Nessia monodactyla

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Toeless Snake Skink
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Nessia
Species:
N. monodactyla
Binomial name
Nessia monodactyla
(Gray, 1839)

The toeless snake skink (Nessia monodactyla), also known as the one-toed nessia, is a species of skink endemic to island of Sri Lanka.

Habitat & distribution[edit]

Widely distributed in the wet climatic zones from 400-1500m, and known localities include Kandy, Nawalapitiya, Deniyaya, and Peradeniya.

Description[edit]

Midbody scales rows 26-28. Body is slender and of equal girth, from head to tail. Snout short and obtuse. Lower eyelid with a transparent disk. Limbs lacking digits. Dorsum brown , dark or gray black.

Ecology & diet[edit]

Hides under rubble, decaying logs and in soil or humus in montane forests. When exposed, they immediately wriggle into loose soil or under rubble. Diet comprises insects.

Reproduction[edit]

2 eggs are laid in loose soil.

References[edit]