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Ocellated Skink (Chalcides ocellatus*)

[/vc_column_text][gap size=”12px” id=”” class=”” style=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1951″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_column_text]Mating Ocellated Skinks, Mesa, AZ. Photo by Robert Bowker[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1948″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” onclick=”img_link_large”][vc_column_text]Ocellated Skink, Mesa, AZ. Photo by Robert Bowker[/vc_column_text][gap size=”12px” id=”” class=”” style=””][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1949″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”img_link_large”][vc_column_text]Ocellated Skink, Mesa, AZ. Photo by B.K. Sullivan[/vc_column_text][gap size=”12px” id=”” class=”” style=””][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1950″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”img_link_large”][vc_column_text]Ocellated Skink, Mesa, AZ. Photo by B.K. Sullivan[/vc_column_text][gap size=”12px” id=”” class=”” style=””][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

Description

The Ocellated Skink (Chalcides ocellatus) occurs from Italy across the Mediterranean region and the Middle East to Pakistan, as well as much of northern Africa from Western Sahara, Mauritania, and Morocco east to Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia. Its native distribution is obscured by a long history of human-facilitated introductions, but it has recently been introduced to and become established in Great Britain, France, and Florida. The Ocellated Skink has also been introduced to and is now established in an urbanized area of at least 30 hectares in Mesa, Arizona, where it has been found in and around potted plants, block walls, planters, and shrubbery, as well as the interiors of garages and storerooms. The first confirmation of the species in Mesa was in 2007, but anecdotal reports extend back to 2001 (Gunn et al. 2012).  It can be transported unintentionally in ornamental plants and vegetative debris moved from place to place, but is also popular in the pet trade and is sold in many places around the globe.

This is a typical skink with smooth, glossy overlapping dorsal scales and relatively small limbs.  Throughout its range, dorsal color and pattern varies, but most have light-centered dark ocelli on a light brown or bronze to yellowish-green or grey background.  The ocelli may congregate to form dark bands, and some individuals have irregular, dark lateral stripes, while others lack ocelli.  Whether these pattern variants occur in Mesa is unknown. Most Mesa specimens have dorsal patterns as shown in the images above. The venter is usually white, and juveniles have a greenish tail. Maximum SVL is 149 mm. In a sample of 20 skinks from Mesa, individuals were 68-118 mm SVL and 160–230 mm total length (Gunn et al. 2012).

In its native range, the Ocellated Skink uses open ground for basking, and dense vegetation, rocks, or woody debris for cover. It is found in a variety of vegetation communities including open forest, Mediterranean scrub, coastal scrub, palm oases, as well as rural farms and gardens in urban areas.

Ocellated Skinks from Israel mature at about 68 (males) and 75 (females) mm SVL.  Mating and courtship likely take place in the spring in Mesa, and one or two litters of 2-20 are produced in the summer (see review in Goldberg 2014).  The species is ovoviviparous, in that the eggs are retained inside the body until almost the time of hatching.  It preys on various insects, arachnids, and small lizards, including its own young.  In captivity it also eats fruit, boiled eggs, and pieces of meat.

This status of this species has not been assessed by the IUCN. The Ocellated Skink is not listed as restricted live wildlife in Arizona. With a valid Arizona hunting license, four may be taken per year or held in possession. Given its current distribution in an urbanized area of Mesa, it is unlikely to adversely affect native amphibians, reptiles, or other species.  Whether the Ocellated Skink could become established in Arizona wildlands and what its effect might be there if it did are unknown.  Erring on the side of caution, the spread of this introduced, novel non-native species should be monitored and controlled if deemed a threat.

Suggested Reading:

Çiçek, K., and B. Göçmen. 2013. Food consumption of Ocellated Skink, Chalcides ocellatus (Forskal, 1775) (Squamata: Scincidae), from the Cyprus Island. Acta Herpetologica 8 (2): 167-170.

Goldberg, S.R. 2014. Reproduction in the Ocellated Skink, Chalcides ocellatus (Squamata: Scincidae) in Israel, already established in Mesa, AZ. Sonoran Herpetologist 27(3):59-61.

Gunn, J., R.W. Bowker, K.O. Sullivan, and B.K. Sullivan. 2012. An Old World skink, Chalcides ocellatus, with a long history  of anthropogenically assisted dispersal, now established  in Mesa, Arizona, USA. Herpetological Review 43(4):551-553.

Vigni, F.L. 2006. Swimming in the sand with the Ocellated Skink, Chalcides ocellatus. Reptilia 49:47-53.

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