Solomon Islands skink
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| Solomon Island skink | ||||||||||||||
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| Corucia zebrata |
The Solomon Islands skink (Corucia zebrata) is an arboreal species of skink that originates from the Solomon Islands. Other common names for this species are the Prehensile Tail Skink, the Monkey-tailed Skink or the Giant Skink.
There are two recognized subspecies of the Solomon Islands skink; Corucia zebrata zebrata (Common monkey-tailed Skink) and Corucia zebrata alfredschmidti (Northern Solomon monkey-tailed Skink). [1] Among other variances, the Northern skink is larger and has darker eyes with a black sclera.[2] The Solomon Islands skink is completely herbivorous, eating many different fruits and vegetables. One aspect notable of the species is that they function within a social group or circulus, which is somewhat rare in the reptile world. Both male and female specimens are known to be territorial and often hostile towards members not a part of the family group.[3]
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[edit] Distribution
The Solomon Islands skink is native to the Solomon Islands, a small group of islands in the pacific ocean on the northeastern coast of Australia. They are also found in some areas of Papua New Guinea, including Buka and Bougainville, which forms part of the Solomon archipelago.[1]
[edit] Appearance
The Solomon Islands skink has a long, slender body and strong, short legs.[4] Adults reach around 28 inches when fully grown making them the largest species of skink.[5] Corucia zebrata has a triangular shaped head with small round eyes. The tail of the Monkey-tailed skink is prehensile and is the basis for the common name of the skink. It is the tail that helps them to maneuver from branch to branch with ease.
Scales of C. zebrata are a dark green but are often speckeled with light brown of black. The scales on the underside can vary from light yellow to different shades of green. The toes on all four legs have thick, curved nails used for climbing and griping onto tree limbs. The Solomon Islands skink has a strong crushing jaw but the teeth are small and used for eating plant material.[4]
[edit] Subspecies Difference
The Common Monkey Skink is the shorter of the two subspecies. Males average 55 centimeters and females about 58 centimeters. The Northern Monkey Skinks are slightly longer wirh the males averaging 66cm and the females around 67cm. The North Monkey skink weighs considerably more, around 850 grams, than the Common monkey skink, which is around 500 grams. Corucia zebrata zebrata has a white sclera with its eyes while Corucia zebrata alfredschmidti has a black sclera. The iris of the Northern PTS are a mix of green and yellow whereas the iris of the common PTS can vary from several different shades of green to orange to a dark black.[2]
[edit] In captivity
The Solomon Islands skink can make a good captive pet if certain conditions are met. These skinks need a large vertically oriented enclosure with plenty of branches to climb on and places to hide in order to thrive. Corucia are crepuscular and nocturnal, and require a proper retreat during the day. They are a high canopy rainforest species so proper humidity with nonstagnant air must be provided, and misting is also recommended. Temperatures should not fall below 68 degrees Fahrenheit at night and ideally should be no higher than low eighties Fahrenheit during the day. Corucia like to hide in tight places. Be sure you have the proper Annulus (size difference between two cylindrical bodies-in this context, space between the outer cylindrical body of a Corucia and the inner circumference of a hole.) in any hides put in an enclosure. If there is not sufficient clearance, Corucia have been known to get tightly wedged in and die in spaces smaller than one can imagine.
[edit] Reproduction
Solomon Islands skinks reproduce by viviparous matrotrophy (the Corucia female provides a placenta not unlike like that of a mammal)[2] with a gestation period of six to eight months. The neonate is of a large size proportional to that of a human offspring compared to its mother. Almost all births are single babies but occasionally twins will be born and very rarely triplets.[2] At birth, the young skinks are approximately 29 centimeters in length and weigh 80 grams, whereas northern Solomon Islands skinks are 37cm and 175g.[2]
The newborn skink will stay within the circulus or family group for six to twelve months during which time it will be protected by not only its parents but also other unrelated adult skinks within the group. Around one year of age, sometimes earlier, the juvenile will move off to form its own family group. (Individuals have been documented to stay within a circulus for several births without being expelled. - SFCRC {2003}.) Some individuals will remain in the Circulus in complete harmony for longer periods. Adult Corucia have been known to adopt orphan neonates. Females go through a fierce, hormonal, heightened, protective spike around the time of birth. This hormonal pattern has been referred to as the Ferox Patrona Phase {Ferox - warlike, spirited. -> Patrona: goddess, protectress. } (SFCRC- 2003) . This fierce protectiveness of young is a rare occurrence in reptiles and is shorter in duration compared to a typical mammal.
[edit] Conservation
Extensive logging is a serious threat to the survival of this species. Consumption for food by natives and excessive export (prior to a ban by CITES) has also affected wild populations. 'Since there is no regulation on the rapid deforestation occurring in the Solomon Islands, limited export to recognized institutions may be needed to aid this species in genetic diversity for ultimate survival'.- Leeway Corucia Research Center (LCRC)- 2007.
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b D. Croft Lizards: Prehensile-Tailed Skinks (2006-12-12). Retrieved on 2007-10-16.
- ^ a b c d e Subspecies comparison of the Genus: Corucia (2006-08-25). Retrieved on 2007-10-16.
- ^ Monkey Tailed Skink...Corucia zebrata. Retrieved on 2007-10-21.
- ^ a b The Reptile Rooms:: Bearded Dragons, other Lizards, Snakes, Turtles and more! (2005). Retrieved on 2007-10-16.
- ^ Monkey tailed skinks. Retrieved on 2007-10-16.
