Monday 7 December 2009

That skinking feeling

I can't help feeling that rare wildlife ought to behave in a way that befits its conservation status. It should skulk a bit. Perhaps look furtive. It certainly shouldn't be running around inside the house.


This rare skink, Eulamprus tigrinus, was running around on the inside of the screen door a few nights ago. It's a Wet Tropics endemic and is listed as rare under the Queensland Government's Nature Conservation Act. I think I've found out why it's thought to be rare. People have been looking for it in the rainforest, but its natural habitat seems to be houses. Other records in the street come from spare rooms and kitchens, but not the scrub.