| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Squamata |
| Family | Scincidae |
| Genus | Scelotes (1) |
| Size | Snout-vent length: 80 – 105 mm (2) |
Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List 2007 (1).
While this peculiar reptile may look like a snake, it is actually a lizard. It lacks forelimbs but it does have tiny hindlimbs each bearing two claws (2). The body is covered with small, smooth scales and has a straw-coloured stripe along the back. Bordering this stripe are three rows of scales which bear dark purple-brown spots, creating the impression of three dark stripes on either side. The belly is yellowish-white to greyish-white and the underside of the tail is patterned with dark spots. The flattened head of Kasner’s dwarf burrowing skink has well-developed eyes with opaque lower eyelids and very small ear openings (2).
Occurs along the coast of the Western Cape Province, South Africa, from Lambert’s Bay to Vredenburg (2).
Little is known about the biology of Kasner’s dwarf burrowing skink, which is rarely encountered due to its underground lifestyle (4). Other Scelotes species are viviparous and give birth to between one and four young (2), and the majority of skinks feed on arthropods and insects (5).
As yet, there are no conservation measures known to be in place for Kasner’s dwarf burrowing skink.
For further information on conservation in the Western Cape, South Africa see:

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© Atherton de Villiers
Atherton de Villiers
Private Bag X5014
Stellenbosch, 7599
South Africa
adevilliers@capenature.co.za
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