Tropidophorus grayi
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Italic title". Template:Refimprove Template:Speciesbox Tropidophorus grayi, commonly called the spiny waterside skink,[1] Gray's keeled skink, Gray's water skink, and the Philippine spiny stream skink is a relatively abundant but secretive skink species, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the Philippines.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitats of T. grayi are forest and forest streams, at altitudes from sea level to Template:Cvt, but it has also been found in agricultural areas adjacent to forest.[1]T. grayi lives by rivers and lakes,Script error: No such module "Unsubst". which gives it the common name waterside skink. Despite the warm climate in its native habitat, it prefers relatively cool temperatures in mountainous areas.Script error: No such module "Unsubst"..
Description
T. grayi has serrated scales (very spiky) which are grey-black in colour, but may also appear in pure black, reddish-brown or wooden-brown colours.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". The belly is white with or without brown blotches and is smooth and shiny.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". This makes this species look like a miniature crocodile.
Behaviour
T. grayi is fast and agile. Despite its looks and speed, it is harmless, but it may occasionally bite hard, if handled. When threatened by predators this reptile hides in water. If left to swim in deep water, it may appear to drown, but it actually only plays dead. When removed, it may stay motionless for a few minutes and then return to its normal state. It is also an excellent climber, equipped with claws that can grip tree trunks and other wooden structures.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Diet
T. grayi eats worms, insects, small snails, slugs, and small fishes (if it can catch one).Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
In captivity
In captivity, it is observed that T. grayi likes to stack itself in piles, like turtles basking in the sun, and would rather stay on dry land than in water.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". It is becoming quite popular as an exotic pet due to its crocodilian appearance and cheap price in the Philippines.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Tail regeneration
Like almost any species in the skink family, T. grayi can regrow its tail if severed, but the replacement tail usually is shorter and has fewer spikes than the original tail. Also, the tail of T. grayi is tougher to break than the tail of most other skinks.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Reproduction
T. grayi is ovoviviparous.[2]
| Total length (including tail)Script error: No such module "Unsubst". | Number of youngScript error: No such module "Unsubst". | Status (how common)Script error: No such module "Unsubst". |
|---|---|---|
| 20–25 cm or 8–11 inches (females) / 5-9 inches (males) | 1–6 live young | Locally common (common in certain areas) |
Etymology
The specific name, grayi, is in honor of British herpetologist John Edward Gray.[3]
References
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- ↑ a b Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
- ↑ Species Tropidophorus grayi at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
- ↑ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. Template:ISBN. (Tropidophorus grayi, p. 107).
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Further reading
- Boulenger GA (1887). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume III. ... Scincidæ .... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 575 pp. + Plates I–XL. (Tropidophorus grayi, p. 364 + Plate XXX, figures 2, 2a).
- Günther A (1861). "Second List of Siamese Reptiles". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1861: 187–189. (Tropidophorus grayi, new species, p. 189).