Thai National Parks

Spotted forest skink, Maculated forest skink or Stream-side skink (Bengali-তিলা অঞ্জন, তিলা আরজিনা) (Sphenomorphus maculatus) is a species of skink found in China, South Asia and Southeast Asia.

Description/Identification

Physical Structure: Head tapered and flat. Tail tapered and as long as two times of snout-vent length. Trunk and eyelid covered with scales. Scales on the back towards the tail larger. Upper side of the head, body and tail is brown, with smooth scales, and faint darker markings. The throat and belly are pale and immaculate. On the flanks, beneath the dark stripe, a mottled zone comprising yellowish and brown spots.

Length: Maximum: 19 cm., Common: 17 cm.(SVL. 6 cm.).

Maximum published weight: ? g.

Distribution

Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China (S Yunnan, SE Xizang = Tibet), India (Darjeeling, Andaman and Nicobar Islands), Myanmar, N. Thailand, Nepal, New Guinea, Sunda region (Brunei, East Timor, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore), and Vietnam.

Habitat

Terrestrial; nocturnal; inhabits the vicinity of streams and small rivers in lowland and hilly areas. Found foraging among rocks and vegetation right at the waters edge.

Diet

Feeds on small insects and invertebrates.

Reproduction

Oviparous. Courtship and mating behavior is strictly ritualized and starts in April-June. Hatchlings emerge at the end of August-September [http://www.linknovate.com/publication/autecology-and-mating-behaviour-of-the-spotted-forest-skink-sphenomorphus-maculatus-blyth-1853-in-the-monsoon-forest-of-cat-tien-national-park-southern-vietnam-1699676/.

Uses

No known practical uses. Play rolls in echo-system by eating various types of insects and otherwise.

Threat to humans

Non-venomous and harmless to humans.

IUCN threat status

Not Evaluated (NE).

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