Shrubland Pale-flecked Morethia - Morethia obscura

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Shrubland Pale-flecked Morethia - Morethia obscura

Morethia obscura is one of the Flecked Skinks from the Scincidae family. It is reasonably common in the Esperance sandy heath region and in addition, distributed throughout the wheatbelt and across the Nullarbor, through southern SA and into the western areas of NSW and Victoria. However, its appearance varies considerably over its range from a lizard with few to no dorsal flecks, to extensive makings as the Esperance form above displays.

Besides the distinctive flecks, it can also be identified by the scales on its head and its five fingers and toes. The diamond shaped scale in the centre of the head and between the eyes, is with this species the largest scale with no corners cleaved off by a small separate scale. Also there are two small scales immediately above each non-blinking eye, whereas most other similar looking skinks have only one.

The Shrubland Pale-flecked Morethia grows to 14 cm (nearly 6”) in overall length and can be very fast making it difficult to photograph. The one above fell into a pit-trap and had dug itself a cosy underground shelter, so finding them in the first place can also be a problem, although they will seek shelter under logs or anything capable of concealment. Normally they stay close to vegetation, rarely venturing into the open except to dash to other cover.

These fast moving skinks are excellent hunters and use their speed to catch small grasshoppers, crickets, cockroaches and other invertebrates. Like most of the smaller skinks, they lay clutches of eggs in loose sand or undercover that are left without further parental assistance.

Jewelled Sandplain Ctenotus - Ctenotus gemmula

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Jewelled Sandplain Ctenotus - Ctenotus gemmula

A similar looking lizard to Ctenotus labillardieri the Red-legged Skink, but with an additional uneven black marking along the edge of the back, also the legs are not red. It differs from the Chain-striped Heath Ctenotus, Ctenotus catenifer (that also occurs in the region), by the black leg markings that are finely peppered in C. catenifer and strongly marked in C. gemmula.

The above skink was found after a bushfire on sandy heath, the heath habitat being another identification feature. Note the length of the tail, it is very much longer than the snout to vent length. This is yet another identification aid. Photography wise, the silvery brown back and the white sand was a bit reflective and over-exposed the photo a little, but I felt there was enough detail to include it here.

These lizards are also known as Comb-eared Skinks because just forward of the ear openings are comb-like scales. These can just be seen in one of the above photos, but are more clearly shown on the Red-legged Skink photos, Ctenotus labillardieri.

Western Three-lined Skink - Acritoscincus trilineatus

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Western Three-lined Skink - Acritoscincus trilineatus

Not much of a photo, but it does show enough for identification purposes. I have not spent much time photographing skinks, as they tend to quickly disappear into the bush being most uncooperative when it comes to remaining still long enough to focus the camera. However, this coming spring/summer period I hope to rectify the situation and with a little luck, get better photos along with additional species.

The above species has five fine black distinctive stripes running down its back. On the flanks the broad black stripe is bordered top and bottom by a fine white stripe, which I presume is where the common name of Three-Lined Skink originates. In the Eastern States there is an Eastern Three-lined Skink, A. duperreyi, where the white stripes are much bolder, making the common name more obvious. The local species is also known as the Southwestern Cool Skink, which is probably more appropriate as it prefers the cooler southern parts of WA.

During the breeding season mature males (and some females) develop a red splash on the chin and sides of their neck. Their preferred habitat are damp spots within dense vegetation around swamps, although they are partial to basking on low raised structures like sandy mounds, rocks or logs. They are active during the day hunting small invertebrates.

Four-toed Mulch Skink - Hemiergis peronii peronii

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Four-toed Mulch Skink - Hemiergis peronii peronii

Each autumn I slash walking tracks around my property, which often leaves a heap of cut vegetation to one side, thereby providing very good cover for frogs and small lizards. Whilst looking for a particular frog in a moist spot under this vegetation, I came across this little guy. It was very cooperative and just sat on my hand whilst I got my camera out, but quickly disappeared once I returned it to the slashed material.

This Mulch Skink grows to around 200 mm total length (8"), so the one in the photo is a juvenile and will probably become lighter in color when it matures. The four toes can be clearly seen and separates it from the similar looking Five-toed Mulch Skink, which also occurs in the Esperance region. They both have the spotted flanks that is a feature of these species.

Red-legged Ctenotus - Ctenotus labillardieri

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Red-legged Ctenotus - Ctenotus labillardieri

I was quietly sitting on this granite outcrop, when this skink popped out from under a rock to see what I was doing. Apparently rocky outcrops are its preferred habitat. You can see in the photos above why they call it red-legged and that feature separates it from other skinks, although its markings can vary considerably. Another consistent feature of this lizard is the continuos line separating the back from the flanks. It grows to around 8 inches (200 mm) in length.