Trachylepis margaritifera
The Rainbow Skink, or Five-lined Skink, is an active lizard occurring in rocky terrain in savanna habitats from Kwazulu-Natal, through the Lowveld and Limpopo Valley to as far north as Kenya. They feed primarily on insects and other invertebrates. Males are territorial. Females lay one, perhaps two, clutches of 6-10 eggs in summer, with the baby skinks emerging around two months later. Females, adolescents and immature males exhibit the distinct lines and brilliant blue tails associated with this species, while the adult males have an olive base-colouration speckled with tiny white spots. Adults may grow to 20cm in length, including the tail. The IUCN lists the Rainbow Skink as being of least concern.
Rainbow Skink
Rainbow Skink
Rainbow Skink
Rainbow Skink (male)
Rainbow Skink
Rainbow Skink
Rainbow Skink
Rainbow Skink
Rainbow Skink
Rainbow Skink
Rainbow Skink
Rainbow Skink
Rainbow Skink (male)
Male Rainbow Skink
Male Rainbow Skink
Male Rainbow Skink
Interesting that the color is in the tail.
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Perhaps a useful tactic to limit predation, Robert – if the tail is targeted, and discarded, the skink escapes!
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Your photos show how beautiful they are. I recall seeing them only in Botswana – I don’t recall seeing them in KZN. Not sure if I am unobservant or have a bad memory 🙂
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Mpila in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park is one of the best places to look for them, Carol
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Next time we are there I will look out for them. Thanks.
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Love that blue tail!!
janet
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Sure makes them stand out!
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Beautiful shots! How interesting that only the females and young have that distinctive stripe and the male coloring is more muted. Is this common in reptiles and amphibians? I’m so accustomed to (usually) seeing the more showy colors in male birds.
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We only have a few reptiles with bright colours here, and in the majority of the cases it’s the males that are showy. In this species the sexes are so dimorphic that they could easily be confused for different species!
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They are such lovely little creatures!
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That is very true, P J B!
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I have always enjoyed seeing these skinks – mostly in the KNP though, which is too far away to visit as often as I would like. Thank you for sharing these delightful photographs.
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They’re a joy to behold with their beautiful colours and active nature. I find the adult males are much less frequently seen than the females and juveniles.
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We have a brilliant teal skink in India. I wish I could get a picture of it for you. Note that they are able to rise on those legs to move without getting down in the dust. A thought, but not necessarily a provable one: Genesis 3:14 (KJV).
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Skinks’ heads, especially, do look quite snake-like, don’t they Beth!?
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Such pretty little lizards, Dries. 😍
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Absolutely, Sylvia, and so aptly named!
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Very colorful lizard. I’ve never seen one in person. We have little skinks in Georgia, where I live. Nice photos. 🙂
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Thanks, H.J. These skinks are most deserving of their name.
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