mole skink ''Plestiodon egregius'', the mole skink, is a species of small lizard Endemism, endemic to the Southeastern United States. Taxonomy The species is subdivided into five subspecies, including the nominotypical subspecies: *Florida Keys mole ski ...

sand skink The Florida sand skink (''Plestiodon reynoldsi'') is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae, the skinks. It is endemic to Florida in the United States. Taxonomy and etymology It was described as a new genus and new species by Leonhard Stej ...

Florida Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic ...

. Some use a very similar action in moving through grass tussocks. Most skinks are diurnal (day-active) and typically bask on rocks or logs during the day.

Predators

Raccoon The raccoon ( or , ''Procyon lotor''), sometimes called the North American, northern or common raccoon (also spelled racoon) to distinguish it from Procyonina, other species of raccoon, is a mammal native to North America. It is the largest ...

fox Foxes are small-to-medium-sized omnivorous mammals belonging to several genera of the family Canidae. They have a flattened skull; upright, triangular ears; a pointed, slightly upturned snout; and a long, bushy tail ("brush"). Twelve species ...

es,

possums Possum may refer to: Animals * Didelphimorphia, or (o)possums, an order of marsupials native to the Americas ** Didelphis, a genus of marsupials within Didelphimorphia *** Common opossum, native to Central and South America *** Virginia opossum, ...

coati Coatis (from Tupí), also known as coatimundis (), are members of the family Procyonidae in the genera '' Nasua'' and '' Nasuella'' (comprising the subtribe Nasuina). They are diurnal mammals native to South America, Central America, Mexico, ...

weasel Weasels are mammals of the genus ''Mustela'' of the family Mustelidae. The genus ''Mustela'' includes the least weasels, polecats, stoats, ferrets, and European mink. Members of this genus are small, active predators, with long and slend ...

crow A crow is a bird of the genus ''Corvus'', or more broadly, a synonym for all of ''Corvus''. The word "crow" is used as part of the common name of many species. The related term "raven" is not linked scientifically to any certain trait but is rathe ...

cat The cat (''Felis catus''), also referred to as the domestic cat or house cat, is a small domesticated carnivorous mammal. It is the only domesticated species of the family Felidae. Advances in archaeology and genetics have shown that the ...

dog The dog (''Canis familiaris'' or ''Canis lupus familiaris'') is a domesticated descendant of the gray wolf. Also called the domestic dog, it was selectively bred from a population of wolves during the Late Pleistocene by hunter-gatherers. ...

heron Herons are long-legged, long-necked, freshwater and coastal birds in the family Ardeidae, with 75 recognised species, some of which are referred to as egrets or bitterns rather than herons. Members of the genus ''Botaurus'' are referred to as bi ...

hawk Hawks are birds of prey of the family Accipitridae. They are very widely distributed and are found on all continents, except Antarctica. The subfamily Accipitrinae includes goshawks, sparrowhawks, sharp-shinned hawks, and others. This ...

s, and other predators of small land vertebrates also prey on various skinks. This can be troublesome, given the long gestation period for some skinks, making them an easy target to predators such as the

mongoose A mongoose is a small terrestrial carnivorous mammal belonging to the family Herpestidae. This family has two subfamilies, the Herpestinae and the Mungotinae. The Herpestinae comprises 23 living species that are native to southern Europe, A ...

, which often threaten the species to at least near extinction, such as the Anguilla Bank skink. Invasive rodents are a major threat to skinks that have been overlooked, especially tropical skinks. Skinks are also hunted for food by indigenous peoples in

New Guinea New Guinea (; Hiri Motu: ''Niu Gini''; , fossilized , also known as Papua or historically ) is the List of islands by area, world's second-largest island, with an area of . Located in Melanesia in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, the island is ...

, including by the

Kalam ''Ilm al-kalam'' or ''ilm al-lahut'', often shortened to ''kalam'', is the scholastic, speculative, or rational study of Islamic theology ('' aqida''). It can also be defined as the science that studies the fundamental doctrines of Islamic fai ...

people in the highlands of

Madang Province Madang is a Provinces of Papua New Guinea, province of Papua New Guinea. The province is on the northern coast of mainland Papua New Guinea and has many of the country's highest peaks, active volcanoes and its biggest mix of languages. The capi ...

, Papua New Guinea.Bulmer, RNH (1975)
Kalam Classification Of Reptiles And Fishes
''Journal of the Polynesian Society'' 84(3): 267–308.

Genetics

Genomic architecture

Despite making up 15% of reptiles, skinks have a relatively conserved chromosome number, between 11 and 16 pairs. Skink genomes are typically about 1.5 Gb, approximately one-half the size of the human genome. The Christmas Island blue-tailed skink (''Cryptoblepharus egeriae'') was sequenced in 2022, representing the first skink reference genome.

Sex determination systems

Skinks were long thought to have both genetic sex determination (GSD) and

temperature-dependent sex determination Temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) is a type of environmental sex determination in which the temperatures experienced during embryonic/larval development determine the sex of the offspring. It is observed in reptiles and teleost fish, ...

(TSD). Despite having sex chromosomes that are not distinguishable with a microscope, all major skink lineages share an old XY system that is over 80 million years old. These X and Y specific regions are highly divergent and contain multiple chromosomal rearrangements and repetitive sequences.

Genera

Many genera, ''

Mabuya ''Mabuya'' is a genus of long-tailed skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. The genus is restricted to species from various Caribbean islands. Out of 26 recognized species, six species are only found in Caribbean islands. Species in the genus ...

'' for example, are still insufficiently studied, and their

systematics Systematics is the study of the diversification of living forms, both past and present, and the relationships among living things through time. Relationships are visualized as evolutionary trees (synonyms: phylogenetic trees, phylogenies). Phy ...

are at times controversial, see for example the

taxonomy image:Hierarchical clustering diagram.png, 280px, Generalized scheme of taxonomy Taxonomy is a practice and science concerned with classification or categorization. Typically, there are two parts to it: the development of an underlying scheme o ...

of the

western skink The western skink (''Plestiodon skiltonianus'') is a species of small, smooth- scaled lizard with relatively small limbs. It measures about 100 to 210 mm (about 4 to 8.25 inches) in total length (body + tail). It is one of seven species of ...

, ''Plestiodon skiltonianus''. ''Mabuya'' in particular, is being split, many species being allocated to new genera such as ''

'', ''

Chioninia __NOTOC__ ''Chioninia'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the subfamily Lygosominae. For long, this genus was included in the "wastebin taxon" ''Mabuya''. The genus ''Chioninia'' contains the Cape Verde mabuyas. Description Species in the genus ' ...

'', and ''

Eutropis ''Eutropis'' is a genus of skinks belonging to the subfamily Mabuyinae. For long, this genus was included in the " wastebin taxon" '' Mabuya''; it contains the Asian mabuyas. They often share their habitat with the related common skinks (''Sph ...

''. Subfamily

Acontinae Acontinae is a subfamily of limbless skinks within the family Scincidae. Genera The subfamily Acontinae contains 2 genera. * ''Acontias'' (26 species) * ''Typhlosaurus ''Typhlosaurus'' is a genus of African lizards, one of a number of gener ...

(limbless skinks; 30 species in 2 genera) * ''

Acontias ''Acontias'' is a genus of limbless skinks, the lance skinks, (family Scincidae) in the African subfamily Acontinae.Branch 2004. Most are small animals, but the largest member of the genus is '' Acontias plumbeus'' at approximately snout-vent ...

'' (25 species) * ''

'' (5 species) Subfamily

Egerniinae Egerniinae is the subfamily of social skinks within the family Scincidae. The genera in this subfamily were previously found to belong the ''Egernia'' group in the large subfamily Lygosominae. Genera The subfamily Egerniinae contains 63 species ...

(social skinks; 63 species in 9 genera) * ''

Bellatorias ''Bellatorias'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. Species in the genus are native to Australia and Papua New Guinea. All of the species were previously placed in the genus ''Egernia''. Species The following three species, l ...

'' (3 species) * ''

'' (1 species) * ''

Cyclodomorphus ''Cyclodomorphus'' is a genus of small to medium-sized skinks (family (biology), family Scincidae)."''Cyclodomorphus'' ". The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org. It belongs to the ''Egernia'' group which also includes the blue-tongued sk ...

'' (9 species) * ''

Egernia ''Egernia'' is a genus of skinks (family (biology), family Scincidae) that occurs in Australia. These skinks are ecologically diverse omnivores that inhabit a wide range of habitats. However, in the loose delimitation (which incorporates about 3 ...

'' (17 species) * ''

Liopholis ''Liopholis'' is a genus of lizards in the subfamily Egerniinae of the Family (biology), family Scincidae (skinks). Species of the genus are found in the Australasian realm, Australian region. They were previously placed in the genus ''Egernia''. ...

'' (12 species) * ''

Lissolepis ''Lissolepis'' is a genus of mid-sized skinks (adult snout-vent length 100–130 mm) with a bulky angular body and small eyes. 20–28 rows of midbody scales; dorsal scales smooth. The nasal scale has a postnarial groove; the subocular scale ...

'' (2 species) * '' Tiliqua'' (7 species) * ''

Tribolonotus ''Tribolonotus'' is a genus of lizards, commonly known as crocodile skinks. Geographic range Species in the genus ''Tribolonotus'' are found in New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, and the Solomon Islands (archipelago), Solomon Islands. Specie ...

'' (10 species) Subfamily

Eugongylinae Eugongylinae is a subfamily of skinks within the family Scincidae. The genera in this subfamily were previously found to belong the '' Eugongylus'' group in the large subfamily Lygosominae. Genera The subfamily Eugongylinae contains 469 speci ...

(eugongylid skinks; 455 species in 50 genera) * ''

Ablepharus ''Ablepharus'' is a genus of skinks that contains the common snake-eyed skinks. Both their scientific and common names refer to the fact that their eyelids have fused to a translucent capsule; as in snakes, they thus are physically incapable of b ...

'' (18 species) * ''

Acritoscincus ''Acritoscincus'' is a genus of Australian skinks (family Scincidae). It belongs to the ''Eugongylus'' group; the genus ''Oligosoma ''Oligosoma'' is a genus of small to medium-sized skinks (family Scincidae) found only in New Zealand, Norf ...

'' (3 species) * '' Alpinoscincus'' (2 species) * '' Anepischetosia'' (1 species) * ''

Austroablepharus ''Austroablepharus'' is a genus of skinks endemic to Australia. Species Three species are recognized. *'' Austroablepharus barrylyoni'' Couper et al., 2010 – Lyon's snake-eyed skink *'' Austroablepharus kinghorni'' ( Copland, 1947) – red-t ...

'' (3 species) * '' Caesoris'' (1 species) * ''

Caledoniscincus ''Caledoniscincus'' is a genus of lizards in the Family (biology), family Scincidae (skinks). The genus is endemic to New Caledonia. Species The following 14 species are recognized as being valid: *''Caledoniscincus aquilonius'' - northern li ...

'' (14 species) * ''

Carinascincus ''Carinascincus'' is a genus of skinks (family Scincidae), commonly called snow skinks or cool-skinks and residing mainly in Tasmania or Victoria, Australia. Then recognised as the genus ''Niveoscincus'', it was found to belong to a clade with ...

'' (8 species) * ''

Carlia ''Carlia'' is a genus of skinks, commonly known as four-fingered skinks or rainbow skinks, in the subfamily Eugongylinae. Before being placed in this new subfamily, ''Carlia'' was recovered in a clade with the genera '' Niveoscincus'', '' Lamp ...

'' (46 species) * '' Celatiscincus'' (2 species) * ''

Cophoscincopus ''Cophoscincopus'' (common name: keeled water skinks) is a genus of skinks, lizards in the Family (biology), family Scincidae. The genus is Endemism, endemic to West Africa. As suggested by the common name, species in the genus ''Cophoscincopus' ...

'' (4 species) * ''

Cryptoblepharus ''Cryptoblepharus'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family (biology), family Scincidae. The genus contains at least 53 species. Taxonomy The genus ''Cryptoblepharus'' was established in 1834 by the zoologist Arend Friedrich August Wiegman ...

'' (53 species) * ''

Emoia ''Emoia'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the subfamily Eugongylinae. The genus ''Emoia'' belongs to a group of genera mainly from the southwestern Pacific-Australian region. These small skinks are commonly known as emoias or skinks. Species L ...

'' (78 species) * ''

Epibator ''Epibator'' is a genus of skinks Endemism, endemic to New Caledonia. Species The following 3 species, listed alphabetically by Specific name (zoology), specific name, are recognized as being valid: *''Epibator greeri'' (Böhme, 1979) – Gree ...

'' (3 species) * '' Eroticoscincus'' (1 species) * ''

Eugongylus ''Eugongylus'' is a genus of skinks in the subfamily Eugongylinae. It was previously recognised as namesake of the ''Eugonglyus'' group of genera within Lygosominae, where it occupied a quite basal position. Members of this genus are commonly ca ...

'' (5 species) * '' Geomyersia'' (2 species) * '' Geoscincus'' (1 species) * ''

Graciliscincus ''Graciliscincus'' is a lizard genus in the family Scincidae. The genus is indigenous to New Caledonia. Species and geographic range The genus ''Graciliscincus'' contains the single species ''Graciliscincus shonae'', known commonly as Sadlier ...

'' (1 species) * '' Harrisoniascincus'' (1 species) * '' Kanakysaurus'' (2 species) * '' Kuniesaurus'' (1 species) * ''

Lacertaspis ''Lacertaspis'' is a genus of skinks endemic to Central Africa. Species The following five species are recognized. *'' Lacertaspis chriswildi'' ( & Schmitz, 1996) – Chris Wild's snake-eyed skink *'' Lacertaspis gemmiventris'' ( Sjöstedt, 18 ...

'' (5 species) * '' Lacertoides'' (1 species) * ''

Lampropholis ''Lampropholis'' is a genus of skinks, commonly known as sunskinks, in the lizard subfamily Eugongylinae of the family Scincidae. The genus ''Lampropholis'' was previously found to belong to a clade with the genera ''Niveoscincus'', '' Leiolop ...

'' (14 species) * ''

Leiolopisma ''Leiolopisma'' is a genus of skinks. Most species occur in the region of New Caledonia-New Zealand, and they are related to other genera from that general area, such as ''Emoia''; these and others form the ''Eugongylus'' group. One living and t ...

'' (4 species) * '' Leptosiaphos'' (18 species) * ''

Liburnascincus ''Liburnascincus'' is a genus of skinks. All are endemic to Australia. Species The following 4 species, listed alphabetically by specific name, are recognized as being valid: *'' Liburnascincus artemis'' Hoskin & Couper, 2015 *'' Liburnascincu ...

'' (4 species) * '' Lioscincus'' (2 species) * '' Lobulia'' (8 species) * ''

Lygisaurus ''Lygisaurus'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the Family (biology), family Scincidae. Geographic range Species of ''Lygisaurus'' are found in Australia and New Guinea. Species The following 14 species are recognized as being valid.. www.rept ...

'' (14 species) * ''

Marmorosphax Marmorosphax, is a genus of skinks native to New Caledonia. Species Listed alphabetically by specific name.Menetia ''Menetia'' is a genus of skinks endemic to Australia. They are ground-dwellers and live in open forests and open grasslands. Species The following six species are recognized as being valid.. www.reptile-database.org. *'' Menetia alanae'' – ...

'' (5 species) * '' Morethia'' (8 species) * ''

Nannoscincus ''Nannoscincus'' is a genus of small skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. The genus is endemic to New Caledonia. Species The following 12 species are recognized as being valid. *'' Nannoscincus exos'' – northern dwarf skink *'' Nannosc ...

'' (12 species) * '' Nubeoscincus'' (2 species) * ''

Oligosoma ''Oligosoma'' is a genus of small to medium-sized skinks (family Scincidae) found only in New Zealand, Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island. ''Oligosoma'' had previously been found to belong to the ''Eugongylus'' group of genera in the subfami ...

'' (53 species) * '' Panaspis'' (21 species) * ''

Phaeoscincus ''Phaeoscincus'' is a genus of skinks. Both species are endemic to New Caledonia. Species The following 2 species, listed alphabetically by specific name, are recognized as being valid: *'' Phaeoscincus ouinensis'' Sadlier, Shea, & Bauer, 2014 ...

'' (2 species) * ''

Phasmasaurus ''Phasmasaurus'' is a genus of skinks. Both species are endemic to New Caledonia. Species The following 2 species, listed alphabetically by specific name, are recognized as being valid: *'' Phasmasaurus maruia'' (Sadlier, Whitaker & Bauer, 1998 ...

'' (2 species) * '' Phoboscincus'' (2 species) * ''

Proablepharus ''Proablepharus'' is a genus of lizards in the subfamily Eugongylinae of the family Scincidae. The genus is endemic to Australia. Species Two species are recognized as being valid. www.reptile-database.org. *'' Proablepharus reginae'' ( Glauer ...

'' (2 species) * ''

Pseudemoia ''Pseudemoia'' is a genus of skinks native to southeastern Australia. For similar skinks see Genus, genera ''Bassiana'', ''Lampropholis'', and ''Niveoscincus''. Reproduction At least in ''P. entrecasteauxii'', ''P. pagenstecheri'', and ''P. spen ...

'' (6 species) * '' Pygmaeascincus'' (3 species) * ''

Saproscincus ''Saproscincus'' is a genus of lizards, Common name, commonly referred to as shadeskinks or shade-skinks, in the subfamily Eugongylinae of the Family (biology), family Scincidae. The genus is Endemism, endemic to Australia. Species The genus ' ...

'' (12 species) * ''

Sigaloseps ''Sigaloseps'' is a genus of skinks which inhabit the moist, closed forest of southern New Caledonia. Conservation status There is some conservation concern for ''Sigaloseps'' because of mining activity taking place in the region. Species The ...

'' (6 species) * '' Simiscincus'' (1 species) * '' Tachygia'' (1 species) * '' Techmarscincus'' (1 species) * ''

Tropidoscincus ''Tropidoscincus'' is a genus of skink. They are all endemic to New Caledonia. Classification *'' Tropidoscincus aubrianus'' Bocage, 1873 – Aubrey's whiptailed skink *'' Tropidoscincus boreus'' Sadlier & Bauer, 2000 – northern whiptailed ski ...

'' (3 species) Subfamily

Lygosominae Lygosominae is the largest subfamily of skinks in the family Scincidae. The subfamily can be divided into a number of genus groups. If the rarely used taxonomic rank of infrafamily is employed, the genus groups would be designated as such, but s ...

(lygosomid skinks; 56 species in 6 genera) * ''

Haackgreerius ''Haackgreerius'' is a genus of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The genus ''Haackgreerius'' is endemic to coastal Somalia and contains one species. Etymology The generic name, ''Haackgreerius'', is in honor of South African herpetolog ...

'' (1 species) * ''

Lamprolepis ''Lamprolepis'' is a genus of lizards, known commonly as emerald skinks, in the subfamily In biological classification, a subfamily (Latin: ', plural ') is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, next below family but more inclusive ...

'' (3 species) * ''

Lygosoma ''Lygosoma'' is a genus of lizards, commonly known as supple skinks or writhing skinks, which are members of the family Scincidae. ''Lygosoma'' is the type genus of the subfamily Lygosominae. The common name, writhing skinks, refers to the way ...

'' (16 species) * ''

Mochlus ''Mochlus'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. The genus is endemic to Africa. Description Skinks of the genus ''Mochlus'' are cylindrical in shape and robust. They get the common name "writhing skinks" from the side-to-sid ...

'' (18 species) * ''

Riopa ''Riopa'' is a genus of skinks. It is easy to tell the species apart from most other skinks by bright red coloring on their sides from which they get their name. They also have a bule that runs down the side of their tail. Diet The riopas are om ...

'' (9 species) * ''

Subdoluseps ''Subdoluseps'', also known Common name, commonly as supple skinks and writhing skinks, is a genus of lizards in the subfamily Lygosominae of the Family (biology), family Scincidae. Member species were all previously assigned to the genus ''Lygos ...

'' (8 species) Subfamily

Mabuyinae Mabuyinae is a subfamily of lizards, commonly known as skinks, within the family Scincidae. The genera in this subfamily were previously found to belong the '' Mabuya'' group in the large subfamily Lygosominae. They have a pantropical distri ...

(mabuyid skinks; 226 species in 25 genera) * '' Alinea'' (2 species) * ''

Aspronema ''Aspronema'' is a genus of skinks. Species The following 2 species, listed alphabetically by specific name, are recognized as being valid: *'' Aspronema cochabambae'' (Dunn, 1935) *'' Aspronema dorsivittatum'' (Cope, 1862) – Paraguay mabuya ...

'' (2 species) * ''

Brasiliscincus ''Brasiliscincus'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. All species in the genus ''Brasiliscincus'' are endemic to Brazil and were previously placed in the genus ''Mabuya''. Species The following three species, listed alphabet ...

'' (3 species) * ''

Capitellum In human anatomy of the arm, the capitulum of the humerus is a smooth, rounded eminence on the lateral portion of the distal articular surface of the humerus. It articulates with the cup-shaped depression on the head of the radius, and is limite ...

'' (3 species) * ''

'' (7 species) * ''

Copeoglossum ''Copeoglossum'' is a genus of skinks. They were previously placed in the genus ''Mabuya''. Species The following five species, listed alphabetically by specific name, are recognized as being valid: *'' Copeoglossum arajara'' (Reboucas-Spieker, ...

'' (5 species) * '' Dasia'' (10 species) * '' Eumecia'' (2 species) * ''

'' (48 species) * '' Exila'' (1 species) * ''

Heremites ''Heremites'' is a genus of skinks. Species The following 3 species, listed alphabetically by specific name, are recognized as being valid: *'' Heremites auratus'' (Linnaeus, 1758) – levant skink, golden grass mabuya, golden grass skink *'' H ...

'' (3 species) * ''

Lubuya ''Lubuya'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. The genus contains one species, ''Lubuya ivensii'', known commonly as Ivens' skink, Ivens's skink, Ivens's water skink, or the meadow skink, which is native to Southern Africa. ...

'' (1 species) * ''

'' (9 species) * '' Manciola'' (1 species) * ''

Maracaiba ''Maracaiba'' is a genus of skinks. Species The following 2 species, listed alphabetically by specific name, are recognized as being valid: *'' Maracaiba meridensis'' () *'' Maracaiba zuliae'' () ''Nota bene ( ; plural: ) is the Latin ...

'' (2 species) * ''

Marisora ''Marisora'' is a genus of skinks. They are found in Mexico, Central America and some Caribbean islands. Species The following 13 species, listed alphabetically by specific name, are recognized as being valid: *'' Marisora alliacea'' (Cope, 187 ...

'' (13 species) * '' Notomabuya'' (1 species) * '' Otosaurus'' (1 species) * '' Panopa'' (2 species) * ''

Psychosaura ''Psychosaura'' is a genus of skinks. Both species are endemic to Brazil. Species The following 2 species, listed alphabetically by specific name, are recognized as being valid: *'' Psychosaura agmosticha'' (Rodrigues, 2000) *'' Psychosaura ma ...

'' (2 species) * ''

Spondylurus ''Spondylurus'' is a genus of lizards in the family Scincidae. The genus ''Spondylurus'', vernacularly known as the Antillean four-lined skinks, is a neotropical skink taxon including many species. Description Species in the genus ''Spondyluru ...

'' (17 species) * '' Toenayar'' (1 species) * ''

'' (87 species) * '' Varzea'' (2 species) * '' Vietnascincus'' (1 species) Subfamily

Sphenomorphinae Sphenomorphinae is a large subfamily of skinks, lizards within the family Scincidae. The genera in this subfamily were previously found to belong to the ''Sphenomorphus'' group in the large subfamily Lygosominae. Genera The subfamily Sphenomo ...

(sphenomorphid skinks; 591 species in 41 genera) * '' Anomalopus'' (4 species) * '' Calorodius'' (1 species) * '' Calyptotis'' (4 species) * ''

Coeranoscincus ''Coeranoscincus'' is a genus of skinks. They are endemic to Australia and found in eastern Queensland and northeastern New South Wales New South Wales (commonly abbreviated as NSW) is a States and territories of Australia, state on the Eas ...

'' (2 species) * '' Coggeria'' (1 species) * ''

Concinnia ''Concinnia'' is a genus of skinks in the subfamily Sphenomorphinae. Taxonomy and systematics The genus ''Concinnia'' belongs to the Australian Sphenomorphid clade that contains other genera such as ''Ctenotus'', '' Anomalopus'' and the ''Eulam ...

'' (7 species) * ''

Ctenotus ''Ctenotus'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. The genus is endemic to Australia. The genus ''Ctenotus'' belongs to a clade in the ''Sphenomorphus'' group which contains such genera as '' Anomalopus'' and the close relatives ...

'' (103 species) * ''

Eremiascincus ''Eremiascincus'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. The genus is endemic to Australia, Indonesia, and East Timor. Species The genus contains the following 15 valid species, listed alphabetically by specific name.

'' (15 species) * ''

Eulamprus ''Eulamprus'' is a genus of lizards, commonly known as water skinks, in the subfamily Sphenomorphinae of the family Scincidae. The genus is native to Australia. Taxonomy The genus ''Eulamprus'' belongs to a clade in the ''Sphenomorphus'' grou ...

'' (5 species) * '' Fojia'' (1 species) * ''

Glaphyromorphus ''Glaphyromorphus'' is a genus of lizards in the skink Family (biology), family (Scincidae)."''Glaphyromorphus'' ". Wikispecies. species.wikimedia.org. Geographic range Species in the genus ''Glaphyromorphus'' are found in Australia and New Gu ...

'' (11 species) * '' Gnypetoscincus'' (1 species) * '' Hemiergis'' (7 species) * ''

Insulasaurus ''Insulasaurus'' is a genus of skinks. They are all endemic to the Philippines. Species The following four species, listed alphabetically by specific name, are recognized as being valid: ''Nota bene'': A binomial authority In taxonomy, b ...

'' (4 species) * ''

Isopachys ''Isopachys'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the Family (biology), family Scincidae. The genus is Endemism, endemic to Asia. Geographic range Species in the genus ''Isopachys'' are found in Thailand and Myanmar.. Species There are four speci ...

'' (4 species) * ''

Kaestlea ''Kaestlea'' is a genus of skinks. These skinks are small, shiny, smooth-scaled species. They are diurnality, diurnal, Terrestrial animal, terrestrial and insectivorous. They lay eggs to reproduce. These skinks are identified by their distinct bl ...

'' (5 species) * ''

Lankascincus ''Lankascincus'' is a genus of lizards, commonly known as lanka skinks and tree skinks, in the family Scincidae. The genus is endemic to Sri Lanka. Species The genus ''Lankascincus'' comprises nine species. *'' Lankascincus deignani'' – D ...

'' (10 species) * '' Larutia'' (9 species) * '' Leptoseps'' (2 species) * ''

Lerista ''Lerista'' is a diverse (~ 90 species) genus of skinks endemic to Australia, commonly known as sliders. Description The genus is especially notable for the variation in the amount of limb reduction. The variation ranges from short-bodied ...

'' (97 species) * ''

Lipinia ''Lipinia'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the Family (biology), family Scincidae. Species in the genus ''Lipinia'' are commonly called lipinias. Taxonomy The genus ''Lipinia'' belongs to the ''Sphenomorphus'' group of genus, genera in which ...

'' (28 species) * '' Nangura'' (1 species) * ''

Notoscincus '' Notoscincus'' is a genus of skinks. They are commonly known as soil-crevice skinks or snake-eyed skinks. Species *''Notoscincus butleri'' Storr, 1979 – lined soil-crevice skink *'' Notoscincus ornatus'' (Broom, 1896) – ornate soil-crevi ...

'' (2 species) * '' Ophioscincus'' (3 species) * '' Ornithuroscincus'' (9 species) * '' Orosaura'' (1 species) * ''

Palaia Palaia is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Pisa in the Italian region Tuscany, located about southwest of Florence and about southeast of Pisa. Palaia borders the following municipalities: Capannoli, Montaione, Montopoli in Val d' ...

'' (1 species) * ''

Papuascincus ''Papuascincus'' is a genus of skinks endemic to New Guinea."''Papuascincus'' ". The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org. Species The following 4 species are recognized as being valid: *'' Papuascincus buergersi'' ( T. Vogt, 1932) *'' P ...

'' (4 species) * ''

Parvoscincus ''Parvoscincus'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. The genus is endemic to the Philippines. Description Species in the genus ''Parvoscincus'' are small to moderately sized skinks; the maximum snout-vent length (SVL) ranges ...

'' (24 species) * '' Pinoyscincus'' (5 species) * ''

Praeteropus ''Praeteropus'' is a genus of worm-skinks, smallish smooth-scaled burrowing lizards in the family Scincidae. The genus is endemic to the eastern half of Australia. The genus belongs to a clade in the ''Sphenomorphus'' group which contains such g ...

'' (4 species) * ''

'' (5 species) * '' Protoblepharus'' (3 species) * '' Ristella'' (4 species) * '' Saiphos'' (1 species) * ''

Scincella ''Scincella'' is a genus of lizards in the skink family, Scincidae, commonly referred to as ground skinks. The exact number of species in the genus is unclear, as taxonomic reclassification is ongoing, and sources vary widely. ''Scincella'' sp ...

'' (38 species) * '' Sepsiscus'' (1 species) * ''

Silvascincus ''Silvascincus'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. Both species in the genus are endemic to Australia. They were previously placed in the genus '' Eulamprus''. Species The following two species, listed alphabetically by spe ...

'' (2 species) * ''

Sphenomorphus The genus ''Sphenomorphus'' – vernacularly also known as the common skinks – currently serves as a "wastebin taxon" for numerous skinks. While most or all species presently placed here are probably rather close relatives, the genus ...

'' (113 species) * ''

Tropidophorus ''Tropidophorus'' is a genus of semiaquatic lizards in the skink family (Scincidae), found in Indochina, Borneo, Sulawesi, and the Philippines. They are sometimes known as water skinks or waterside skinks.SeIUCN searchresults for ''Tropidophorus ...

'' (29 species) * '' Tumbunascincus'' (1 species) * ''

Tytthoscincus ''Tytthoscincus'' is a genus of skinks. Originally defined to include a few species from the Philippines, the genus now includes many species from South-East Asia in general. Description ''Tytthoscincus'' are small skinks, usually less than in ...

'' (23 species) Subfamily

Scincinae Scincinae is a subfamily of lizards. The subfamily contains 33 genera, and the genera contain a combined total of 284 species, commonly called skinks. The systematics is at times controversial. The group is probably paraphyletic. It is one of thr ...

(typical skinks; 294 species in 35 genera) * ''

Amphiglossus ''Amphiglossus'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the Family (biology), family Scincidae. Taxonomy The genus ''Amphiglossus'' is usually placed in the subfamily Scincinae, which seems to be paraphyletic, however. Probably quite close to ''Para ...

'' (2 species) * ''

Ateuchosaurus ''Ateuchosaurus'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. The genus contains only two species which are indigenous to East Asia and Southeast Asia. Taxonomy The genus ''Ateuchosaurus'' is usually placed in the subfamily Scincina ...

'' (2 species) * '' Barkudia'' (2 species) * '' Brachymeles'' (42 species) * ''

Brachyseps ''Brachyseps'' is a genus of skinks. They are all endemic to Madagascar. Some taxonomic authorities place the group in the genus Amphiglossus. Species The following 7 species, listed alphabetically by specific name, are recognized as being vali ...

'' (8 species) * ''

Chalcides ''Chalcides'' is a genus of skinks ( family Scincidae). It is usually placed in the subfamily Scincinae (= Scincidae ''sensu'' Hedges 2014), a monophyletic clade of primarily African skinks. Species The following species A species () ...

'' (32 species) * '' Chalcidoseps'' (1 species) * ''

Eumeces The genus ''Eumeces'' (family (biology), family Scincidae) comprises four African to Middle-Eastern skink species. Systematics Recently two taxonomic revisions have been made regarding the 19th century genus ''Eumeces''. They both resulted in si ...

'' (6 species) * ''

Eurylepis ''Eurylepis'' is a genus of skinks found in Asia Asia ( , ) is the largest continent in the world by both land area and population. It covers an area of more than 44 million square kilometres, about 30% of Earth's total land area and 8% ...

'' (2 species) * ''

Feylinia ''Feylinia'' is a genus of skinks (Family (biology), family Scincidae). It is usually placed in the monotypic subfamily Feylininae. However, it appears to be not as distinct as formerly presumed, but rather somewhat closer to such Genus, genera ...

'' (6 species) * ''

Flexiseps ''Flexiseps'' is a genus of skinks. They are all endemic to Madagascar. Some taxonomic authorities place the group in the genus Amphiglossus. Species The following 15 species, listed alphabetically by specific name, are recognized as being vali ...

'' (15 species) * ''

Gongylomorphus ''Gongylomorphus'' is a genus of skinks found in Mauritius. Species There are three species: *''Gongylomorphus bojerii'' – Bojer's skink *''Gongylomorphus borbonicus'' *''Gongylomorphus fontenayi'' References

Gongylomorphus Lizard ...

'' (3 species) * ''

Grandidierina ''Grandidierina'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. The genus is endemic to Madagascar. Species The following four species, listed alphabetically by specific name, are recognized as being valid. *'' Grandidierina fierinens ...

'' (4 species) * '' Hakaria'' (1 species) * ''

Janetaescincus ''Janetaescincus'' is a genus of burrowing skinks in the family Scincidae. The genus is endemic to the Seychelles. There are two recognized species. Etymology The generic name, ''Janetaescincus'', is in honor of Janet Greer, who is the younge ...

'' (2 species) * ''

Jarujinia ''Jarujinia'' is a genus of skink Skinks are a type of lizard belonging to the family (biology), family Scincidae, a family in the Taxonomic rank, infraorder Scincomorpha. With more than 1,500 described species across 100 different taxonomic ...

'' (1 species) * ''

Madascincus ''Madascincus'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. The genus is endemic to Madagascar. Some taxonomic authorities place the group in the genus ''Amphiglossus''. Species The following 12 species, listed alphabetically by spec ...

'' (12 species) * ''

Melanoseps ''Melanoseps'' is a genus of lizards, known Common name, commonly as limbless skinks, in the Family (biology), family Scincidae. The genus is Endemism, endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa. Species The following eight species are recognized as being v ...

'' (8 species) * ''

Mesoscincus ''Mesoscincus'' is a genus of lizards, comprising three species of skinks native to Mexico and Central America. The species were formerly included in the genus ''Eumeces''. Species *''Mesoscincus altamirani'' – Tepalcatepec skink – Mexico * ...

'' (3 species) * ''

Nessia ''Nessia'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the Family (biology), family Scincidae. The genus is Endemism, endemic to Sri Lanka. Species in the genus ''Nessia'' are commonly known as snake skinks. Species The following nine species are recognize ...

'' (9 species) * ''

Ophiomorus ''Ophiomorus'' is a genus of Old World skinks. www.reptile-database.org. The limbs are either reduced or absent, depending on the species. They are sometimes known as limbless skinks or snake skinks. Members of the genus live under rocks or in b ...

'' (12 species) * ''

Pamelaescincus Gardiner's burrowing skink (''Pamelaescincus gardineri)'' is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. ''P. gardineri'' is the only species in the (monotypic) skink genus ''Pamelaescincus''. The species is endemic to the Seychelles. Etymolog ...

'' (1 species) * ''

Paracontias ''Paracontias'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. The genus is endemic to Madagascar. Taxonomy and systematics ''Paracontias'' is usually placed in the subfamily Scincinae, which seems to be paraphyletic however. Probably ...

'' (14 species) * ''

Plestiodon ''Plestiodon'' is a genus of lizards in the family Scincidae (skinks). The genus contains many species formerly classified under the genus ''Eumeces'', except those now placed in '' Mesoscincus''. They are secretive, agile animals with a cylin ...

'' (50 species) * '' Proscelotes'' (3 species) * '' Pseudoacontias'' (4 species) * '' Pygomeles'' (3 species) * ''

Scelotes ''Scelotes'' is a genus of small African skinks. Species The following 21 species are recognized as being valid. www.reptile-database.org *''Scelotes anguinus'' (George Albert Boulenger, Boulenger, 1887) – Algoa dwarf burrowing skink, Bouleng ...

'' (22 species) * '' Scincopus'' (1 species) * ''

Scincus ''Scincus'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family (biology), family Scincidae. The genus contains four or five species, all of which are typical desert inhabitants, living in sandy and dune-like areas with a hot and dry climate. Species in ...

'' (5 species) * ''

Scolecoseps ''Scolecoseps'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the Family (biology), family Scincidae. The genus is Endemism, endemic to East Africa. Species Genus ''Scolecoseps'' contains four species.. www.reptile-database.org. *''Scolecoseps acontias'' ...

'' (4 species) * '' Sepsina'' (5 species) * '' Sepsophis'' (1 species) * ''

Typhlacontias ''Typhlacontias'' is a genus of legless, burrowing skinks in the Family (biology), family Scincidae, a genus Endemism, endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa. Its sister group is the clade consisting of the Genus, genera ''Feylinia'' and ''Melanoseps''. ...

'' (7 species) * ''

Voeltzkowia ''Voeltzkowia'' is a genus of skinks. Geographic range The genus ''Voeltzkowia'' is endemic to Madagascar. Species Three species are recognized as being valid."''Voeltzkowia'' ". The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org. *'' Voeltzkowia m ...

'' (3 species)

Gallery

Female Skink with Eggs.JPG, Female skink with eggs Indian Skink.jpg, Indian skink Skink found in Sri Lanka.jpg, Skink found in Sri Lanka Skink in Aussie.jpg, Eastern blue-tongue lizard in Australia Eastern blue-tongued lizard - Tiliqua scincoides scincoides - 7.jpg,

Eastern blue-tongued lizard The ''Tiliqua scincoides scincoides,'' or eastern blue-tongued lizard, is native to Australia. Its blue tongue can be used to warn off predators. In addition to flashing its blue tongue, the skink hisses and puffs up its chest to assert dominance ...

Lizard Albany.jpg,

King's skink King's skink (''Egernia kingii)'' is a species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Australia. Etymology The specific name, ''kingii'', is in honor of Australian Phillip Parker King, who explored the coast o ...

– Albany, Western Australia

References

Sources

* De Vosjoli, Philippe (1993) ''Prehensile-Tailed Skinks''. Advanced Vivarium Systems. * Hedges, S. Blair and Caitlin E. Conn. 2012. A new skink fauna from Caribbean islands (Squamata, Mabuyidae, Mabuyinae). Zootaxa 3288.

External links

Scincidae
a
The Reptile Database

Skink Gallery and Information

KingSnake.com (Wayback Machine) {{Authority control Extant Cenomanian first appearances Taxa named by Nicolaus Michael Oppel

Etymology

Description

Blood color

Evolutionary history

Behavior

Diet

Breeding

Nesting

Habitat

Predators

Genetics

Genomic architecture

Sex determination systems

Genera

Gallery

See also

References

Sources

External links