Ctenotus robustus | |
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Hat Head National Park, Australia | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Family: | Scincidae |
Genus: | Ctenotus |
Species: | C. robustus
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Binomial name | |
Ctenotus robustus |
The eastern striped skink (Ctenotus robustus) is a species of skink found in a wide variety of habitats around Australia.[3] They are long-tailed, fast moving skinks that are quite large, growing to a maximum length of about 30 cm (including the tail which can make up around 2/3 of its length).[3][4] This skink is mostly brown with a white-edged black stripe running down the length of its back and tail with broad brown stripes along the side of the body with rows of white spots.[3] The sides become lighter, turning into an off-white colour towards the underside of the skink, running from the groin to the chin.[4] The striped skink (Ctenotus robustus) is similar in appearance to the spotted-back skink (Ctenotus uber orientalis) with the main identifying difference being the solid stripe running down the back of C. robustus whereas C. uber orientalis has a row of dots.[4]
The eastern striped skink is a wary diurnal skink that typically inhabits mostly open areas with the option of shelter in grass, low shrubs or rocks, and will burrow under rocks or logs when seeking shelter.[3]