Trachylepis spilogaster

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Kalahari tree skink
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Trachylepis
Species:
T. spilogaster
Binomial name
Trachylepis spilogaster
(Peters, 1882)
Synonyms
  • Mabuya spilogaster
  • Euprepis spilogaster

The Kalahari tree skink (Trachylepis spilogaster), or spiny mabuya, is a species of lizard in the skink family (Scincidae). The species is endemic to southern Africa, including Namibia, South Africa, western Botswana, and southern Angola.[1]

Habitat

Kalahari tree skinks have been found to live around trees that contain the large colonial nests of the sociable weaver. Their numbers are higher in these areas despite a known predator of skinks, the pygmy falcon, also nesting in these trees. It is theorized that the increased opportunity for places of refuge outweigh the risk of predation.[2] Skinks found on colony trees have learned to eavesdrop on sociable weavers to warn of approaching pygmy falcons.[3]

References

  1. ^ "Trachylepis spilogaster". Reptile Database. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
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