Biology
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Very little is known about the natural ecology of the Bermuda skink but recent research indicates it eats a range of insects and other arthropods including beetles and cockroaches (2), and occasionally the fruit of the prickly pear cactus (4). Individuals may actively forage for food by burrowing with their clawed feet under rocks or in the soil, or will sit and wait for prey to come past them and then give chase (2). Unlike the introduced and more common anole lizards (Anolis spp), the skinks do not climb plants or trees but they are excellent at climbing rocks and stone walls (2). These skinks are more active above ground in the summer months, which led people to believe that they went into winter hibernation; recent results however, show that they are in fact active throughout the year (2).
Conservation
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The Bermuda Skink Project, an initiative of the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo (BAMZ), has been attempting to reach a greater understanding of the ecology and behaviour of these rare lizards (3). These steps are vital if an effective conservation management strategy is to be put into action. Data on population numbers and distribution is also severely lacking and people in Bermuda are encouraged to keep a vigilant eye out for the species (3). BAMZ is also developing captive breeding techniques that may prove vital for supplying individuals for a possible reintroduction campaign (3).
Description
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The Bermuda skink is a small robust lizard. The skin is shiny with conspicuous scales and adults are a dark brown/black colour on the back and salmon pink or light grey underneath. Juveniles and hatchlings are a lighter bronze, and have cream and black stripes along the sides. Hatchlings have sky blue tails that gradually fade and become brown/black with age (5). Females retain their stripes longer than males but both sexes eventually become completely dark. The sexes are similar in appearance but it has been observed that males have wider heads relative to their necks (2).
Habitat
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Inhabits rocky, coastal areas but may also be found in other areas such as old stone quarries and residential sites (2).
Range
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These lizards are the only terrestrial vertebrates endemic to Bermuda (3). Populations are found in isolated pockets all over the mainland and on offshore islands. The greatest known abundances can be found on many of the islets in Castle Harbour and at Spittal Pond, one of the island's largest nature reserves (5).
Status
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Classified as Critically Endangered (CR - B1+2bcde) on the IUCN Red List 2002 (1).
Threats
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Populations of the Bermuda skink have been decimated by human activities on the island of Bermuda. Habitat destruction, the introduction of predators and the recent encroachment of rubbish (5), have all contributed to the skink's currently precipitous status.
Distribution
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Continent: Caribbean
Distribution: Bermuda Islands
Type locality: Bermuda Island
Bermuda skink
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The Bermuda skink, longnose skink, or Bermuda rock lizard (Plestiodon longirostris)[2][3] is a critically endangered species and the only endemic land-living vertebrate of Bermuda.[4] It is a relatively small skink (a kind of lizard): adults reach an average snout-to-vent length of about 8 cm (3.1 in).
Description
Adult Bermuda skinks (also known as "rock lizards") have dark brown or black backs and are pinkish or light gray on the underside. Juveniles are lighter in color and have black stripes running along the sides of their bodies, which fade with age. Females are thought to retain the stripes longer than males. Adult males have larger heads. Hatchlings have bright blue tails. All have salmon orange cheeks and throat.
The Bermuda skink lives predominantly in rocky coastal areas. They feed on small invertebrates such as cockroaches or woodlice, but also on small terrestrial crustaceans.
While being more active during summer, the Bermuda skink does not hibernate, because the frost free winters allow it to be active year-round.
Distribution
The species occurs only in Bermuda, and exists mainly on some of the smaller islands and nature reserves on the mainland, where the populations are fragmented into isolated pockets.
Conservation
The Bermuda skink has been listed on the IUCN Red List as critically endangered. It is threatened primarily by habitat destruction, predators introduced by humans (such as cats, rats, American crows, chickens, great kiskadees, yellow-crowned night herons, cane toads and anoles), as well as by human litter: the Bermuda skink has tiny claws on its feet, but no friction pads, and when it gets trapped in cast-away empty glass bottles or soda cans, it cannot climb out and thus starves or dies of heat stress or dehydration.
The Bermuda skink is listed as protected under the 2003 Bermuda Protected Species Act.
Chester Zoo is attempting to increase numbers of the skink with its own captive breeding program.[5]
References
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- Wikipedia authors and editors
Bermuda skink: Brief Summary
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The Bermuda skink, longnose skink, or Bermuda rock lizard (Plestiodon longirostris) is a critically endangered species and the only endemic land-living vertebrate of Bermuda. It is a relatively small skink (a kind of lizard): adults reach an average snout-to-vent length of about 8 cm (3.1 in).
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- cc-by-sa-3.0
- droit d’auteur
- Wikipedia authors and editors
