Eutropis multifasciata (Fitzinger, 1826)
Family: Scincidae Common Sun Skink Status: Potential Colonizer Description: A medium sized to large skink. Some individuals may reach up to 400 mm TL and adults range from 129-137 mm SVL (Malkmus et al 2002). Individuals are generally a shade of brown with light spots on the side and there may be a vague light dorsolateral stripe present. The sides are generally a darker shade than the dorsum and adults often posses bright yellow to orange coloration on the anterior sides. Dorsal scales have 3-5 keels. The large size and keeled scales should separate this skink from all others in the Mariana Islands. Biology: This large sun loving skink is found in a wide variety of habitats and does well in areas heavily modified by humans. It feeds on a wide variety of small invertebrates and vertebrates including smaller lizards. Distribution: This species is widespread throughout Southeast Asia, occurring from India through the Philippines, Palau, and the islands of Malaysia and Indonesia. It is included in this book because it is an abundant human commensal that occurs in several areas that have high traffic levels to Guam and the Mariana Islands. In 1999 an individual of this species was captured in a piece of luggage from a flight originating in Manila. This species is commonly observed in downtown Manila and has been observed within the freight holding areas of Manila International Airport (in Wiles 2000). |