White’s Skink (Lizard) Six Photos (Liopholis whitii)

White’s Skink, Liopholis whitii, was formally named by Lacépède in 1804. Both the scientific name and common name commemorate John White. He was the chief surgeon on the first fleet^*. White was also an amateur naturalist and just as well for there was no official naturalist assigned to the first fleet voyage.

The species is found from southern Queensland through to South Australia. In Tasmania it is found in the north and east as well as the Bass Straight islands. The Tasmanian lizards are a little smaller than their mainland counterparts, the longest recorded being 220mm including the tail. The body length (head to vent) is usually around 90mm. They are slow to mature (4 years) and have been recorded as living up to 8 years.

They are primarily ambush predators although I have watched them stalk their prey over short distances. They feed on a range of small invertebrates. It is said they will also eat some plant material although I have never observed this myself.

The back of my block is a north facing hill with plenty of rocks and logs. This is ideal habitat for White’s Skink. They live in colonies and form a network of burrows between the aforementioned rocks and logs. Over the years I've added many new areas with logs and rocks in order to increase the available habitat. There are now at least five colonies that I am aware of. If I walk up the path I often see them basking on a rock. Oh, and how do I know whether they are basking or waiting in ambush? :-) Well if I look through the binoculars I can see their eyes are closed but they are not in a deep sleep as when I get a little nearer they quickly dart back within their burrow.

You’ll notice there is some variation in their appearance but they always have a whitish line above their top lip. The younger ones are usually more brightly patterned.

<sup>Footnotes:
* The eleven ships of the First Fleet took the first convicts and settlers to Sydney Cove in 1788</sup>

_{( All photos, videos, and text on this blog are by @mostly.nature )}

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