Part of the animals.im family from REALLYBYTE, Isle of ManEtsy shop · info@reallybyte.com
skinks.animals.im
Home / Sources
Further reading

Sources and further reading

The scientific papers, databases and organisations behind the facts on this site. If you want to go deeper, start here.

  1. Uetz, P., Freed, P., Aguilar, R., Reyes, F., Kudera, J. & Hošek, J. (eds). The Reptile Database (species accounts for sizes, ranges and reproduction). www.reptile-database.org/
  2. Chapple, D.G. et al. (2023). Biology of the world’s skinks: diversity, life history and macroecology. Ecology and Evolution 13: e10791. doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10791
  3. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. www.iucnredlist.org/
  4. Hedges, S.B. (2014). The high-level classification of skinks (Reptilia, Squamata, Scincomorpha). Zootaxa 3765(4): 317–338. doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3765.4.2
  5. Maladen, R.D., Ding, Y., Li, C. & Goldman, D.I. (2009). Undulatory swimming in sand: subsurface locomotion of the sandfish lizard. Science 325: 314–318. doi.org/10.1126/science.1172490
  6. Maladen, R.D. et al. (2011). Mechanical models of sandfish locomotion reveal principles of high performance subsurface sand-swimming (sand-swimming robot). International Journal of Robotics Research. doi.org/10.1177/0278364911402406
  7. Stadler, A.T. et al. (2016). Clean and dry: the sandfish nose filters out sand. Journal of Experimental Biology 219. doi.org/10.1242/jeb.138107
  8. Hetherington, T.E. (1989). Use of vibratory cues for detection of insect prey by the sandswimming lizard Scincus scincus. Animal Behaviour 37. doi.org/10.1016/0003-3472(89)90118-8
  9. Brandt, J.F. (1829). On Scincus officinalis, the apothecary’s skink. Archiv der Pharmazie. doi.org/10.1002/ardp.18290300302
  10. Rodriguez, Z.B., Perkins, S.L. & Austin, C.C. (2018). Multiple origins of green blood in New Guinea lizards. Science Advances 4: eaao5017. doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aao5017
  11. Skinner, A., Lee, M.S.Y. & Hutchinson, M.N. (2008). Rapid and repeated limb loss in a clade of scincid lizards. BMC Evolutionary Biology 8: 310. doi.org/10.1186/1471-2148-8-310
  12. Laird, M.K., Thompson, M.B. & Whittington, C.M. (2019). Facultative oviparity in a viviparous skink (Saiphos equalis). Biology Letters 15: 20180827. doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2018.0827
  13. Blackburn, D.G. (2015). Evolution of vertebrate viviparity and specializations for fetal nutrition: a quantitative and qualitative analysis. Journal of Morphology 276: 961–990. doi.org/10.1002/jmor.20272
  14. Blackburn, D.G., Vitt, L.J. & Beuchat, C.A. (1984). Eutherian-like reproductive specializations in a viviparous reptile (Mabuya). PNAS 81: 4860–4863. doi.org/10.1073/pnas.81.15.4860
  15. Badiane, A., Carazo, P., Price-Rees, S.J., Ferrando-Bernal, M. & Whiting, M.J. (2018). Why blue tongue? A potential UV-based deimatic display in a lizard. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 72: 104. doi.org/10.1007/s00265-018-2512-8
  16. Bull, C.M. (2000). Monogamy in lizards. Behavioural Processes 51: 7–20. doi.org/10.1016/S0376-6357(00)00115-7
  17. Leu, S.T. et al. (2015). Long-term monogamy in the sleepy lizard (Tiliqua rugosa). Ethology 121. doi.org/10.1111/eth.12390
  18. Bull, C.M. et al. (2000). Recognition of conspecifics by scent in the gidgee skink, Egernia stokesii. Journal of Herpetology 34. doi.org/10.2307/1565244
  19. Cooper, W.E. & Vitt, L.J. (1985). Blue tails and autotomy: enhancement of predation avoidance in juvenile skinks. Zeitschrift für Tierpsychologie 70. doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0310.1985.tb00518.x
  20. Dial, B.E. & Fitzpatrick, L.C. (1983). Lizard tail autotomy: function and energetics of postautotomy tail movement in Scincella lateralis. Science 219: 391–393. doi.org/10.1126/science.219.4583.391
  21. Regenerated lizard tails: cartilage tube replaces vertebrae (2019). Scientific Reports 9. doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-55231-6
  22. Olesen, J.M. & Valido, A. (2003). Lizards as pollinators and seed dispersers: an island phenomenon. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 18: 177–181. doi.org/10.1016/S0169-5347(03)00004-1
  23. North, S.G., Bullock, D.J. & Dulloo, M.E. (1994). Changes in the vegetation and reptile populations on Round Island, Mauritius, following eradication of rabbits. Biological Conservation 67. doi.org/10.1016/0006-3207(94)90004-3
  24. Emery, J.-P. et al. (2021). The lost lizards of Christmas Island: a retrospective assessment of factors driving the collapse of a native reptile community. Conservation Science and Practice. doi.org/10.1111/csp2.358
  25. Parks Australia: Protecting Lister’s gecko and blue-tailed skinks (founder animals taken into captivity, 2009–10). parksaustralia.gov.au/news/protecting-listers-gecko-and-blue-tailed-skinks/
  26. Christmas Island National Park: Blue-tailed skink translocation update. christmasislandnationalpark.gov.au/news/blue-tailed-skink-translocation-update/
  27. Australian Government, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Species Profile and Threats Database (Christmas Island blue-tailed skink; pygmy blue-tongue; Christmas Island forest skink listing advice). www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/species
  28. The Conversation (2014). Vale ‘Gump’, the last known Christmas Island forest skink. theconversation.com/vale-gump-the-last-known-christmas-island-forest-skink-30252
  29. South Australian Museum: Pygmy bluetongue research. www.samuseum.sa.gov.au/pygmy-bluetongue
  30. Armstrong, G. & Reid, J. (1992). The rediscovery of the Adelaide pygmy bluetongue Tiliqua adelaidensis (Peters, 1863). Herpetofauna 22(2): 3–6. doi.org/10.5962/p.420551
  31. Department of Conservation. Conservation status of reptiles in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2025. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 50. www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/science-and-technical/nztcs50.pdf
  32. Department of Conservation: Grand and Otago skinks. www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/reptiles-and-frogs/lizards/skinks/grand-and-otago-skinks/
  33. New Zealand Herpetological Society: Oligosoma grande. www.reptiles.org.nz/herpetofauna/native/oligosoma-grande
  34. Te Ara, the Encyclopedia of New Zealand: Ngārara – reptiles. teara.govt.nz/en/ngarara-reptiles
  35. Pliny the Elder, Natural History (trans. Bostock & Riley), on the scincus. cuny.manifoldapp.org/
  36. Companion Animal Parasite Council: Platynosomum (lizard-poisoning fluke) in cats. capcvet.org/guidelines/platynosomum/
  37. Manx Wildlife Trust: State of Nature 2024, reptiles and amphibians. www.mwt.im/state-nature-2024-reptiles-amphibians
  38. Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (UK): slow-worm and native reptiles. www.arc-trust.org/
  39. Australian Museum: Eastern blue-tongue, blotched blue-tongue and shingleback profiles. australian.museum/
  40. Smithsonian’s National Zoo: Prehensile-tailed skink. nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/prehensile-tailed-skink
  41. South Australia Department for Environment and Water: Backyard bluetongues. www.environment.sa.gov.au/goodliving/posts/2017/11/backyard-bluetongues
  42. CITES: Appendices I, II and III; CoP19 (2022) decisions on Tiliqua adelaidensis. cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php
  43. UK Government: Animal Welfare Act 2006. www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/45/contents
  44. Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons: Find a Vet. findavet.rcvs.org.uk/
  45. Unusual Pet Vets (Australia): Blue-tongued skink care sheet (veterinary practice). www.unusualpetvets.com.au/wp-content/uploads/files/blue-tongued-skink-care-sheet.pdf
  46. Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic: Blue-tongued skink care guide (common health problems). www.birdexoticsvet.com/blue-tongued-skink-care-guide
  47. Baines, F.M. et al. (2016). How much UVB does my reptile need? The UV-Tool. Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 4(1). www.jzar.org/jzar/article/view/150
  48. ReptiFiles: Blue tongue skink care guide (keeper-oriented husbandry reference; temperature, food and substrate chapters). reptifiles.com/blue-tongue-skink/care-guide
  49. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Reptiles and amphibians (Salmonella and pet reptiles). www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/about/reptiles-and-amphibians.html

Books

A few printed references for going further. Publication details are taken from library records; newer editions may exist.

  • Cogger, H.G. (2014). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, 7th edn. CSIRO Publishing. ISBN 9780643100350. Find on Amazon UK
  • Wilson, S. & Swan, G. (2013). A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, 4th edn. New Holland. ISBN 9781921517280. Find on Amazon UK
  • Pianka, E.R. & Vitt, L.J. (2003). Lizards: Windows to the Evolution of Diversity. University of California Press. ISBN 9780520234017. Find on Amazon UK
  • Wareham, D.C. (2014). Blue-Tongued Skinks. i-5 Publishing. ISBN 9781882770991. Find on Amazon UK
  • Walls, J.G. (1996). Blue-Tongued Skinks: Keeping and Breeding Them in Captivity. TFH Publications. ISBN 9780793820566. Find on Amazon UK

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

A note on numbers

Species counts, sizes and conservation statuses change as research continues. Where figures vary between sources, we give rounded values or ranges. Care recommendations reflect widely used keeper guidance at the time of writing and are not a substitute for advice from a reptile vet.

Photographs are credited individually on the credits page.

WhatsApp