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Red eyed crocodile skink
Red eyed crocodile skink
Scientific Name:
Tribolonotus gracilis
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The red-eyed crocodile skink is a small, dragon-like lizard with spiky, armor-like scales and striking orange-red rings around its eyes. Native to the rainforests of New Guinea, this shy reptile looks like a miniature dinosaur and has become popular among reptile enthusiasts.
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Red eyed crocodile skink
Facts
- Red-eyed crocodile skinks get their name from the bright orange or red ring around their eyes that makes them look like tiny dragons!
- Despite their fierce appearance, they're actually very shy and will freeze or play dead when scared
- They're one of the few skink species that vocalize - they can squeak or bark when startled or handled
- Unlike most reptiles, red-eyed crocodile skinks are devoted parents - both mom and dad guard their single egg until it hatches
- Their scales look like miniature crocodile armor, complete with raised ridges and spiky rows down their back
- They can drop their tail if grabbed by a predator, and it will wiggle around to distract the attacker while the skink escapes
- Red-eyed crocodile skinks are crepuscular, meaning they're most active during dawn and dusk
Where do they live?
Red-eyed crocodile skinks are native to the tropical rainforests of New Guinea, an island in the southwestern Pacific Ocean north of Australia. They're found in both Papua New Guinea (the independent nation) and West Papua (part of Indonesia). These secretive lizards inhabit lowland tropical rainforests, typically at elevations below 1,600 feet. They spend most of their time hiding under fallen logs, leaf litter, coconut husks, rocks, and debris on the forest floor near streams and other water sources. Red-eyed crocodile skinks are excellent at staying hidden and are rarely seen in the wild despite being relatively common in their native habitat.
What do they eat?
Red-eyed crocodile skinks are insectivores that eat a variety of small invertebrates. Their diet includes crickets, roaches, mealworms, waxworms, small earthworms, isopods (pill bugs), and other small insects. In the wild, they hunt through leaf litter on the forest floor, using their keen eyesight to spot prey. They're ambush hunters that wait patiently and then strike quickly when an insect comes close. Red-eyed crocodile skinks need to eat insects regularly, typically every 1-2 days. They prefer live, moving prey and may ignore insects that aren't wriggling around. In captivity, their food is often dusted with calcium and vitamin supplements to keep them healthy.
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The red-eyed crocodile skink is a small, stunningly unique lizard that looks like it stepped straight out of a fantasy movie. Adults reach only 7-9 inches in length (including their tail) and weigh just 36-45 grams - about the weight of a few coins. Their most striking feature is the bright orange or red-orange scales surrounding their eyes, which stand out dramatically against their dark brown or black head. Their body is covered in four rows of raised, pointed scales running down their back that look remarkably like crocodile armor, giving them their common name. Their coloring is typically dark brown to black on top with a cream or tan belly, providing excellent camouflage among the leaf litter of their forest home.
Red-eyed crocodile skinks have fascinating behaviors that set them apart from many other reptiles. They're one of the few lizard species where both parents actively participate in caring for their offspring. Females lay only one egg at a time (occasionally two), and both parents take turns guarding it for the 60-90 day incubation period - a rare behavior in the reptile world. They're also surprisingly vocal for lizards, producing squeaking or barking sounds when frightened or stressed. When threatened, red-eyed crocodile skinks often freeze completely and may play dead, relying on their camouflage rather than trying to flee. They're shy, secretive animals that spend most of their time hiding and are most active during the low-light hours of dawn and dusk.
In recent years, red-eyed crocodile skinks have become increasingly popular as exotic pets due to their unique dragon-like appearance. However, they're not ideal for handling - they're easily stressed, prefer to hide, and may drop their tails or vocalize in distress when picked up. Wild populations are not extensively studied, but habitat loss from deforestation in New Guinea is a potential concern for their future. The pet trade has also put some pressure on wild populations, though captive breeding programs are becoming more successful. For now, red-eyed crocodile skinks are not considered endangered, but continued monitoring and habitat protection will be important to ensure these remarkable little dragons continue to thrive in their rainforest homes.
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