Re. 5a. MABUYA CARINATA(Keel- scaled Skink)

 

Phylum : Chordata

Class   : Reptilia

Order  : Squamata

Family : Scincidae

Genus : Mabuya

Species  : carinata

DESCRIPTION

Eutropis carinata, commonly known as the keeled Indian mabuya, many-keeled grass skink or (ambiguously) "golden skink", is a species of skink found in South Asia. Body robust; snout moderate, obtuse. Lower eyelids scaly; vertebral scales smooth. Ear-opening roundish, sub-triangular. Brown to olive or bronze in color above, uniform or with dark-brown or black spots, or longitudinal streaks along the lateral margins of the scales. Sides are dark-brown or chestnut, with or without light spots. Frequently found in Bangladesh, India (except in the North-West), Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal & Sri Lanka and Possibly in Bhutan. Crickets, caterpillars, beetles, and earthworms and even small vertebrates are known to be consumed. Oviparous; clutches of 2-20 eggs are laid at a time in a self-excavated hole or under fallen logs, between August and September. Eggs are measuring 11 * 17 mm. Hatchlings emerge between May and June, measure 12–12.5 mm. The male reproductive cycle in Mysore, (southern India) is characterized by peak testicular size and maximum spermatogenic activity and steroidogenic activity during Oct-November which coincides with the female reproductive cycle generally in the dry, post- rainy season of the year. 

IUCN Status: Least Concern