Ctenotus taeniolatus

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Family

Scincidae (Skinks)

Genus

Ctenotus

Species

taeniolatus

Common name/s

Copper-tailed Skink

Distinguishing Features

The Copper-tailed Skink is a remarkable looking lizard. Its body is coloured with stripes that run from the back of the head to partway down the tail. Along the centre of the back runs a black stripe, edged with white. A coppery stripe is present each side of the central stripe, followed by alternating black and white stripes down the lizard's sides. The tail is bright coppery-orange. The Copper-tailed Skink is the smallest of the Ctenotus species in the ACT. Its maximum length is around 20cm, with an average length of around 15cm, with about two thirds of this length been made up by the tail.

Similar Species

The Striped Skink (Ctenotus robustus ) bears some resemblance to the Copper-tailed Skink, however, it is larger and bears speckled sides rather than the pure stripes of the Copper-tailed Skink.

Distribution

The range of the Copper-tailed Skink stretches along the eastern parts of Queensland, NSW and into northeast Victoria. In the ACT, the lizard prefers the warmer areas to the north and east of the territory. The skink has been known to inhabit gardens adjoining nature reserves.

Country of Origin

Australia

Survey Techniques

Pitfall trapping and hand searching can be used in the survey of this species.

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - National

The Copper-tailed Skink is not considered threatened under the EPBC Act 1999.

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - Regional

The lizard is not listed in a threatened category in the ACT.

LSCCES Population

Unknown.

Associated vegetation community

The Copper-tailed Skink occupies stony areas of dry sclerophyll forest, woodlands, heathland and grasslands.

Limiting Resources

The species is limited in the urban area by appropriate rocky areas which are free of disturbance from predators including pets.

Breeding

The Copper-tailed Skink lays clutches of around four eggs in crevices or burrows under rocks. These eggs are usually laid in spring, and hatch in the summer.

Behaviour

The Copper-tailed Skink is diurnal, spending time basking during the day. It is ground dwelling, and digs burrows or tunnels under rock, which it uses for shelter and hibernation.

Functional Group

Insectivore.

Food Species

The Copper-tailed Skink feeds on a variety of arthropods.

Predators

The Copper-tailed Skink is known to be preyed upon by snakes.

Interesting Fact

The lizard's bright tail can be readily dropped when threatened. It is thought to assist the species to evade predators, who attack the tail first.

Females of the species are much larger than the males.

This species, unlike many lizards, stores fat only in its tail, and not also in body tissue. This is an issue for the skinks if they lose their tales when evading predators.