The toeless snake skink (Nessia monodactyla), also known as the one-toed nessia, is a species of skink endemic to island of Sri Lanka.
Toeless Snake Skink | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Family: | Scincidae |
Genus: | Nessia |
Species: | N. monodactyla
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Binomial name | |
Nessia monodactyla (Gray, 1839)
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Habitat & distribution
editWidely distributed in the wet climatic zones from 400-1500m, and known localities include Kandy, Nawalapitiya, Deniyaya, and Peradeniya.
Description
editMidbody 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
editHides 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
edit2 eggs are laid in loose soil.