Lined Writhing Skink | Karnala

[Abhishek Jamalabad]

This was shot in June 2011, had somehow forgotten to post it earlier. An unidentified skink, shot in my garden near Karnala.
It was about 3 inches long. Probably a juvenile, but haven't been able to find the species in any field book. Help with the ID will be appreciated...

Canon 500D, Canon 100mm Macro USM
SS 1/125
Av 5.6
ISO 1600
Cropped vertically.

Thanks, C&C awaited.

[Bibhav Behera]

Sure has a long tail. Beautiful species. THanks for sharing.

[Mrudul Godbole]

Good details. Nice to see this species. Thanks for sharing.

[Joshi Bhavya]

hi.. abhishekh... its look like you found rarest spices of skink.... Vosmer's Writhing Skink.
check out this link... hope this will help in ID.http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/ene...icle594108.ece

[Abhishek Jamalabad]

Does look very much like it, Bhavya! Thanks for the lead...

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Good to know that you are clicking some rare species in your garden. There is so much to be discovered/rediscovered and documented. That is the reason why I ask many youngsters to take up macro work.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Abhishek Jamalabad]

Got the exact ID- Lygosoma lineata (Lined Writhing Skink). It is distinguished from L. vosmaerii mainly by the colour of the tail.
L. lineata occurs in the northern Western Ghats and grows to about 6cm. Feeds mainly on small insects and is crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk).

Thanks again Bhavya for the heads up on the ID.

[Mrudul Godbole]

Good to know you could find the correct id. Well done. Thanks for sharing the details.

[Roopak Gangadharan]

Nice image and good information.

TFS
Roopak