Nessia monodactyla
Toeless Snake Skink | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Family: | Scincidae |
Genus: | Nessia |
Species: | N. monodactyla
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Binomial name | |
Nessia monodactyla (Gray, 1839)
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The toeless snake skink, (Nessia monodactyla) also known as the one-toed nessia, is a species of skink endemic to island of Sri Lanka.
Habitat & Distribution[]
Widely distributed in the wet climatic zones from 400-1500m, and known localities include Kandy, Nawalapitiya, Deniyaya, and Peradeniya.
Description[]
Midbody scales rows 26-28. Body is slender and of equal girth, from head to tail. Snout short and obtuse. Lower eyelid with a transparent disk. Limbs lacking digits. Dorsum brown , dark or gray black.
Ecology & Diet[]
Hides under rubble, decaying logs and in soil or humus in montane forests. When exposed, they immediately wriggle into loose soil or under rubble. Diet comprises insects.
Reproduction[]
2 eggs are laid in loose soil.
References[]
Categories:
- Reptiles of Sri Lanka
- Nessia
- Reptiles described in 1839
- Taxa named by John Edward Gray