Garden Skink

Description:

This was a rescue effort, hence the photos don't show the physical details necessary to pinpoint the exact species. There are only two possible contenders: (1) Common Garden Skink (Lampropholis guichenoti) or (2) Delicate Skink (Lampropholis delicata). Both are very small, both look very similar (except to a keen eye), and both are often seen in suburban gardens in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. These two species of skink belong to the family Scincidae, and the sub-family Lygosominae.

Habitat:

Skinks are often seen under leaves, in long grass and under rocks so that they can watch their prey, but also love hiding in logs where their big predators can't get them. This one was found in my garden.

Notes:

This poor little fellow has been in the wars. At some stage he has lost a foot and has dropped his tail, and on this occasion was caught by one of my cats... and then rescued by me. He is a true survivor and lives to see yet another day. The skink's tail will eventually grow back, but sadly the same can't be said about the missing foot.