Adult E. slevini (Right) and E. caeruleocauda (left) illustrating the size difference between the two species.
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Emoia slevini (Brown and Falanrew, 1972)
Family: Scincidae Mariana Skink Status: Endemic Description: This is a large robust skink up to 95 mm SVL. Adults are a uniform shade of brown with lighter and darker flecks. The light flecks often arrange themselves into broken dorsolateral lines. The venter can be yellow to orange posteriorly in adults. The chin and lower jaw on an individual observed on Cocos Island was blue/grey. The sides of juveniles are darker than the dorsum, often black. Size alone should be enough to differentiate this skink from other species in the Mariana Islands. Juveniles are superficially similar to the Snake-eyed skink but can be differentiated from them by the presence of moveable eyelids. Biology: This skink is rare or occurs in difficult to reach locations and therefore not much is known of its biology. It is generally a terrestrial forest dweller though some individuals have been observed in trees and in clearings and disturbed habitats. An individual with a prominent umbilical scar and measuring only 32 mm SVL was collected in January on Cocos Island (McCoid 1994). Like most skinks it probably preys on a variety of arthropods. Distribution: The Mariana Skink is the only endemic reptile of the Mariana Islands. It has been recorded from the islands of Alamagan, Asuncian, Cocos, Guaguan, Guam, Pagan, Rota, Sarigan and Tinian. It has not been seen on Guam or Tinian since shortly after World War II. There was a probable sighting on Rota in 1991 (McCoid 1995). Recent herpetological surveys on Pagan Island failed to detect it. It is still present on Cocos Island but is not commonly encountered. McCoid M. J. 1994. Eggs, Hatchling size, and Oviposition Sites of Lizards on Guam Mariana Islands. Herpetological Review 25(3) 98-100 McCoid M.J. G. H. Rodda and T.H. Fritts. 1995. Distribution and Abundance of Emoia slevini (Scincidae) in the Marianna Islands. Herpetological Review 26(2) 70-72 |