This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (May 2021) |
Nessia hickanala, also known as the shark-headed snake skink[2] and Hickanala nessia, is a species of skink endemic to island of Sri Lanka.[3]
| Nessia hickanala | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Scincidae |
| Genus: | Nessia |
| Species: | N. hickanala
|
| Binomial name | |
| Nessia hickanala Deraniyagala, 1940[1]
| |
Description
editMidbody scales rows 2–21. Body is elongated and limbless. Head flattened, wedge-shaped. Eyes greatly reduced. Lower eyelid comprising three transparent scales. Ears are small. Dorsal scales enlarged. Dorsum and venter are pinkish brown. Scales dark brown.
Distribution and habitat
editA fossorial skink, known only from the dry North West. One specimen was found from a depth of 6 cm under a heap of coconut branches at Pomparippu, Snout 8 km from the coast. Species is also known from Wilpattu National Park.
Ecology and diet
editInhabits lowlands, under 50m.
Reproduction
edit2 eggs are laid in loose soil.
References
edit- ^ Deraniyagala, P. E. P. (1940). "A new apodal lizard, Nessia hickanala, from Ceylon". Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London. 152 (1): 37–39. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8312.1940.tb00243.x.
- ^ "Tetrapod Reptiles of Sri Lanka". Biodiversity of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
- ^ Nessia hickanala at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 29 May 2021.
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