Ocellated skink  (Chalcides ocellatus)

This species has not yet been assessed by the IUCN.

A typical skink in appearance, with an elongated body, smooth, shiny scales and relatively short limbs, the ocellated skink is named for the numerous black and white ocelli, or ‘eye spots’, on its back, which form bands across the body. The background colouration is light brown to yellowish green or grey, with a white underside, and the pattern of spots is variable, with some individuals lacking spots altogether (2) (4) (5) (6). Juveniles have a greenish tail, which becomes brown after half a year (5). A number of subspecies are recognised (1) (5).

The ocellated skink occurs across North Africa, southern Europe and into western Asia, including the Arabian Peninsula, and as far east as Pakistan (1) (6) (7) (8).

Usually preferring a mosaic of open ground for basking and dense vegetation cover for hiding, this skink is reported to inhabit open forest, Mediterranean scrub, patches of vegetation on coastal sands, and palm oases, as well as farms, cultivated fields, and even gardens and towns. It often burrows in leaf litter, and can be found in rock crevices and under stones or wood (4) (5).

A rather shy and secretive lizard, spending most of its time near or within cover (4) (5) (6), the ocellated skink is mostly active during the day, or at dawn and dusk during very hot weather (5) (6). It is an active forager, feeding on a variety of invertebrate prey, including beetles, snails, spiders, ants, termites and crickets, as well as small lizards and some plant material (5) (9). Like many other lizards (10), the ocellated skink is able to shed its tail if attacked by a predator, and is then usually able to regenerate a new one (5) (6).

The ocellated skink is inactive during colder months, hibernating underground in some areas. Activity gradually increases in spring, with mating usually occurring around April (3) (5). During the breeding season, male ocellated skinks may engage in ritualised combat, in which rival males alternately bite the other’s tail (5). The female gives birth to around five to ten live young, between April and September, after a gestation period estimated at two to three months (3) (5). The ocellated skink may live for up to 13 years in captivity (5).

There is little information available on the threats faced by the ocellated skink, although it is believed to be relatively common, and is often found in towns and in agricultural areas (5). However, the species appears to be readily available in the pet trade, with many specimens reported to be wild-caught (11), potentially posing a threat to the wild population.

There are no known conservation measures specifically in place for the ocellated skink, and the species has yet to be assessed by the IUCN (12). However, it is protected in Europe under Appendix II of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention) (13), and under Annex IV of the EU Habitats Directive (14).

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

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To find out more about this and other skink species, see:

• Halliday, T. and Adler, K. (2002) The New Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
• Schleich, H.H., Kästle, W. and Kabisch, K. (1995) Amphibians and Reptiles of North Africa. Koeltz Scientific Books, Koenigstein, Germany.
• J. Craig Venter Institute: Reptiles Database:
  http://www.jcvi.org/reptiles/search.php